Retail Operations Manager

At Whittard of Chelsea, we’ve been delighting customers with exceptional tea, coffee, and hot chocolate since 1886. In our flagship store, we bring that passion to life on a grand scale-welcoming thousands of customers, handling complex operations, and upholding the highest standards of excellence.

We're now seeking a Retail Operations Manager to keep everything running like clockwork behind the scenes-managing stock, leading on efficiencies, and creating the solid foundation that allows our customer experience to shine.

A Day in the Life 

You’ll be:

• Running Retail Operations – Overseeing stock movement, deliveries, replenishment and all operational routines to support a seamless customer journey.
• Driving Efficiency – Identifying smarter, faster, more effective ways of working across the store and ensuring resources are used in the right way.
• Owning Compliance – Ensuring the store meets all operational standards including health & safety, food safety, security and cash handling.
• Maintaining Retail Excellence – Keeping back-of-house and shop floor standards high-from visual presentation and stockroom layout to ticketing and housekeeping.
• Supporting the GM – Acting as a trusted right hand in all operational areas, stepping up when required, and contributing to store planning and execution.
• Leading by Example – Coaching team members on best practice in stock handling, systems use, and operational routines.

What Makes You Exceptional? We’re looking for someone with:

• Previous operations or stock management experience – ideally from a busy retail environment with high volume and pace.
• Strong attention to detail – with an ability to spot inefficiencies, reduce waste, and improve systems.
• Confidence using stock systems and reporting tools – you know your way around replenishment processes and can translate data into action.
• Calm, logical thinking – you’re comfortable juggling tasks, solving problems on the go, and keeping things moving during busy periods.
• A passion for structure and standards – you understand how back-of-house excellence enables a fantastic front-of-house experience.
• Team collaboration – able to build strong relationships across the wider store team and support colleagues to follow best practice.

Why Whittard – and Why Our Flagship Store?

This isn’t just an operations role-it’s a key leadership position in one of our most important stores. At our flagship location, you’ll be trusted with the systems, routines, and resources that power the store, all while working with a passionate, supportive team.

We offer:

• Up to 50% staff discount
• Monthly product allowance
• Retail bonus scheme
• Training and development pathways
• A vibrant store environment where your work truly makes a difference

Whittard of Chelsea is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We thrive to be a diverse and an inclusive organisation. We want to be a place where differences are recognised and celebrated, with a workforce that builds teams from all individualities, backgrounds, and experiences.

Together as a Whittard family, we continue to create a culture that encourages, supports, and inspires all our employees to have a voice, to make a positive difference in helping to develop our ambitious brand.