Plant Area Manager

Morepeople 01780; England; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading independent garden centre in West Sussex is seeking a passionate Plant Area Manager. This hands-on role involves leading a team, enhancing sales through exceptional plant knowledge, and ensuring top-quality operations in the plant area. Ideal for candidates with garden centre experience and strong leadership skills, this position offers a collaborative environment and significant responsibilities.

Benefits

Free on-site parking

Staff discount after probation

28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)

Workplace pension scheme

Collaborative and friendly working environment

Qualifications

• Essential experience as a supervisor, assistant manager, or manager within a garden centre plant area.
• Strong knowledge of seasonal sales and customer behaviour.
• Ability to manage a small team and foster teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily operations of the outdoor plant area, ensuring quality and layout.
• Drive sales through excellent plant knowledge and engaging displays.
• Develop the plant area team with a focus on training and morale.

Skills

Garden Centre Experience

Retail Sales Knowledge

Leadership & Team Development

Customer Engagement

Industry Insight

Job description

Plant Area Manager
Independent Garden Centre | West Sussex
Salary DOE

About the Role

We're looking for a passionate and experienced Plant Area Manager to join a thriving independent garden centre in West Sussex. This is a hands-on, commercially focused position leading a team in one of the centre's most vital departments.

This role would suit either an experienced Plant Area Manager or a strong Assistant Plant Area Manager looking for their next career step.

About the Business

The centre is a successful and independently run business. Known for its horticultural quality, excellent customer service, and team-focused culture.

The plant area is the heart of the business, especially in spring, while the shop and Christmas departments take the lead in winter. All departments work closely together to deliver a seamless customer experience year-round.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the daily operations of the outdoor plant area, ensuring stock quality, layout, and merchandising are at their best.

• Drive retail sales by offering excellent plant knowledge, engaging displays, and proactive team supervision.

• Support and develop the plant area team, focusing on training, efficiency, and morale.

• Manage plant stock-receiving deliveries, maintaining accuracy, and reacting to seasonal shifts.

• Work alongside other department leads to contribute to centre-wide success.

• Deliver high-quality visual merchandising to optimise sales potential.

• Monitor and manage KPIs, margin, and stock performance within the plant department.

What We're Looking For

• Garden Centre Experience: Essential. Candidates must have worked as a supervisor, assistant manager, or manager within a garden centre plant area. Experience in nurseries or landscaping roles will not be considered.

• Retail Sales Knowledge: Strong commercial understanding of seasonal sales patterns and customer behaviour in a retail environment.

• Leadership & Team Development: Ability to manage a small team, lead from the front, and foster a collaborative working culture.

• Customer Engagement: Passionate about plants and enthusiastic in sharing that knowledge with both customers and colleagues.

• Industry Insight: Experience with top garden centre brands would be a significant advantage.

Perks & Benefits

• Free on-site parking

• Staff discount after probation

• 28 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)

• Workplace pension scheme

• A collaborative and friendly working environment

What's Next?

To apply, please send your CV to [e-mail]
Or call 07522 237 512 for a confidential chat about the role.

INDGC