Deputy Store Manager Designate

Pets at Home; Westwood; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading pet care retailer is seeking a Deputy Store Manager Designate in the Broadstairs/Dover area. The ideal candidate will oversee daily operations, lead a team, and ensure exceptional service to customers and their pets. Responsibilities include driving sales and managing recruitment and stock. Passion for retail and a minimum of 1 year management experience are essential. Competitive benefits include a yearly bonus and paid leave. A commitment to training is also required.

Benefits

Annual bonus opportunities

28 days paid leave

Birthday off

Life assurance worth 4x annual salary

4% company pension contribution

Colleague discounts

Qualifications

• At least 1 year of management experience in a retail environment.
• Passionate about retail and delivering exceptional results.
• Flexible to work a 7-day shift pattern including weekends and bank holidays.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills to engage and inspire your team.
• Ready to commit to 6 months of training covering customer service, health and safety, and pet care.

Responsibilities

• Inspiring and leading your team to create a fun, engaging environment.
• Driving sales performance and achieving key KPIs.
• Overseeing store operations, including recruitment and stock management.
• Acting as Duty Manager when the Store Manager is unavailable.
• Leading by example and contributing to the store's overall success.

Skills

Management experience

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Flexibility

Job description

Deputy Store Manager Designate - Broadstairs / Dover Area - 39 Hours

Who are we?

We’re Pets at Home – if you’re someone who loves pets, you might already know about our range of Pet Care Centres, Pets Grooming salons, and Vets for Pets practices around the UK. Our Pet Care Centres are community‑focused pet care stores – where local people work with local pet owners and help local pets.

What’s the role?

As a Deputy Store Manager Designate, you’ll work closely with several Store Managers in the local area to oversee the store’s day‑to‑day operations and ensure the best possible experience for our customers and their pets. When the Store Manager is unavailable, you’ll take full responsibility for the store, leading the team and managing all aspects of the business, from recruitment and performance management to stock control and maintaining our high standards.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Inspiring and leading your team to create a fun, engaging, and customer‑focused environment.
• Driving sales performance and achieving key KPIs.
• Overseeing store operations, including recruitment, stock management, and compliance with health and safety.
• Acting as Duty Manager when the Store Manager is unavailable.
• Leading by example and contributing to the store’s overall success.

We’ll provide comprehensive training and development opportunities to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to deliver exceptional service and care to our customers and their pets.

Who are we looking for?

• Have at least 1 year of management experience in a retail environment.
• Are passionate about retail and delivering exceptional results.
• Are flexible to work a 7-day shift pattern, including weekends and bank holidays.
• Have excellent communication and leadership skills to engage and inspire your team.
• Are ready to commit to 6 months of training, covering customer service, health and safety, and pet care.

Benefits

• Annual bonus opportunities.
• 28 days paid leave, rising to 33 days after 2 years (including bank holidays).
• Your birthday off to celebrate in style.
• Life assurance worth 4x your annual salary.
• A 4% company pension contribution.
• Colleague discounts, including 20% off Pets at Home and 30% off our own‑brand products.

Click here to read our Values & Behaviours. Click here for more details and other benefits.

Join Us!

Pets just see people—they don’t discriminate, and neither do we. We celebrate the diversity of our colleagues and encourage you to be yourself. Even if your skills don’t perfectly align, your unique contribution through your values and behaviours could make you a great fit for our team.

Don’t wait—apply now! We may close the vacancy early due to high interest.