Deputy Store Manager

Whittard of Chelsea; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 38,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly product allowance

Discretionary bonus scheme

Wellbeing resources & family-friendly"

Opportunities to connect across stores

Job summary

Whittard of Chelsea in London is seeking a Deputy Manager for our London Bridge and Westfield White City stores to support the Store Manager in delivering exceptional service and leading a brilliant team.

You'll coach colleagues, manage rotas, monitor performance, and ensure the store runs smoothly day-to-day while upholding Whittard’s visual standards and customer experience. This role also offers chances to engage with local communities and contribute to commercial goals.

Qualifications

• Experience leading teams in a retail environment and guiding staff to deliver exceptional service.
• Ability to coach, motivate, and develop colleagues by example.
• Strong commercial instincts; able to read reports and influence daily decisions.
• Proactive mindset with a bias for action and continuous improvement.
• Excellent organisation and time management while keeping customers at the centre of decisions.
• Genuine passion for creating brilliant customer experiences and sharing product knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead store teams, support the Store Manager, and drive high service standards.
• Assist with rostering, daily performance reviews, and coaching sessions.
• Monitor stock, deliveries, and H&S compliance to keep operations smooth.
• Maintain store visuals and presentation to meet Whittard’s standards.
• Collaborate with local businesses and marketing activities to boost store reach.

Skills

Leadership

Coaching & mentoring

Customer focus

Communication

Store operations

Tools

POS systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

At Whittard of Chelsea, we’ve been inspiring moments of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate delight since 1886. Behind every store experience is a leadership team that brings our story to life-through passion, performance, and pride.

We’re now looking for a Deputy Manager at our London Bridge and Westfield White City stores to support the Store Managers in delivering exceptional service, empowering a brilliant team, and helping the store run like clockwork. Whether you’re on the shop floor with a sample tray or reviewing daily performance with the team, you’ll be a key part of what makes our stores special.

A Day in the Life

You’ll be a trusted co-pilot to the Store Manager-leading the team, solving challenges in real time, and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. Your day will include:

Customer Connection

You’ll lead from the front-welcoming customers, showcasing our range, and making the everyday feel extraordinary. You’ll coach your team to bring our products to life through storytelling, tastings, and memorable service moments.

From giving live feedback to managing rotas and motivating through the busy spells, you’ll set the tone for a positive and high-performing team culture. You’ll help induct, train, and develop colleagues‑celebrating wins and building confidence every step of the way.

Commercial Focus

You’ll track KPIs like conversion and ATV, and work with your Store Manager to spot trends, adapt your approach, and implement ideas that drive performance.

Operational Efficiency

Stock counts, deliveries, H&S compliance‑you’ll make sure the operational engine of the store is running smoothly, efficiently, and safely. You’ll also ensure the store looks brilliant and meets Whittard’s visual standards every day.

Local Involvement

Whether it’s connecting with local businesses or supporting marketing activity, you’ll play a key role in building the store’s reputation and reach within the local community.

What Makes You Exceptional?

We’re looking for someone who’s ready to take their next step in leadership-and do it with energy, confidence, and a love for retail.

You’ll bring:

• Experience in a supervisory or assistant management role within a retail environment.
• A natural ability to coach, motivate, and lead by example.
• Strong commercial instincts, with confidence in reading reports and using data to influence daily decisions.
• A proactive mindset-someone who spots what needs doing and takes action.
• Great organisation and time management, juggling tasks while staying customer-focused.
• A genuine passion for creating brilliant customer experiences-and sharing your product knowledge with pride.

Why Whittard?

We’re proud of our heritage, but our focus is on the future-nurturing talent, building connection, and creating career paths for people who love what we do. As a Deputy Manager, you’ll get the support to grow your skills, lead your team, and take the next step when you’re ready.

You’ll also enjoy:

• Monthly product allowance – a little treat with every pay cheque.
• Discretionary bonus scheme – because great work should be recognised.
• Wellbeing resources & family-friendly policies – because we care about the whole you.
• Opportunities to connect across stores and head office – be part of something bigger.

… And much much more!

Whittard of Chelsea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We thrive to be a diverse and an inclusive organisation. We want to be a place where differences are recognised and celebrated, with a workforce that builds teams from all individualities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Together as a Whittard family, we continue to create a culture that encourages, supports, and inspires all our employees to have a voice, to make a positive difference in helping to develop our ambitious brand.