Garden Center Store Leader & Buying Strategist

Esbenshades

Lititz (Lancaster County)

Hybrid

USD 62,000 - 65,000

Full time

7 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)

401(k) and Roth IRA options

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Competitive paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Esbenshade's is seeking a Store Manager to lead the Lititz retail location, overseeing nursery, greenhouse, garden center and design services with a focus on delivering an exceptional customer experience. The role blends hands-on leadership with strategic oversight of store operations, team development, merchandising, inventory, financial performance and customer service.

The ideal candidate brings 5+ years of retail leadership in horticulture and a passion for garden retail in a fast-paced,

Qualifications

5+ years of retail management experience in garden center or related retail.
Proven ability in team leadership and store operations.
Experience with retail buying, purchasing strategy and vendor relationships.
Knowledge of horticulture and seasonal product cycles.
Strong organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proficiency with POS systems and inventory management.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Horticulture certification or related education preferred.
Experience with visual merchandising in garden retail environment preferred.
Familiarity with design/build retail services or landscaping support preferred.

Responsibilities

Oversee day-to-day operations of Lititz location including nursery, greenhouse, garden center, design, perennials and cashier/customer service departments.
Ensure the store meets or exceeds sales, service, operational and safety goals.
Maintain high standards for store presentation, operational consistency, cleanliness and safety.
Partner with department managers and store leadership to support a seamless customer experience from shopping to checkout.
Lead, coach and support department managers, team leads and retail associates.
Foster a positive, customer-focused culture built on accountability, teamwork and recognition.
Manage staffing, scheduling, performance reviews, coaching and team development.
Support team members in delivering knowledgeable, friendly and solution-oriented customer service.
Partner with the Lead Buyer on product categories including garden center, pottery, seeds and bulbs, patio furniture and birding.
Assist with in-season purchasing and product assortment decisions beyond core items.
Monitor inventory levels and coordinate product flow to optimize stock across stores within assigned categories.
Analyze sales trends, seasonal demand and customer preferences to support purchasing and inventory planning.
Collaborate with marketing, buying and department leaders to execute promotions and visual merchandising plans.
Maintain exceptional service standards throughout the store.
Resolve escalated customer concerns professionally and promptly.
Work closely with department leaders to ensure departments are well-stocked, attractive, easy to shop and aligned with seasonal needs.
Support the Director of Retail Operations in achieving budget, revenue and profitability goals.
Review store performance metrics, identify opportunities and implement improvement plans.
Ensure accuracy in POS systems, pricing, inventory management and reporting.