Garden Centre Manager

Our client, an independent business with over 60 years in the Garden Industry, is seeking a Garden Centre Manager to join the team. They are extremely passionate about their people and products and have ambitious future plans, so it’s an exciting time to join.

They are looking for an experienced Garden Centre Manager who is outgoing, ambitious, friendly and energetic with a positive attitude. You should bring experience and a love for managing a retail business; and be passionate about everything from flowers, food, plants, and furniture.

Key responsibilities:

• To lead and develop a team to provide the highest level of service to the customer and to work with the Directors and Managers in developing the Centre in line with the future direction of the Business.
• Ensuring excellent retail standards throughout the site.
• Direct ownership for the Furniture department, looking at the sales/products, ensuring that you are planning ahead for seasonal changes in departments.
• Line management of Department Managers, setting goals and objectives to increase sales and targets.
• Promote ownership and accountability to create a positive, productive, enjoyable and motivated working environment.
• Working with all department leaders and teams to ensure the right mix of product and people.
• Be responsible for all people with having a positive customer experience from entrance to exit.
• Experience in management of stock, ordering and stock wastage.
• Able to work on your feet! Bring new and exciting ideas to the management and Directors.
• Overseeing the rota’s to ensure we have enough people on site, liaising with our Supervisors on site.
• Working closely with the managers of multiple locations, travelling at times between centres in a close proximity.
• Liaising with the maintenance team or where necessary obtaining quotes for grounds / maintenance works.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Proven experience in Garden Centre Management or a related field.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Excellent organizational abilities to manage people and various departments.
• Ability to sell products and services while providing exceptional customer service, advice and coach people.
• Knowledge of buying, liaising with reps, stock management and control.
• Reporting to the Directors of the business, the successful candidate will bring exceptional retail management expertise with proven experience of leading multiple direct reports and their teams. You will thrive in a hands-on retail environment and have the drive, confidence and strategic commercial thinking to oversee the end to end business operation, taking full responsibility for putting our customers and people first and delivering outstanding results.

Key Skills and Attributes:

• Solid retail background and proven sales track record.
• IT literate in Office and working knowledge of EPOS systems.
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• A passion for driving talent and creating a successful team culture.
• The ability to resolve challenges and build trust between the whole team.
• Friendly & outgoing; and approachable (the role involves working with Directors, HR, team members and customers).
• Able to travel to see reps and suppliers (overnight stays required).
• Experience in buying (outdoor garden furniture an advantage).
• Can-do Attitude.

The role is full-time, working alternate weekends, with a day off during the week.

• 28 days holiday
• Work place pension
• Discount on food and products.
• Managers also receive a complimentary lunch and invites to social events.