Garden/Nursery Manager

Ace Hardware; Windsor, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Garrett Ace Hardware in Windsor, CA is seeking a hands-on Garden Center Manager to lead the garden team, oversee daily operations, and help customers feel confident tackling gardening projects.

This family-owned store emphasizes serving the community and creating a welcoming shopping experience, with a focus on plant care, displays, and seasonal promotions while maintaining inventory and store profitability.

Qualifications

• Experience in a garden center or related retail environment.
• Leadership experience and ability to train, motivate, and organize a team.
• Working knowledge of seasonal gardening and plant care.

Responsibilities

• Lead the garden team with daily priorities and delegation.
• Coach associates on plant knowledge, department standards, and customer assistance.
• Oversee inventory, purchasing coordination, and seasonal merchandising.
• Help customers choose plants and care guidance; develop workshops and promotions.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Plant knowledge

Customer service

Communication

Problem solving

Job description

Garrett Ace Hardware is looking for a hands-on Garden Center Manager who enjoys plants, people, and creating a welcoming place to shop. You’ll lead the garden team, oversee daily operations, and help customers feel confident tackling their gardening projects.

We’re a family-owned business that believes in serving, supporting, and strengthening our community—one customer and project at a time.

What You’ll Do

Lead the team

• Set clear daily priorities and delegate responsibilities for plant care, freight, merchandising, and customer service.
• Coach and train associates on plant knowledge, department standards, and helping customers.
• Coordinate staffing needs with store leadership and adjust coverage during busy periods.
• Build a positive team environment with clear communication and accountability.

Maintain a healthy, inviting garden center

• Oversee watering, pruning, feeding, and overall plant health.
• Establish plant care routines and ensure tasks are completed consistently.
• Keep displays, aisles, and work areas clean, organized, safe, and easy to shop.
• Create attractive seasonal displays and maintain accurate pricing and signage.

Manage inventory and department performance

• Monitor inventory, identify replenishment needs, and coordinate purchasing with ownership.
• Receive and inspect deliveries for quality and accuracy.
• Plan seasonal assortments and promotions with purchasing and store leadership.
• Track sales, plant loss, and inventory levels to support profitability and reduce waste.

Help customers succeed

• Recommend plants and products suited to customers’ spaces, growing conditions, and projects.
• Share practical advice on planting, soil, watering, fertilizing, and ongoing care.
• Support the team on the sales floor and handle customer concerns with care.
• Help develop garden workshops, events, and promotions.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience in a garden center, nursery, horticulture, or a related retail environment.
• Leadership experience and the ability to train, motivate, and organize a team.
• Working knowledge of plants, seasonal gardening, and plant care; familiarity with Sonoma County growing conditions is a plus.
• Strong customer service, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to balance customer needs with daily operational responsibilities.
• A proactive approach to solving problems and following through.
• Availability to work weekends and during peak gardening seasons.

Physical Requirements

This is an active role involving standing, walking, bending, watering, and moving plants and garden products in indoor and outdoor conditions. Candidates must be able to perform the essential duties of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Company Introduction

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.