Nursery Product Buyer - Temporary

HOMESTEAD GARDENS INC; Davidsonville (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary based on experience

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Paid time off

Employee discounts

Additional benefits as applicable

Job summary

HOMESTEAD GARDENS INC in Davidsonville, MD is seeking an experienced Nursery Buyer in a temporary role to lead sourcing, purchasing, merchandising and inventory management for the nursery department.

The position requires horticultural knowledge and strong vendor skills to negotiate terms and maintain optimal inventory levels throughout the growing season. Travel to vendor sites may be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in horticulture, agriculture, business or related field; preferred.
• 3+ years in purchasing, buying, category management or related retail experience, preferably in garden centers.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture, plant varieties and seasonal availability.
• Experience with retail purchasing, inventory management, margins, pricing and sales performance.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with ability to manage multiple priorities in a seasonal, fast-paced environment.
• Proficient with MS Office (Excel) and inventory/purchasing systems.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor visits.

Responsibilities

• Execute seasonal buying strategies for nursery plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals and related products.
• Source high-quality, unique products that meet customer demand and merchandising strategy.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight, availability and promotions with vendors.
• Coordinate purchases and deliveries to maintain appropriate inventory levels.
• Monitor inventory, margins, turns and sell-through; analyze sales data to optimize purchasing.
• Create attractive nursery displays with merchandising teams and manage product assortment.
• Collaborate with management on forecasts, budgets and category strategies.
• Assist with events, promotions and vendor programs to drive nursery sales.

Skills

Negotiation

Vendor management

Communication

Organization

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Horticulture/Ag/Business

Tools

Inventory systems

Inventory software

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Davidsonville, MD 21035, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 Salary, Job Category: 0.050, Retail Garden Center Nursery Buyer - Temporary Role

Position Overview

Are you passionate about plants, knowledgeable about horticulture, and energized by the challenge of turning that knowledge into a successful retail business?

We are looking for an experienced Nursery Buyer to fill in on the sourcing, purchasing, merchandising, and inventory management of our retail nursery department. This is a key role for someone who understands both plants and people—this is a temporary role.

Key Responsibilities

Buying & Vendor Management

• Execute seasonal buying strategies for nursery plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, houseplants, and related gardening products.
• Source high-quality, unique, and on-trend products that meet customer demand and support the garden center's merchandising strategy.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight, availability, and promotional opportunities with vendors.
• Coordinate purchases and deliveries to ensure appropriate inventory levels throughout the growing and selling seasons.

Inventory & Financial Management

• Monitor inventory levels, sales performance, margins, turns, shrink, and product sell-through.
• Analyze sales and inventory data to make informed purchasing decisions and maximize profitability.
• Identify slow-moving and overstocked products and develop strategies to improve sell-through.
• Balance inventory availability with responsible purchasing to minimize excess product, markdowns, and loss.
• Maintain accurate product information, pricing, vendor records, and purchasing documentation.

Merchandising & Customer Experience

• Partner with retail leadership and merchandising teams to create attractive, well-stocked, and customer-focused nursery displays.
• Help with product assortment, quantities, pricing, and placement based on customer preferences and sales performance.
• Use horticultural knowledge to help ensure the right plants are selected for the right customers, growing conditions, and seasons.
• Support a nursery environment that is visually appealing, well-maintained, and reflects the quality and expertise of the garden center.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with retail managers, nursery leadership, merchandising, inventory control, receiving, and marketing teams.
• Communicate purchasing plans, product availability, promotions, and seasonal priorities to the appropriate teams.
• Collaborate with management on seasonal forecasts, budgets, sales goals, and category strategies.
• Assist with special events, promotions, vendor programs, and other initiatives that drive nursery sales.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of purchasing, buying, category management, or related retail experience, preferably within a garden center, nursery, greenhouse, or horticultural business.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture, including plant varieties, growing requirements, seasonal availability, and current gardening trends.
• Demonstrated understanding of retail purchasing, inventory management, gross margin, pricing, and sales performance.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a seasonal, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with inventory or purchasing management systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a cross-functional team.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor visits, trade shows, and industry events.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• [Additional benefits as applicable]