At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Store Manager in delivering exceptional service and leading a brilliant team.
- Company: Whittard of Chelsea, a heritage brand with a focus on tea, coffee, and community.
- Benefits: Up to 50% store discount, monthly product allowance, and discretionary bonus scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth and a supportive, inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and make a real impact in a vibrant retail environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail leadership and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
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 12 Month FTC at our York Parliament St 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.
Deputy Manager FTC in Middlesbrough employer: Whittard of Chelsea
Whittard of Chelsea is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, where every team member is empowered to shine. As a Deputy Manager at our York Parliament St store, you'll enjoy generous benefits such as up to 50% store discount, a monthly product allowance, and a discretionary bonus scheme, all while being part of a supportive environment that prioritises employee growth and wellbeing. Join us in creating memorable customer experiences and take the next step in your leadership journey with a company that values passion, performance, and pride.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager FTC in Middlesbrough
✨Get Your Foot in the Door Early
In retail, many temporary roles pop up during peak seasons, like Christmas or summer sales. Keep an eye on the calendars for these spikes and start scouting for opportunities a bit in advance. We can even help you stay sharp on your search!
✨Utilise Local Connections
Visit local shops in person and chat with managers about potential temporary openings. Many retail positions are filled by word-of-mouth, so don’t underestimate the power of a good conversation while you grab a coffee or do your weekly shopping!
✨Show Off Your Availability
Retail managers love flexibility! Make sure to highlight your availability in a casual chat or when you apply through our website. The more open you are to work varied shifts, the more likely they are to bring you on board—especially for temporary gigs!
✨Be Ready for On-the-Spot Interviews
When you walk into a shop, be prepared for the possibility of an on-the-spot interview. Dress comfortably but smartly, have a few key points about your experience ready, and be enthusiastic. Remember, it’s all about making that positive first impression!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager FTC in Middlesbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any relevant experience you've got, whether it’s casual jobs or volunteer work. Employers want to see that you can interact well with customers, so think about any instances where you've gone the extra mile to help someone out.
Flexibility Is Your Best Friend:Since this is a temporary position, you should emphasise your flexibility in your application. Mention your availability clearly in your cover letter and CV—employers love knowing they can rely on you to work varied hours, especially during busy periods!
Keep It Short and Sweet:For temporary roles, we don’t need an essay! Keep your CV and cover letter concise, focusing on the most relevant experiences and skills. Highlight any specific retail achievements, like sales targets met or product knowledge that demonstrates your eagerness to dive straight in.
Tailor Your Application to Whittard of Chelsea:Don’t forget to personalise your application for Whittard of Chelsea! Take a look at their values and product range, and if you’ve had previous experience with similar brands, mention that. It shows you’re genuinely interested in the role and have a good understanding of what they do.
How to prepare for a job interview at Whittard of Chelsea
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
In retail, it's all about customer interaction, so be ready to share examples of how you've handled tough customer situations. We recommend thinking through a couple of scenarios before the interview where you went above and beyond to help a customer, as these can really make you stand out.
✨Brush Up on Product Knowledge
Temporary roles often have a steep learning curve because you'll need to pick up product knowledge fast. Take some time to familiarise yourself with the main products or services that Whittard of Chelsea offers, and if possible, try to understand their current promotions. It’ll give you the edge to engage customers effectively.
✨Flexibility is Key
Being in a temporary retail role means you may need to adapt quickly to different tasks or shifts. Be prepared to highlight your flexibility and willingness to take on varied responsibilities during the interview. Think of examples where you've had to juggle multiple tasks at once – that’ll show you're a great fit for the dynamic retail environment.
✨Demonstrate Team Spirit
Since retail roles often require collaboration, be ready to showcase your teamwork skills. Share experiences where you worked well with colleagues, especially in fast-paced situations. This will underline your ability to slot into the team at Whittard of Chelsea and contribute positively during your temporary stint.
