Assistant Retail Manager

Armstrong Garden Centers, Inc.; California; On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

401(k)

Job summary

A well-known garden center company in California is seeking an Assistant Retail Manager to assist the store manager in daily functions, including team leadership and customer engagement. The ideal candidate will mentor staff, assist with sales, and manage inventory control. Qualifications include experience in retail management and horticulture-related credentials. This position offers a full-time role along with medical and vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan.

Qualifications

• Experience in retail management as an Assistant Manager or Store Manager.
• Master Gardener or Certified Nursery Professional status preferred.
• A degree in horticulture is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead customer engagement and ensure satisfaction.
• Mentor and coach a team of 10-20 members.
• Assist in purchasing and inventory control.
• Manage operations including scheduling and budgets.
• Assist the store manager with coaching, training, problem-solving, and motivation.
• Assist in writing Annual Reviews and participate in the review process.
• Assist the store manager in formulating daily goals to accomplish tasks and drive sales.
• Involved in-store purchasing, ordering, and receiving to ensure quality and pricing.
• Manage the garden center appearance, merchandising, displays, watering, and housekeeping.
• Manage operations: POS, scheduling, budgets, KPIs, and compliance with policies.
• Follow safe practices and report unsafe conditions to regional manager and HR.

Skills

Retail Management

Leadership

Customer Engagement

Team Mentoring

Education

Horticulture degree

Certified Nursery Professional status

Job description

Join to apply for the Assistant Retail Manager role at Armstrong Garden Centers, Inc.

The ideal candidate will be responsible for assisting the store manager in all functions of the garden center, including personnel management, sales, merchandising, gross profits, inventory control, and bottom‑line profit. Be an expert and brand ambassador for Armstrong Garden Centers.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Ensure customer engagement and satisfaction is our #1 priority—lead by example.
• Responsible for sales and service of retail staff, engagement vs transactions.
• Mentor, coach, and lead a team of 10‑20 members.
• Assist in the interviewing and screening of candidates for open store positions.
• Assist the store manager with coaching, training, problem‑solving, and motivation.
• Assist in writing Annual Reviews and participate in the review process.
• Assist the store manager in formulating daily goals to accomplish operational tasks and achieve sales.
• Involved in‑store purchasing, ordering, and receiving to ensure top‑quality and low‑cost pricing.
• Responsible for taking ownership of the garden center’s appearance, which includes visual merchandising, displays, watering, and general housekeeping.
• Manage operations: POS, scheduling, budgets, KPIs, including adherence to all Policies and Procedures.
• Follow safe working practices and report any unsafe conditions to the regional manager and HR.

Qualifications

• Retail Management (Store Manager/Assistant Manager)
• Master Gardener or Certified Nursery Professional status
• A horticulture degree is a plus.

Work Schedule

Garden Center hours (variable with season) five‑days per week, weekends required.

Physical Environment/Working Conditions

Safety First! Requires extensive use of back, legs, knees, arms, feet and hands for lifting, stooping, squatting, bending, twisting, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching overhead, and walking. Unassisted lifting limits between 30 and 50 lbs. Individuals may be required to do any or all of these situations throughout the work day, with an emphasis on walking and standing for a major portion of the day. The outside environment will comprise most of the day with some inside building activity.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Sales, Purchasing, and Management

Benefits (inferred)

• Medical insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)