At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and enhance the Pick Your Own farm retail experience for visitors.
- Company: Garson Farm, an award-winning destination with a rich history since 1871.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, employee discounts, pension scheme, and health support.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract with full-time hours and opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and create memorable experiences for farm visitors.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail or visitor services, strong leadership, and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 29472 - 33828 £ per year.
Garson Farm, Esher is seeking an enthusiastic and experienced Retail Manager, to lead and develop our award-winning Pick Your Own farm retail operation, working alongside the Crop Production Manager. This is an exciting operational leadership opportunity, delivering exceptional experiences and levels of customer service to our Farm visitors from May to October.
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? As the PYO Retail Manager, you will take the lead in delivering an excellent Pick Your Own experience. You will be responsible for the day-to-day PYO retail operations, 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 farm, including signage, staff rotas, packaging, customer service & tills.
- Ensuring we meet safety, quality and customer-experience standards.
- Managing and motivating the PYO sales team.
- Monitoring visitor feedback and driving continual improvement.
What skills and experience do you need?
- Strong background in visitor or retail experience, in a customer-facing environment.
- Excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Experience of leading teams in a busy, hands-on, outdoor setting.
- A proactive, customer-focused mindset and a passion for great retail.
Contract: This is a fixed-term contract, with immediate start until 1st November 2026.
Hours: This is a full-time role, including weekend work. 42.5 hours per week.
Location: This role is based at Garsons Esher, Surrey.
Salary: From £29,472 to £33,828 pro rata, per annum (depending on experience).
Package: 20% Employee discount (plus discount for designated household member), Pension scheme, Access to health and wellbeing support, 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.
Seasonal Pick Your Own Farm Retail Manager in Guildford employer: Garsons
Garson Farm in Esher is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises teamwork and customer satisfaction. With a strong commitment to employee growth, you will have the opportunity to lead a dedicated team in one of the UK's largest pick-your-own farms, while enjoying benefits such as a generous employee discount, health and wellbeing support, and a supportive environment that values your contributions. Join us in creating memorable experiences for our visitors from May to October, and be part of a company that has been recognised for its outstanding service since 1871.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal Pick Your Own Farm Retail Manager in Guildford
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Garsons and their values! Before your interview, do a bit of research on the farm and its history. Understanding what makes them tick will help you connect with the team and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their award-winning operation.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your customer service skills! Since this role is all about delivering exceptional experiences, think of examples from your past where you've gone above and beyond for customers. We want to see that you have a proactive, customer-focused mindset!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to talk teamwork! As a Retail Manager, you'll be leading a team, so come prepared with stories about how you've motivated and managed teams in busy environments. Highlight your organisational and communication skills to show us you're the right fit.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We recommend getting your application in early since we might close vacancies if we get too many applications. Plus, applying directly shows your enthusiasm for the role and gives you a better chance to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal Pick Your Own Farm Retail Manager in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Enthusiasm:When writing your application, let your passion for customer service and retail shine through. We want to see that you’re excited about the opportunity to lead our Pick Your Own farm retail operation!
Tailor Your Experience:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in visitor or retail management. We’re looking for someone who can bring their skills to our outdoor setting, so connect your past roles to what we do at Garsons.
Be Organised:Structure your application clearly. Use headings and bullet points where necessary to make it easy for us to read. A well-organised application reflects your organisational skills, which are key for this role!
Apply Early:Don’t wait until the last minute! We might close the vacancy early if we get a lot of applications. Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can to ensure you don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Garsons
✨Know Your Farm
Before the interview, do some research on Garsons and their Pick Your Own farm. Familiarise yourself with their values, awards, and what makes them stand out in the industry. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams in busy environments. Think about specific situations where you motivated staff or improved customer service. Be ready to discuss how you can bring that same energy to the PYO retail operation.
✨Customer Service is Key
Since this role focuses heavily on delivering exceptional customer experiences, be prepared to talk about your approach to customer service. Share stories that highlight your proactive mindset and how you've handled feedback or complaints in the past.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready that show your enthusiasm for the role. Ask about the team dynamics, how they measure success in the PYO operation, or what challenges they foresee in the upcoming season. This demonstrates your forward-thinking attitude.