Deputy General Manager

Deputy General Manager

Full-Time 30000 - 40000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a flagship store, driving performance and coaching your team to success.
  • Company: Join Boots, a leading brand known for innovation and customer care.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, discounts, flexible benefits, and career growth opportunities.
  • Other info: Great potential for career progression into senior leadership roles.
  • Why this job: Step up your career while making a real impact in a dynamic retail environment.
  • Qualifications: Retail management experience and a passion for developing others are essential.

The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.

Ready to step up and experience what it's really like to run a flagship store-while still being supported as you grow? At Boots, becoming a Deputy General Manager is a step up in your career-giving you the opportunity to lead at scale at the heart of one of our busiest and most exciting stores. These are flagship stores that showcase the very best of our brand and are often among the first to bring new products, services and innovations to life.

You'll be at the centre of it all, bringing structure and energy to each day-setting direction in morning huddles, tracking performance as it unfolds, and closing the day with clear priorities for tomorrow. Using data, instinct and experience, you'll respond quickly to keep operations running smoothly, teams focused, and customers and patients receiving the brilliant experience they expect from Boots. This is a hands‑on role. You'll spend your time on the shop floor, staying connected to everything happening across retail, pharmacy and operations. You'll ensure the store operates safely and compliantly, creating an environment where teams can deliver at their best today while continuing to improve for tomorrow.

A key part of your role will be developing others. You'll coach and support a team of Assistant Managers. You'll play an important role in enabling them to lead their own teams and areas with confidence and understand the bigger picture-spotting potential, tailoring your approach and helping others grow. You'll report into and work closely with the General Manager, who is based in‑store. This provides day‑to‑day exposure to an experienced leader, where you'll help shape performance, influence decisions and gain real insight into what it takes to deliver at this level- a true partnership. You'll also work closely with directors of stores and regional teams, continuing to build your own leadership capability while supporting others to grow in theirs, opening up opportunities for you to progress into more senior roles if that's the direction you choose.

This role is ideal for Store Managers of small or medium‑sized stores ready for the next step, as well as experienced Assistant Managers in larger stores who are already operating as second‑in‑command and looking for their next challenge.

What you'll be doing:

  • Partnering with the General Manager to drive store performance and operational excellence
  • Owning performance day‑to‑day‑reviewing results, spotting where things aren't on track and taking action to move the store forward
  • Leading daily huddles to set clear direction, energy and focus for the team
  • Using data and insight to identify trends, respond quickly and keep the store performing across all areas
  • Coaching and developing Assistant Managers to lead their teams effectively and understand the bigger picture
  • Spending time on the shop floor, staying visible and connected across retail, pharmacy and operations
  • Ensuring strong operational standards, safety and compliance at all times
  • Working closely with regional teams and senior stakeholders, including hosting visits from leadership and executive teams
  • Bringing new products, services and initiatives to life in a meaningful way for your customers

What you'll need to have:

  • Retail Management Experience (currently a Store Manager or experienced Assistant Manager)
  • Strong understanding of retail operations, ideally across multiple areas
  • Ability to drive performance and implement strategy in‑store
  • Great customer service skills and a passion for customer care
  • Confidence working at pace and making decisions in a fast‑moving environment
  • A people‑first approach, with the ability to coach and develop others
  • Resilience and adaptability-comfortable with a role where no two days are the same
  • Curiosity and drive-you're keen to learn, ask questions and keep improving

It would be great if you also have:

  • Experience in a flagship or high‑volume store
  • Experience across both retail and pharmacy environments
  • A track record of spotting potential and developing future leaders
  • Confidence using data and insight to improve performance

Where your brilliance can take you:

At Boots, your career can be as ambitious as you are. As Deputy General Manager of a flagship store, you'll be perfectly placed to build your leadership capability and take the next step. Whether that's branching out to have full ownership and become Store Manager of one of our large destination stores or ultimately progressing into senior leadership roles such as General Manager or Area Manager, there's plenty of room to grow at Boots. You may be interested in field‑based roles that influence operations, resourcing, clinical governance and colleague development across multiple stores, as well as opportunities beyond stores. If you're looking to move into our Nottingham Support Office, we have a variety of positions across areas such as Commercial, HR, Marketing, Buying, Strategy, Finance and Supply Chain. Whatever path you choose, we'll give you the tools, training, and support to be brilliant with Boots and build a rewarding and flexible career.

Rewards designed for you:

  • Boots Retirement Savings Plan
  • Generous employee discount across Boots and partner brands
  • Discretionary annual bonus
  • Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave pay, and a gift card for those expecting or adopting
  • Flexible benefits scheme; holiday buying, gym discounts, life assurance and more
  • 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support through TELUS Health, our Employee Assistance Programme

There's lots more in our rewards and benefits package, MyBoosts, our way of helping you get the most out of the good stuff.

A bit about us:

At Boots, we're proud to be an equal opportunity employer, creating a place where everyone feels welcome, supported and free to be themselves. We believe that when our people feel valued and included, they thrive, so we're committed to creating a brilliant Boots for our people so they can make a difference for our customers and colleagues every time.

What's next?

If you apply, our team will be in touch to let you know the outcome of your application or to arrange next steps. Where a role is advertised as full‑time, we are open to discussing part‑time and job share options. If you require additional support as part of the application and interview process, we are happy to provide reasonable adjustments to help you be at your best. This role requires the successful candidate to complete a pre‑employment check after receiving an offer. Depending on your location, you will be asked to submit either a DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service), PVG (Protection of Vulnerable groups) or an Access NI Check. Boots is a Ban the Box employer and will consider the suitability of applicants with criminal convictions on a case‑by‑case basis. We hope to hear from you soon. Be brilliant with Boots.

Deputy General Manager employer: Boots

At Boots, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters growth and development. As a Deputy General Manager in one of our flagship stores, you'll benefit from hands-on leadership experience, extensive training opportunities, and a supportive environment that encourages you to thrive while making a meaningful impact on your team and customers. With competitive rewards, flexible benefits, and a commitment to inclusivity, Boots is the perfect place for ambitious individuals looking to advance their careers in retail management.

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Contact Details:

Boots Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Deputy General Manager

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company inside out! Research Boots' values, recent initiatives, and their flagship stores. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!

Tip Number 3

Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the role of Deputy General Manager. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Deputy General Manager

Retail Management Experience
Understanding of Retail Operations
Performance Driving
Customer Service Skills
Coaching and Developing Others
Resilience
Adaptability

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for retail and customer service shine through. We want to see how much you care about creating a brilliant experience for our customers!

Tailor Your CV:Make sure to customise your CV to highlight relevant experience that aligns with the Deputy General Manager role. We love seeing how your past roles have prepared you for this exciting step up!

Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to spot and understand.

Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get the ball rolling on your journey with Boots.

How to prepare for a job interview at Boots

Know Your Store Inside Out

Before the interview, make sure you’re familiar with the specific Boots store you’re applying to. Understand its layout, product offerings, and any recent changes or initiatives. This will show your genuine interest and help you discuss how you can contribute to its success.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

As a Deputy General Manager, you'll be leading teams. Prepare examples of how you've successfully coached and developed others in previous roles. Highlight your ability to inspire and motivate teams, as well as how you’ve handled challenges in a fast-paced environment.

Be Data-Driven

Boots values data-driven decision-making. Brush up on how you’ve used data to improve performance in past roles. Be ready to discuss specific metrics you’ve tracked and how they influenced your decisions, especially in retail operations.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and adaptability. Think about situations where you had to respond quickly to operational issues or customer needs. Practising these scenarios will help you articulate your thought process during the interview.