Retail Deputy Manager

Retail Deputy Manager – 18‑hour contract

New store opening August
2026. This role is for a Retail Deputy Manager.

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. You sell the paint that turns someone into an artist. You provide the book that unleashes an inner author. You supply games that bring families together. You give a puzzle book that reconnects with a late family member’s memory. You never know who someone will become. With your passion, our products will ignite a spark within people, allowing them to unleash their creativity, find new passions, hobbies, or rekindle fond memories.

The unseen possibilities are limitless, and 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 – whether it’s discovering new products they’ll love, or finding the perfect gifts for someone else. By getting to know their interests or shopping mission, you’ll be ready to recommend items 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.

At The Works, a brand ambassador is not your job title – it’s the way you bring our brand to life every day through the moments you create. It’s the smile that puts someone at ease, the warm welcome into the store, the support of colleagues with kindness and teamwork, conversations that help a child discover new favourites, or encouragement that inspires someone to reconnect with their creativity or love of reading.

These small interactions – which feel ordinary to you – become extraordinary memories for our customers. Whether you’re on the shop floor, in our distribution centre, or at our support centre, you always represent our products, services, values and behaviours positively and authentically.

• 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 and 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.
• Confidence 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.
• Provide constructive feedback to help the team improve.
• Support your team’s well‑being and aspirations,…