At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying process for horticulture, ensuring quality and innovation in our plant offerings.
- Company: Hillier, a family-run business with over 155 years of horticultural excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, and 31 days' holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and shape the future of horticulture at Hillier.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture buying and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Location: Romsey, Hampshire, United Kingdom
Hillier has been growing and inspiring the nation for more than 155 years, with 22 garden centres, award-winning nurseries and a reputation for horticultural excellence. As a sixth‑generation family business, we are proud to combine heritage with innovation, continually evolving our offer while staying true to our commitment to quality, expertise and exceptional customer experience.
This is a full‑time, permanent position based at the Hillier Support Centre in Ampfield, Hampshire, reporting to the Head of Buying and leading a team of two direct reports. The role offers a competitive salary and operates Monday to Friday during our standard office hours of 8.30am to 5.00pm. As Hillier is an on‑site employer, you will need to be able to commute comfortably to the Support Centre each day and be willing to travel to other Hillier locations and suppliers when required.
We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including a car allowance, the option to join our group pension plan and private healthcare scheme, life assurance, employee discount, and 31 days' holiday (including bank holidays).
The Senior Buyer (Horticulture) is responsible for leading the commercial performance of the horticulture category, ensuring Hillier delivers an exceptional, market‑leading plant offer that drives sales, margin, customer satisfaction and brand reputation. This role manages the full buying cycle from range planning and supplier negotiations to commercial analysis and in‑season trading, ensuring the horticulture category remains competitive, innovative and aligned to customer demand.
Key Responsibilities:
- Manage the full buying process, including sourcing, tendering, cost negotiation and contract management
- Build strong, collaborative relationships with growers and suppliers to secure quality, availability and competitive pricing
- Conduct regular supplier performance reviews, ensuring compliance with quality, delivery and commercial standards
- Source new suppliers and product innovation to maintain Hillier's reputation for horticultural excellence
- Lead seasonal and annual range planning, ensuring a balanced, commercially strong assortment across all plant groups
- Identify market trends, customer behaviours and emerging opportunities to strengthen Hillier's horticultural proposition
- Deliver sales, margin and stock targets for the horticulture category
- Analyse trading performance, identifying risks and opportunities, and taking action to optimise results
- Work closely with the Merchandise Planning Team to ensure availability, minimise waste and support accurate forecasting
- Manage cost prices, promotional plans and category budgets
- Act as the main point of contact for the Hillier in‑house plant nursery, ensuring seamless coordination on pricing, quality, availability and supply planning
- Partner with Retail Operations to ensure ranges are implemented effectively in centre
- Work with Marketing to support product launches, campaigns and seasonal storytelling
- Collaborate with the Space Planning Team to optimise layout, flow and customer experience
- Provide horticultural expertise and guidance across the business
- Attend trade shows and industry events
- Ensure all buying activity adheres to procurement governance, ethical sourcing standards and commercial policies
- Maintain accurate product and supplier data, ensuring compliance with internal and external requirements
- Lead, coach and develop two direct reports, ensuring clear objectives, strong performance and ongoing professional development
- Foster a positive, collaborative and high‑performing team culture
Skills and Experience:
Essential:
- Proven experience in a horticulture buying role within garden centre retail, plant production or a related environment
- Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering sales and margin growth
- Deep horticultural knowledge, including plant groups, seasonality, quality standards and supply cycles
- Excellent negotiation and supplier management skills
- Strong analytical capability with experience using commercial and trading data to drive decisions
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, seasonal environment
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
Desirable:
- Experience working within a multi‑site retail environment
- Knowledge of procurement governance and commercial compliance
- Experience with retail systems, forecasting tools and buying platforms
Personal Attributes:
- Passionate about plants and horticulture
- Commercially driven with a customer‑first mindset
- Collaborative, positive and solutions‑focused
- Highly organised with strong attention to detail
- Confident decision‑maker with the ability to influence at all levels
- Proactive, curious and committed to continuous improvement
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your application via the link provided or visit our Careers webpage at www.hillier.co.uk/careers. Please note that we will only consider candidates who are already located in the UK and have right to work status. We are an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
Senior Buyer (Horticulture) in Romsey employer: AgHires
Hillier is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values heritage and innovation in horticulture. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance, all within a supportive environment that fosters collaboration and professional development. Located in the picturesque Hampshire countryside, our team enjoys a fulfilling career while contributing to a legacy of horticultural excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer (Horticulture) in Romsey
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the horticulture industry, attend trade shows, and engage with potential employers on social media. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Hillier's values and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for horticulture and how you can contribute to their legacy of excellence.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to showcase your ability to secure the best deals. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Hillier family.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer (Horticulture) in Romsey
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in horticulture buying and any relevant achievements that showcase your commercial acumen. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about horticulture and how your skills align with our mission at Hillier. Keep it engaging and personal, so we get a sense of who you are.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role involves a lot of data analysis, make sure to mention any experience you have with commercial and trading data. We love candidates who can use numbers to drive decisions, so don’t hold back on those examples!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AgHires
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be ready to discuss different plant groups, seasonality, and quality standards. This will show that you’re not just a buyer but someone who truly understands the products.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations with suppliers. Highlight how you secured competitive pricing or improved quality. This will demonstrate your strong commercial acumen and ability to manage supplier relationships effectively.
✨Analyse Market Trends
Familiarise yourself with current market trends and customer behaviours in the horticulture sector. Being able to discuss these insights during the interview will show that you can identify opportunities and risks, which is crucial for the Senior Buyer role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since this role involves leading a team, be prepared to share your leadership experiences. Talk about how you've developed team members and fostered a positive culture. This will highlight your capability to manage and inspire others.
