Garden Centre Manager

Garden Centre Manager | Wickford

Hours: Full-time, 45 hours a week, alternate weekends

Salary: Flexible

If you''re someone who loves the buzz of garden retail, enjoys leading a team from the front, and takes pride in creating a centre customers genuinely enjoy visiting, this could be the opportunity for you.

We''re looking for an experienced Garden Centre Manager to join the UK''s leading family-owned garden centre group. This is a busy, hands-on role where you''ll have the chance to make a real impact; leading your team, driving performance, and creating an environment where both customers and colleagues thrive.

You''ll be leading the full operation with a good level of autonomy, keeping standards high, motivating the team through busy trading periods, and making sure every customer leaves having had a great experience. Whether it''s driving sales, managing stock, supporting colleague development, or jumping onto the shop floor when needed, no two days will be the same, which makes this role even more rewarding.

They''re looking for someone who brings energy, commercial awareness, and a genuine passion for people and retail. In return, you''ll be joining a growing business where your experience, ideas, and leadership will truly be valued.

What the role will involve:

• Leading the shop floor and creating a positive customer experience
• Managing KPIs, budgets, rotas, and overall commercial performance
• Coaching, developing, and motivating the wider team
• Overseeing stock control, ordering, and merchandising standards
• Ensuring compliance across health & safety, cash handling, EPOS, and company procedures
• Supporting succession planning and colleague training
• Keyholder responsibilities and day-to-day operational management

What we''re looking for:

• Previous retail management experience at the Manager or Deputy Manager level
• Experience in Garden Retail is desirable
• Strong retail leadership skills within a fast-paced environment
• A hands-on approach with the ability to lead by example
• Excellent communication and team management skills
• Commercial awareness with a focus on results and customer service
• Plant knowledge or horticultural experience is desirable
• Confident using Excel for rotas, budgeting, and reporting

What''s on offer:

• Staff discount across garden centres, restaurants, and leisure facilities
• Free staff parking
• Long-term development opportunities within a growing business

If you''re passionate about retail, enjoy leading teams, and want to be part of a growing and forward-thinking business, please get in contact with Elleanna, at (url removed)!