Deputy Manager - M&S St Thomas'

WHSmith Careers; Greater London; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary and pension

Holidays 33 days

Employee discounts up to 50%

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

WHSmith is seeking a Deputy Manager in Greater London to lead a store team, drive customer service excellence, and meet business objectives. You will guide colleagues on the shop floor, implement the trading plan, and foster a culture of learning and recognition.

The role emphasizes strong leadership, relationship-building, and the ability to support multiple stores in the area while ensuring safe and legal store operations.

Qualifications

• Leadership experience in retail or similar fast-paced environment.
• Ability to lead from the front and support the team on the shop floor.
• Flexibility to cover other stores in the area when needed.
• Strong relationship building and clear communication across all levels of seniority.

Responsibilities

• Guide and engage the team to deliver excellent standards and results.
• Align with the Trading plan and store objectives.
• Support learning, development and recognition within the team.
• Collaborate with Head Office to maximise local opportunities and community involvement.

Skills

Retail leadership

Team management

Communication skills

Employee training

Job description

As a Deputy Manager you’ll lead and inspire your team to provide exceptional customer service, meet business objectives and create a working environment that helps our colleagues to develop and achieve. We want you, our customers and our colleagues to be proud to share their journey with us, whether it’s a commute to work/education, or a holiday abroad.

What being a Deputy Manager is all about?

• Guiding and engaging your team to deliver excellent standards and results in line with the Trading plan
• Creating a culture of learning, support and recognition - spotting opportunities for development of personal skills, product knowledge and self-awareness to support our colleagues in an environment where everyone feels valued and welcome
• Working with Head Office to share your knowledge of the local environment to maximise local opportunities and community involvement
• Creating a sense of pride within the store to ensure both colleagues and customer facilities are of a good standard, and that we are operating safely and legally

What our Store Leadership Team would love to see:

• Current/recent retail (or similar) leadership experience (preferably in a fast-paced environment) with working knowledge of KPI’s such as ATV.
• Experience of proactively leading from the front, getting stuck in, and helping your team on the shop floor
• Flexibility of approach that will allow you to support other stores in the area when needed
• Ability to build strong relationships and communicate clearly and engagingly at all levels of seniority
• Experience of supporting employee training and development, and motivating teams adopting an ‘engage’ rather than ‘tell’ approach

How we reward our teams:

We know you’ll work hard to make WH Smith a success and our customers happy, so as well as your salary, pension scheme, holidays (Management - 33 days including bank holidays) (Hourly paid 6.6 weeks including bank holidays) and employee discounts (up to 50%), we’ll reward you with a range of deals from retail partners that will help you save money and make memories, whether a delicious meal, an adventurous day out, or tickets to see the latest blockbuster.

Whatever the future brings, our Employee Assistance Programme will support you with help and guidance for your wellbeing whether physical, mental or financial.

About us:

WHSmith has a remarkable heritage and we are growing particularly in our airports, hospitals, rail stations and motorway services. Our aim is simple, to offer our products to everyone on any of life’s journeys. Our InMotion brand, a leading digital accessories business, continues to grow and develop, offering an amazing customer experience with all the latest tech. We have created great partnerships with the likes of M&S and Costa Coffee, ‘broaden our offering’ to our customers throughout the UK. That’s why, as we continue our journey, our aim is simple: to make every one of life’s journeys better!

WHSmith are proud to be an inclusive employer, we want our colleagues to feel welcome, and free to be themselves with us.