Deputy Manager

Zachary Daniels; Norwich; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Zachary Daniels is seeking a Deputy Manager in the Norwich area to oversee the horticultural department within a busy garden centre. You will work closely with the Store Manager to ensure the day-to-day operations run smoothly, maintain high plant quality and contribute to a knowledgeable, customer-focused team.

The role combines hands-on horticulture with retail management, focusing on sales, presentation, stock control and staff development.

Qualifications

• Supervisory or management experience in garden retail or related environment.
• Strong horticultural knowledge including plant identification and seasonal care requirements.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills with a practical problem-solving approach.
• Proven ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
• Commercial awareness with understanding of sales, stock control and waste reduction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the garden centre and ensure smooth running.
• Manage the horticultural department, ensuring plants are well maintained and attractively displayed.
• Oversee stock levels, ordering, deliveries and stock rotation, minimising waste and maintaining quality.
• Drive sales and profitability through merchandising and seasonal planning.
• Lead, motivate and develop colleagues; provide training and scheduling support.
• Monitor plant health, water, feeding, pest and disease management, and general maintenance.
• Ensure the department is well presented, fully stocked and prepared for seasonal demand.
• Deliver excellent customer service with knowledgeable advice on plants and gardening products.
• Provide support with staff recruitment and overall workforce planning as required.
• Step into Store Manager duties in their absence and uphold company standards.

Skills

Supervisory leadership

Horticultural knowledge

Customer service

Team motivation

Commercial awareness

Job description

Deputy Manager | Horticulture | Norwich Area

We are looking for a motivated and horticulturally knowledgeable Deputy Manager to join a successful garden retail business in the Norwich area.

Working closely with the Store Manager, you will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day running of the garden centre, with particular responsibility for the horticultural department. You will help drive sales, maintain high standards of plant quality and presentation, and support the development of a knowledgeable, customer-focused team.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with horticultural knowledge and retail management experience who enjoys a hands-on role, combining a passion for plants with strong commercial awareness and people management skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Store Manager in the overall day-to-day management and successful operation of the garden centre.
• Take responsibility for the horticultural department, ensuring plants are well maintained, attractively displayed and presented to a high standard.
• Oversee plant stock levels, ordering, deliveries and stock rotation, minimising waste and maintaining product quality.
• Drive sales and profitability within horticulture through effective merchandising, seasonal planning and a strong focus on customer needs.
• Lead, motivate and develop colleagues, providing guidance on plant care, gardening products and horticultural best practice.
• Monitor plant health, watering, feeding, pest and disease management, and general plant maintenance.
• Ensure the department is well presented, fully stocked and ready to meet seasonal demand.
• Deliver excellent customer service, offering knowledgeable advice on plants, gardening techniques and suitable products.
• Assist with staff recruitment, training, scheduling and workforce planning as required.
• Take responsibility for the wider operation of the garden centre in the Store Manager's absence.
• Ensure company procedures, health and safety requirements and operational standards are consistently maintained.

About You

• Experience in a supervisory or management role, ideally within garden retail, horticulture or a related environment.
• Good horticultural knowledge, including plant identification, plant care and seasonal gardening requirements.
• A genuine passion for plants and gardening, with the confidence to share your knowledge with customers and colleagues.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate a team and lead by example.
• Commercial awareness and an understanding of sales performance, stock control, plant quality and waste reduction.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills, with a practical and solutions-focused approach.
• Well organised, proactive and comfortable managing competing priorities in a busy retail environment.
• A flexible, hands-on approach and the ability to adapt to the changing demands of a seasonal business.

The Opportunity

This role offers an exciting opportunity to take on greater responsibility within an established garden retail business, combining horticultural expertise with team leadership and commercial management. You will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the performance and presentation of the horticultural department while contributing to the overall success of the garden centre.

If you have a passion for horticulture, enjoy leading a team and are ready to take the next step in your management career, we would welcome your application.