At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop our Pick Your Own operation and exciting farm events.
- Company: Join Garsons, an award-winning garden centre and pick-your-own farm.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, employee discounts, and generous holiday leave.
- Other info: Full-time role with opportunities for growth and a supportive team culture.
- Why this job: Create memorable experiences for visitors while working outdoors in a vibrant environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in events management and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30060 - 33828 £ per year.
Garson Farm, Esher is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Pick Your Own Retail & Farm Events Manager, to lead and develop our award-winning Pick Your Own operation and our growing programme of farm-based events. This is an exciting opportunity to combine operational leadership with creative event planning, delivering exceptional experiences that delight our visitors throughout the year.
Working alongside the Crop Production Manager, this role primarily leads the PYO Retail operations on the farm, in addition to managing farm-based events such as Garsons Maize Maze, Pumpkin Parade and more.
Who are Garsons? Founded in 1871, today Garsons is an award-winning destination Garden Centre, Farm Shop and Restaurant with locations in Esher, Surrey and Titchfield, Hampshire. Garsons Esher is also home to one of the UK's largest pick-your-own farms, voted Best PYO of the Year 2025 by the Farm Retail Association. We're honoured to have won numerous awards for our outstanding customer service and quality products, which we couldn't achieve without our valued team. We've built our reputation on friendly, reliable service with a smile, and we're always keen to meet those who share our values.
What does the role involve? You’ll be working outdoors in all weather, carrying out a variety of practical, hands-on tasks. As the PYO Retail & Farm Events Manager, you will take the lead in delivering an excellent Pick Your Own experience while developing and managing a variety of farm-based events. From seasonal activities and family days to educational experiences and community-focused events, you will ensure every visitor enjoys a memorable trip to Garsons. You will be responsible for the staffing of the PYO sales team, the coordination and operational management of both PYO and events, working closely with our wider teams to enhance our offering and drive continued growth.
Responsibilities:
- Overseeing the day-to-day management and presentation of the Pick Your Own site, signage, staff rotas, packaging, customer service & tills
- Building upon our existing farm-based events such as the Maze and Pumpkin Parade
- Ensuring all events meet safety, quality and customer-experience standards
- Managing and motivating the PYO and events teams, including seasonal recruitment.
- Working with internal teams to promote events and visitor experiences.
- Monitoring visitor feedback and driving continual improvement.
- Sourcing and organising equipment, materials, signage and resources needed for events.
What skills and experience do you need?
- Strong background in visitor experience, events management or a similar customer-facing environment.
- Excellent organisational skills with the ability to plan and deliver events.
- Experience of leading teams in a busy, hands-on, outdoor setting.
- A proactive, customer-focused mindset and a passion for creating memorable experiences.
- A practical approach and confidence working across varied outdoor tasks.
Contract: This is a full-time role, including weekend work during the summer season.
Location: This role is based at Garsons Esher, Surrey.
Salary: From £30,060 to £33,828 per annum (depending on experience).
Package:
- 20% Employee discount (plus discount for designated household member)
- 28 days paid holiday increasing to 31 days with 2 years’ service (pro rata)
- Company bonus scheme
- Pension scheme
- Access to health and wellbeing support
- Service rewards awarded for 10 years’ and 25 years’ service
- Company events
- Discounted ‘Pick Your Own’ fruit and vegetables
- Uniform provided
- Free car parking on site
Note: We may close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications. Therefore, we recommend you apply early.
Pick Your Own Retail & Farm Events Manager in Esher employer: Garsons
Contact Detail:
Garsons Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Pick Your Own Retail & Farm Events Manager in Esher
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Garsons! Research their values, events, and what makes them tick. When you walk into that interview, show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely connects with their mission.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your application. It’s all about making connections that can give you an edge.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the hands-on part of the role. Think about how you’d manage outdoor events and lead a team in a busy environment. Be ready to share your ideas on improving visitor experiences during the interview!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Garsons family. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Pick Your Own Retail & Farm Events Manager in Esher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for the role shine through! We want to see your love for creating memorable experiences and your excitement about working outdoors. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your passion for events management and customer service.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Pick Your Own Retail & Farm Events Manager role. Highlight your experience in visitor experience and events management, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on outdoor work you've done. We’re looking for someone who can lead our teams effectively!
Be Specific: In your written application, be specific about your achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities of the role. Use examples that demonstrate your organisational skills and ability to manage events. This will help us see how you can contribute to our award-winning team.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our future team members!
How to prepare for a job interview at Garsons
✨Know Your PYO Operations
Before the interview, make sure you understand the ins and outs of Pick Your Own operations. Familiarise yourself with Garsons' current offerings, like the Maize Maze and Pumpkin Parade, and think about how you can enhance these experiences. This will show your genuine interest and readiness to contribute.
✨Showcase Your Event Management Skills
Prepare examples from your past experience where you've successfully planned and executed events. Highlight your organisational skills and how you managed teams in busy environments. Be ready to discuss specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Garsons prides itself on outstanding customer service, so be prepared to talk about how you’ve created memorable experiences for visitors in previous roles. Share stories that demonstrate your proactive, customer-focused mindset and how you handle feedback to drive improvement.
✨Be Ready for Practical Questions
Since this role involves hands-on tasks outdoors, expect practical questions about managing staff and operations in varying weather conditions. Think about how you would motivate your team and ensure safety and quality standards are met during events.