At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a passionate team, deliver exceptional customer service, and ensure smooth store operations.
- Company: Whittard of Chelsea, a heritage brand inspiring tea, coffee, and hot chocolate lovers since 1886.
- Benefits: Monthly product allowance, discretionary bonuses, wellbeing resources, and family-friendly policies.
- Other info: Be part of a vibrant community and connect with colleagues across stores and head office.
- Why this job: Join a supportive environment where you can grow your leadership skills and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management, strong coaching abilities, and a passion for customer experiences.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ 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 Retail Deputy Manager to support the Store Manager in delivering exceptional service, empowering a brilliant team, and helping the store run like clockwork. This role is for 32 hours, flexing to 40 hours to cover Manager holidays and peak trading times.
A Day in the Life
- 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 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.
Sound like the next step in your journey? Click ‘Apply Now’ and let’s build something brilliant together.
Deputy Manager - Brighton employer: Whittard Trading Limited
Whittard of Chelsea is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture, where every team member is empowered to deliver outstanding customer experiences. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have access to training opportunities, a monthly product allowance, and a discretionary bonus scheme, all while being part of a passionate team in the heart of Brighton. Join us to not only enhance your leadership skills but also to contribute to a brand that values connection and community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Manager - Brighton
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Whittard Trading Limited, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Whittard Trading Limited!
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Manager - Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Whittard Trading Limited, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Whittard Trading Limited and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Whittard Trading Limited that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Whittard Trading Limited
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
