Position: Garden Center Manager
Position Overview:
This position manages the entire garden center primarily through the direct reports (Department Team Leads) and is responsible for establishing a positive, productive, and professional sales environment for WN through training, compliance with POS procedures, merchandising/layout, safety, and upholding high customer service standards in order to produce great experiences for our customers.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Plan and oversee company’s onboarding and ongoing training programs so that staff is trained to a high standard and all employees are individually addressed so they have maximum potential to provide great experiences for our customers with the wide range of products we offer and can realize opportunities to advance and take on more responsibility within the company.
- Work closely with team leads to lead the garden center to perform at a high level as it pertains to all aspects of internal & external customer service, product knowledge, POS training, Inventory accountability, product displays/merchandising, plant health and overall efficiency of the operation.
- Conduct performance evaluations for direct reports and hold supervisors accountable for conducting performance evaluations for their reports.
- Actively engage with customers to provide information and advice on all products we offer.
- Based on budgeted sales and inventory levels, oversee, and participate where needed with purchasing in all departments including all green goods and hard goods departments starting with a spring stocking plan and replenishment throughout the year.
- Oversee the sales order and transfer processes so that all stock is collected in a timely manner and future transactions (pick-ups, deliveries, plantings) are conducted seamlessly.
- Work closely with design department manager, particularly with scheduling and operational support, so that crews can load and operate efficiently, customers are serviced in a timely manner, and projects are completed/invoiced on time and accurately.
- Oversee all aspects of the building and grounds to plan and maintain the assets in order to best service our customers and function well for our staff to operate efficiently.
- Participate with management team in weekly meetings and periodic strategic meetings to identify areas of future growth that will meet our goals and adhere to our core values.
- Work with marketing by providing input for effective marketing campaigns that draw customers to the store and delight them once they get here with excellent in-store preparedness.
- Work with President and CFO to develop an accurate annual budget that is reflective of our current business environment and provides growth year over year.
- Plan adequate staffing schedule according to budget and customer flow.
- Conduct weekly safety meetings so all staff is aware of any potential hazards they could encounter and carry out their daily tasks in a safe manner.
Skills and Qualifications
- 3-5 years of retail store/service management.
- Has the personal attributes necessary to lead, coach and develop a strong team.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills are important when interacting with customers, peers and direct reports.
- Possesses strong organizational skills and the ability to organize workforce and delegate responsibilities. Planning and follow through are key to ensure all retail opportunities achieved.
- Recognizes the importance of achieving store success as well as teamwork with other parts of the company.
- Horticultural knowledge preferred. If not, interest and ability to acquire through formal training or on-the-job experience is a must.
- Ability to work weekends and during peak customer flow times.
- Ability to perform heavy manual tasks under varying weather conditions.
- Ability to work in adverse weather conditions, both heat and cold.
- Must be physically able to lift up to 50 pounds without assistance on a regular basis throughout the course of the work day.
- Must demonstrate thorough understanding of the body mechanics associated with safe lifting techniques and knowledge of principles of strain and sprain prevention.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Weston Nurseries does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability and genetic information, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state and local law.
