Whittard of Chelsea

About Whittard of Chelsea

About Us Whittard in a Tea Cup… Our story began in 1886 when Walter Whittard first set up shop on London’s bustling Fleet Street selling the finest tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Over 130 years later, Whittard of Chelsea has become a global aspirational brand, but we remain true to our founder’s approach: to “buy the best.” Our passion for our high-quality, innovative products still informs everything we do, whether that’s tracking down world-class ingredients or fuelling our friendly experts with knowledge – and if there’s one thing Walter’s taught us, it’s that a truly excellent cuppa is an experience best shared… Our Culture WORKING IN OUR STORES We have over 50 stores in the UK from Bridgend to Ipswich and Exeter to Edinburgh - each designed to provide an immersive and engaging environment where passion for our products combined with great knowledge provide an unforgettable customer experience. For our store teams, we run an Ambassador programme as part of our Whittard Academy that both encourages and rewards those with specialist skills and knowledge at all levels, to share their expertise with our customers and their colleagues. All new store management teams join new starters from our central offices on a 2-day induction. This provides a greater understanding of the Whittard brand, our long term goals and values as well as the opportunity to build relationships across the business. Oh, and you get to do a proper tea and coffee tasting session with one of our experts. WORKING IN OUR OFFICES Our central offices are based in London and on the outskirts of Witney in Oxfordshire, on the edge of the Cotswolds. The Witney office is just a few minutes’ drive from the town centre with Bicester, Oxford, Cheltenham, Abingdon and Swindon all less than an hour's drive away. Our web team are based there along with all the support teams that are vital in making us a successful retail business; Buying, Merchandising, Finance, HR, IT, Marketing and Design. Our B2B Sales team work out of our bijoux office above our store in Oxford Street in London. * Both offices have well stocked kitchens with over 20 different teas, coffees and hot chocolates. These are free for employees all to enjoy throughout the day, the selection is changed regularly and we're all encouraged to try as many of our products as we can. * We’ve got a completely open-plan office, making it easy to share ideas, communicate and interact – even our CEO isn’t hidden away in his own separate office. * We hold monthly social events as well as a Christmas party and a summer BBQ so you’ve got a chance to mingle with colleagues that you don’t usually work with day-to-day. * Our central office teams join new store management teams on a 2-day induction. This provides a greater understanding of the Whittard brand, our long term goals and values as well as the opportunity to build relationships across the business. Oh, and you get to do a proper tea and coffee tasting session with one of our experts. WHAT WE OFFER * The best way for you to become a passionate expert in our products is for you to try them so we offer a Product Allowance scheme where you’re able to have two products each month for free and a generous staff discount scheme across our entire range. * Working hard is something we expect from you but we’re also generous with our rest times. You get 30 or 33 days holiday per year and in some roles we’re able to offer you an additional day off so that you don’t have to come to work on your birthday. * All of us are eligible for bonuses and/or incentives so when Whittard does well, you’ll benefit too. * As a standard, everyone is offered membership of our company pension scheme, access to childcare vouchers, and discounted gym membership. * There are plenty of opportunities for career progression with in-house training and development programmes; in the first half of 2018 over a third of our new Store Management appointments were a result of internal promotions. But, even if you’re not looking for the next step up the ladder, we have plenty of Ambassador and Champion roles where your specialist skills and knowledge can be used to coach and support your colleagues. OUR WIDER COMMUNITY We work closely with a range of trustworthy suppliers – and our relationships with them are crucial for making sure our customers get the best quality products, services and care. The 5p plastic bag charge in our stores funds our partner charity, the Eve Appeal. They’re the UK’s only national charity funding research into the five gynaecological cancers: womb, ovarian, cervical, vulval and vaginal. We also run events in both our stores and our offices to help raise funds for the Eve Appeal. We’re a member of the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), which aims to create a more sustainable industry by offering free training and support programmes to farmers, as well as tackling significant industry issues to help safeguard workers’ livelihoods. We also donate to the Retail Trust, which provides free and confidential wellbeing services for employees and their families. Their helpline is available 24/7 and offers advice, information, counselling, legal guidance and hardship support. Our Values We have six company values to ensure that all our employees are working together towards the same goals. Our core values support our company vision and shapes its culture. This will empower to build great teams and deliver world class customer service. We work hard to facilitate a working environment that is both invigorating and ambitious, a workplace where all voices are heard and valued and everyone is offered the opportunity to achieve their maximum potential. We are Open and Honest - We are friendly and committed to a culture of openness. We tell it like it is, treating everyone we encounter, whether a colleague or a customer, with respect, fairness and honesty. We Take Responsibility - Taking responsibility gives us a real sense of fulfilment. Whether big or small, we give each task everything we’ve got. Sure, we’re bound to encounter some problems along the way but we know how to transform our mistakes into learning opportunities, each step driving us in the right direction. We are Friendly Fanatics - We pride ourselves on our expertise, but that doesn’t stop us from being down to earth, approachable and generous with our knowledge; ‘friendly fanatics’, you could say. We really care about what we do, fuelling the positive energy felt at every level of the business – from the tea fields to the shop floor. We Enjoy What We Do - Of course we work hard, but our business is about having fun in a dynamic, stimulating and sociable environment – after all, our products are all about taking the time to enjoy life. Customers are invited to share our culture of enjoyment, to savour the adventure. We Dare To Be Different - To be the best, and to give our customers the best, it’s about daring to be different. We have a heritage of over 130 years, but we’re still thirsty for knowledge. We’re on a journey of discovery, each one of us expanding the possibilities of our role – our customers are inspired by that very same spirit of exploration. We Work Together - Effective teamwork doesn’t just help our business succeed – it makes our work more rewarding too. As a team we delight in sharing our experiences, our skills, successes and discoveries. What’s more, we’re committed to supporting the global Whittard community as well as the individuals whose livelihood depends on the products we sell. Testimonials “Whittard is a great place to work if you are looking to flourish and further your career. The smaller teams allow you to get involved in a variety of areas across the business and you are regularly given the opportunity to voice your opinions. The large open-plan office encourages close bonds with your colleagues and creates a friendly atmosphere to work in. The day-to- day work challenges you to be at your very best and keeps you on your toes. There are a great number of fantastic, eccentric people within the business – hopefully you are crazy enough to come and join us!” - Matt Williams, Management Accountant “I’ve recently joined Whittard from a much bigger business, and I can honestly say what a breath of fresh air it is to join a business that is genuinely collaborative and innovative, and that really puts their people first! It makes the world of difference when you are working alongside like-minded, passionate people who all have the same goal. It’s the people that make our business best in class, while (dare I say it) having a bit of fun in the process.” - Rich Mason-Fowler, Training Manager “Whittard has a really strong, family-friendly ethic which is expressed through its heritage and brand values on a daily basis. I am constantly encouraged to drive my store’s performance to the next level. Every day brings a new adventure to savour, and for me it’s the perfect mix of great people, amazing products and brand-loyal customers who make it all the more worthwhile.“ - Mark Williams, Store Manager Cheshire Oaks “Whittard is great at giving me opportunities to develop as an individual – it’s often hard to find these opportunities in a busy and reactive digital role. There’s lots of feedback encouraged here across all working levels, and the company clearly cares for its employees.” - Sheila Tovey, E-Commerce Executive

Synonyms

Technologies (from Job Ads)

Hiring Locations

Headquarters

Loading map...

Company Info

Company Type: Private

Company Size: 51 - 250

Revenue: 25 - 50 million (USD)

Job Ad Metrics

Job Ads found: 71

Job Ads per Month: 2.8

Hiring Locations: 7

Data Info