Deputy Store Manager in Hampshire, Portsmouth

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 Gunwharf Quays store to support the Store Manager in delivering exceptional service, empowering a brilliant team, and helping the store run like clockwork.

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.
• Team Leadership: 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:

• Up to 50% store discount – discover your new favourites!
• 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.

Whittard of Chelsea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We thrive to be a diverse and 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.