Garden Centre Manager

MorePeople; Esher; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee discounts

Bonus scheme

Company benefits

Free on-site parking

Job summary

MorePeople is recruiting a Garden Centre Manager to lead an established Surrey centre with an annual turnover of about £4m. You will manage day-to-day operations, drive excellent customer service, and ensure the site hits its commercial targets while developing a loyal, capable team of 30–35 staff.

The ideal candidate will have strong retail management experience, solid plant and horticulture knowledge, and a hands-on, proactive leadership style.

Qualifications

• Strong retail management experience, ideally in garden centres.
• Good understanding of plants and horticulture.
• Commercially minded with grasp of sales and costs.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the garden centre and drive commercial performance.
• Lead, motivate and develop a team of 30–35 staff to deliver excellent customer service.
• Ensure the centre runs smoothly, meets targets and maintains high retail standards.
• Be hands-on when needed and actively contribute to business improvements.

Skills

Retail management

Team leadership

Customer service

Horticulture knowledge

Commercial awareness

Organisational skills

Weekend availability

Education

Horticulture qualifications

Job description

Garden Centre Manager | Surrey

Salary: DOE

Are you a Garden Centre Manager looking for a fresh challenge in the garden retail world?

Are you commercially minded, passionate about delivering excellent customer service and confident leading teams in a busy retail environment?

If so, this could be the ideal next step in your career.

About the Business

We are working with a well-respected garden centre group, known for their excellent plant ranges, quality gardening products and strong focus on customer service.

With a long history in garden retail, the business has built a loyal customer base and prides itself on offering a welcoming shopping experience, knowledgeable teams and high standards across its centres.

Why Join Them?

• Join a successful, family-owned business with a fantastic reputation in garden retail.
• Take responsibility for an established garden centre with a loyal customer base.
• Enjoy genuine opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Be part of a supportive business that values its people and customer service.
• Benefit from employee discounts, a bonus scheme and other company benefits.
• Free on-site parking available.

Role Overview

As Garden Centre Manager, you'll be responsible for the day-to-day running and continued success of an established garden centre in Surrey, with an annual turnover of approximately £4m.

You'll be leading a team of around 30-35 people, ensuring the centre runs smoothly, delivers excellent customer service and achieves its commercial targets.

This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys being hands‑on, developing their team and looking for ways to improve the business.

The Ideal Candidate

• Strong retail management experience, ideally within a garden centre or a similar environment.
• A good understanding of plants and horticulture, whether through experience, qualifications or a genuine personal interest.
• A commercially minded manager who understands sales, costs and profitability.
• Confident leading, motivating and developing an established team.
• A hands‑on approach and a willingness to get involved in all areas of the business.
• Excellent customer service skills and a focus on maintaining high retail standards.
• Organised, proactive and comfortable managing competing priorities.
• Flexible to work weekends and peak trading periods as needed.