Retail Deputy Manager

Retail Deputy Manager

Deputy Manager

18 hour contract

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. Because when people spend time doing what they love, it’s Time Well Spent. And with the right passion - It All Starts With You.

As a Deputy Manager, you play a vital role in supporting the Store Manager to lead the team and deliver an exceptional customer experience. You’ll help drive commercial performance, maintain high operational standards, and step up to lead the store in the Store Manager’s absence. You’ll be a role model for the team – motivating, coaching, and ensuring every shift runs smoothly.

Your mission is to deliver exceptional service, spark brilliant conversations, and help customers with their shopping missions. By getting to know their interests or shopping mission, you’ll be ready to recommend things that surprise, delight, and inspire them. You’ll also play a key role in keeping the store well‑stocked, tidy, safe, and welcoming. Alongside your teammates, you help create an environment where everything runs smoothly and everyone feels supported and included.

• Support the Store Manager in leading the team to deliver excellent customer service and achieve store targets.
• Take ownership of key operational areas such as stock management, merchandising, and compliance.
• Lead by example on the shop floor, setting high standards for service, presentation, and teamwork.
• Coach and develop team members, providing feedback and support to help them grow.
• Step up to manage the store in the absence of the Store Manager, ensuring smooth day‑to‑day operations.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training of new team members.
• Monitor store performance and contribute ideas to improve sales and efficiency.
• Ensure health & safety, cash handling, and loss prevention procedures are followed.
• Foster a positive, inclusive, and high‑performing team culture.

• Experience in a supervisory or team leadership role within retail or customer service.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Confident in leading a team and making decisions.
• Organised and able to manage multiple priorities.
• Customer‑focused with a passion for delivering great service.
• Flexible and reliable, with a hands‑on approach.
• Experience in a high‑volume or value retail environment.
• Familiarity with retail systems and reporting tools.
• Experience supporting recruitment, training, or performance management.

• Inspire and motivate your team in line with our employer brand, values, behaviours and purpose.
• Lead your team to reach their potential and steer your store to break records and get in the spotlight.
• Work collaboratively with support departments and peers. If something’s not quite right, provide quality constructive feedback so we can work as a team to get it right.
• Champion your team's well‑being and aspirations – support their growth and celebrate their achievements.

• 💪 25% Colleague Discount! Plus, exclusive Double Discount days!
• 😎 My Works - Access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers, holidays, utilities deals, tech and more!
• 🏡 Family Friendly Leave - Enjoy enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• 🚀 Holiday – 33 days, including bank holidays. Holiday allowance increases with long service.
• 🎓 Can‑Do Academy - Grow your skills and career with instant access to further training and development.
• 💸 Stream - Claim early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them.
• 🏬 Share Scheme - Own a piece of The Works.
• 💛 24/7 support - Through our partnership with Retail Trust Charity, an Employee Assistance Programme and more.
• 🩺 Healthcare Cash Plan – Support your everyday healthcare costs.
• 🥳 And loads more! – Long service awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, optional charity giving.

To inspire reading, learning, creativity and play.

We are Crafty 🎨 – Smart with what we've got.

We are Caring 💛 – Heart in every action.

We are Can‑do 🚀 – Energy that gets it done.

Each year we run an anonymous colleague engagement survey to hear your feedback and suggestions. You’ll have the opportunity to help give us that direction.

At The Works, we are proud to have an inclusive culture where everyone truly feels able to be themselves. Our roles are open to all, including under‑represented groups such as ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, carers & LGBTQ+ members. We are open to discussions around working hours and flexible working, and we’ll support reasonable adjustments for interviews.