Retail Deputy Manager

Why The Works?

We don’t just sell products. We inspire reading, learning, creativity and play. With your passion and our products, you will help ignite the spark within people, allowing them to unleash their creativity, find new passions, hobbies, or rekindle fond memories.

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.

• 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.

As a great leader with wonderful people skills, you’ll create a team that’s more than just co‑workers – it’s a team. 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 quality constructive feedback and support your team’s well‑being and aspirations.

• 25% Colleague Discount – plus exclusive double discount days.
• MyWorks – access exclusive online discounts across hundreds of retailers.
• Family Friendly Leave – enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Holiday – 33 days, including bank holidays, with allowance increasing with long service.
• Can‑Do Academy – further training and development in areas that interest you.
• Stream – early access to 50% of your wages as you earn them.
• Share Scheme – own a piece of The Works.
• 24/7 support – partnership with Retail Trust Charity provides an Employee Assistance Programme.
• Healthcare Cash Plan – support for everyday healthcare costs.
• Long service awards, pension, life assurance, Cycle to Work scheme, and 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.
• We Listen. We Care.

The Works is 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 and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

We welcome discussions around working hours and flexible working. If you need reasonable adjustments for an interview, let us know in your application and we will be happy to help.