Deputy Manager - Cork

Grafton Group; Cork; Hybrid; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company Pension

Colleague Discount

Maternity Leave

Paternity Leave

Fertility Leave

Cycle to Work

Health Insurance (Discounted)

Bonus Scheme

Sick Pay

Parental Leave

Flexible Annual Leave

Paid Charity Leave

Service Days

Flexiwage

Savings Club

Educational Assistance

Wellness Initiatives

Job summary

Woodie’s, Ireland’s leading DIY, Home & Garden retailer, seeks a Deputy Manager to lead store operations and drive commercial performance. You will develop high-performing teams and gain exposure to a clear path toward Store Manager.

Join a journey of rapid career progression with a strong focus on customer service, merchandising, and compliance across a growing retail network. 39-hour week and benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Retail management experience in a fast-paced environment (3+ years).
• Proven ability to drive sales, budgets, and profitability.
• Strong leadership and coaching capabilities.
• Commitment to excellent customer service and store presentation.
• Experience with stock control, cash handling, and compliance.
• Comfort with change and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Effective communication and influencing skills across teams.
• Resilient, adaptable, and solutions-focused.
• Proficient in retail systems and MS Office.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily store operations and deliver exceptional customer service.
• Drive sales, profitability, and KPIs through merchandising and stock management.
• Coach and develop a diverse team, including recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Retail management

Commercial acumen

People leadership

Customer focus

Operational excellence

Change leadership

Communication

Resilience

IT & systems

Job description

Woodie’s is Ireland’s leading retailer in the DIY, Home, and Garden sector, with 35 stores nationwide and a thriving online presence. We are passionate about helping communities across Ireland create better homes and gardens, offering an unrivalled selection of over 30,000 products—from essential DIY tools and paints to stylish homewares, gardening supplies, and fitted kitchens.

At Woodie’s, our people are at the heart of everything we do. With 1,500 colleagues across our stores and Support Office, we are proud to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace. Woodie’s is more than just a place to work—it’s a place to grow. We invest in our colleagues through ongoing training, development programmes, and clear career pathways, empowering you to reach your full potential. Join Woodie’s and become part of a dynamic, customer-focused team that values innovation, collaboration, and personal growth.

Role Overview

Woodie’s is seeking an ambitious and commercially astute Deputy Manager who will be developed and supported to succeed within the estate. This is a unique opportunity for a dynamic retail leader to join Ireland’s leading DIY, Home & Garden retailer, with a clear and accelerated path to Store Manager. You will play a critical role in leading store operations, driving commercial performance, and developing high-performing teams, while learning every aspect of store management in preparation for your next step.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Oversee daily store operations, ensuring exceptional customer service, operational excellence, and compliance with all company standards and policies.
• Drive sales, profitability, and key performance indicators (KPIs) through effective merchandising, stock management, and commercial decision-making.
• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse team, fostering a culture of engagement, accountability, and continuous improvement. Support recruitment, onboarding, and ongoing training of store colleagues.
• Identify and nurture future leaders within the team, supporting their career progression and ensuring robust succession planning.
• Champion a customer‑first culture, resolving escalated queries and complaints, and ensuring the highest standards of service and presentation.
• Ensure full compliance with health & safety, security, cash handling, and all statutory requirements.
• Lead and implement new initiatives, process improvements, and change projects to enhance store performance and customer experience.
• Build strong relationships with colleagues, senior management, and external partners to support store and company objectives.

Essential Skills and Behaviours

• Retail Management Experience: Minimum 3 years’ experience in a fast‑paced retail environment, ideally with a leading grocery, DIY, or home retailer. Experience as an Assistant/Deputy Manager or equivalent is essential.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of delivering sales growth, managing budgets, and driving profitability.
• People Leadership: Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop teams, with a passion for coaching and talent development.
• Customer Focus: Strong commitment to delivering world‑class customer service and creating a welcoming store environment.
• Operational Excellence: Experience in stock control, merchandising, cash management, and compliance.
• Change Leadership: Ability to lead change, embrace new ways of working, and drive continuous improvement.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence at all levels.
• Resilience & Adaptability: Positive, solutions‑focused attitude, with the ability to thrive in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• IT & Systems: Proficient in retail systems, MS Office, and data analysis.

This role is ideal for an ambitious retail leader seeking rapid career progression and the opportunity to make a significant impact in a market‑leading business.

Successful candidates will be asked to demonstrate competency & experience in the areas listed above and provide examples of how they embody our values,

We are one Team We are Ambitious We are Helpful

We do the Right Thing We are Brilliant for our Customers

The specifics:

• Full time 39-hour contract
• Working week 5 out of 7 days; every second weekend and Bank holiday required

Our benefits include:

• Company Pension for all colleagues
• Colleague Discount – Up to 35% off in-store purchases
• Maternity Leave: Up to 20 weeks paid maternity leave
• Paternity Leave: Up to 2 weeks paid paternity leave
• Fertility Leave: Up to 5 days paid per year
• Cycle to work & Tax-Saver Schemes
• Discounted health insurance
• Bonus Scheme
• Sick Pay Scheme
• Parental leave
• Flexible Annual Leave: Purchase up to 2 weeks additional leave per year
• Paid Charity Leave: Make a positive impact with two paid days for charity work!
• Service Days: Increased annual leave entitlements linked to service
• Flexiwage: Choose how you budget & manage your pay frequency!
• Savings Club
• Educational Assistance
• Wellness initiatives

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at Woodie's! We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, colour, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Please contact us to request accommodation.