Garden Centre Outdoor Manager

Straightline Retail Recruitment; Rochester; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent garden retail company in the Maidstone area is seeking a Garden Centre Outdoor Manager. This role combines your passion for gardening with customer service, allowing you to manage the plant area, provide expert advice, and lead a team. The position offers a competitive salary of £35,000 to £38,000 plus bonuses, sociable hours, and every other weekend off. Join a respected company in the garden retail sector where you can grow your skills and contribute to a flourishing environment.

Qualifications

• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Experience in retail and gardening preferred.
• Ability to lead and support a team.

Responsibilities

• Manage the plant area and make stock decisions.
• Provide customers with gardening advice.
• Support and train team members.

Skills

Customer service

Team leadership

Gardening knowledge

Job description

Garden Centre Outdoor Manager

£35 - 38,000 + Package and Bonus

Maidstone area

The Person

Imagine this: a crisp November morning, the scent of damp earth after a light drizzle, and leaves in shades of gold carpeting the garden paths. Your winter‑flowering Cyclamen are brightening up the borders, the Hebes are still looking strong, and the last of the pansies are holding their colour. At times like this, is there anything better than working outdoors? You'll need to answer no, despite the occasional rain and blustery winds. You're a gardener at heart; your customers rely on your advice, and you'll enjoy spending your days sharing your knowledge with them in a professional and approachable way. You're comfortable working with people—retail is a people‑focused job after all—and you'll take pleasure in supporting your team, helping them grow in confidence and skill.

The Role

This role has a lot to offer, but at its core it's about working with a company that shares your passion. You'll receive full training and ongoing support, but the plant area will be yours to run. You'll have freedom to make decisions on stock ranges, work with trusted suppliers and growers, and lead a small team of like-minded colleagues who will benefit from your expertise. It's a role you can take real pride in. On top of that, it pays well, offers sociable hours, and while weekend work is part of the job, you'll enjoy every other weekend off.

The Company

A household name in the UK garden retail sector, this company has been thriving for years, always welcoming new ideas and ways to improve. They are well‑respected, financially solid, and optimistic about the future.