At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the buying process for horticulture, ensuring quality and competitive pricing.
- 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: Join a collaborative team and enjoy excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape the future of UK horticulture and drive innovation in plant offerings.
- Qualifications: Experience in horticulture buying and strong commercial acumen required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
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. As part of our vertically integrated horticultural operation, Hillier grows more than one million plants each year at our renowned Brentry Nursery in Hampshire. This scale of production underpins our market‑leading plant offer and provides a unique level of quality control, innovation and supply continuity across all 22 garden centres.
We are now seeking a talented Senior Buyer (Horticulture) to help shape the future of our plant offer and strengthen Hillier’s position as a market leader in UK horticulture. 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.
The Senior Buyer will work closely with the Head of Buying to shape category strategy, optimise supplier partnerships and deliver a compelling, profitable horticulture range across all garden centres. The Senior Buyer will also provide day‑to‑day leadership, ensuring strong performance, clear priorities and effective development within the team.
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
- 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
- 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
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 England employer: Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Hillier is an exceptional employer that combines over 155 years of horticultural excellence with a commitment to innovation and quality. Located in the picturesque Hampshire countryside, our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and professional growth, offering comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowance. As a sixth-generation family business, we value our employees and provide unique opportunities to shape the future of horticulture while enjoying a fulfilling career in a vibrant and dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Horticulture in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the horticulture industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Hillier and its horticultural offerings. Understand their market position and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their goals. Show them you're not just another candidate; you're genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Senior Buyer, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to secure quality and competitive pricing. Role-play scenarios with friends or mentors to build confidence and refine your approach 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 serious about joining the Hillier team and ready to take on the challenge of leading their horticulture category.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Horticulture in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Horticulture:When writing your application, let your love for plants and horticulture shine through! Share any relevant experiences or projects that highlight your enthusiasm and knowledge in the field.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to align with the Senior Buyer role. Highlight your experience in buying, supplier management, and any specific achievements that demonstrate your commercial acumen.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key skills and experiences at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillier Nurseries Ltd
✨Know Your Horticulture
Brush up on your horticultural knowledge before the interview. Be prepared to discuss different plant groups, seasonality, and quality standards. Showing that you understand the nuances of the industry will impress the interviewers at Hillier.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Acumen
Be ready to talk about your experience in driving sales and margin growth. Prepare specific examples of how you've successfully managed supplier negotiations or optimised product ranges in previous roles. This will demonstrate your strong commercial mindset.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with suppliers and team members. Discuss any past experiences where collaboration led to successful outcomes. Hillier values teamwork, so showing that you can foster a positive environment will be key.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in a fast-paced environment. Think of scenarios where you've had to manage multiple priorities or adapt to market trends. Being able to articulate your thought process will set you apart from other candidates.
