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- Tasks: Lead daily operations at our vibrant garden centre, ensuring top-notch customer service and product quality.
- Company: Join Hillier Nurseries Ltd, a beloved family business with over 150 years of gardening expertise.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous discounts, sociable hours, and extensive training opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a fun team, make a positive impact, and thrive in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Previous retail management experience and a passion for customer service are essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including weekends, and a commitment to sustainability are key aspects of this role.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Our Hillier Garden Centre at Weyhill is a well‐established and popular destination for gardening enthusiasts, offering a wide range of plants, gifts, outdoor living products and expert advice.
We are now seeking an experienced Garden Centre Shop Manager to lead the day‐to‐day retail operation within the garden centre shop. This is a key role within the centre, responsible for delivering exceptional customer service, maintaining high retail standards, driving commercial performance, and ensuring the smooth running of the garden centre shop.
This role requires strong multi‐category retail experience, excellent merchandising capability, and the confidence to lead a diverse team in a fast‐paced, seasonal environment. The Shop Manager will also be expected to deputise for the Garden Centre Manager when required, and may occasionally support other Hillier centres, including travel to other Hillier locations.
This is a full‐time, permanent position working 37.5 hours per week on a rota basis, averaged over a two‐week pattern.
Benefits
Salary of up to £35,000 per annum (depending on experience)
Life assurance at 4 x annual salary
Option to join enhanced group pension plan
Sociable hours
Full training
Online Learning Hub
Employee discount of 20%
Discount of 50% on restaurant menu whilst on shift
31 days annual leave
Free on‐site parking
Enhanced Employee Assistance Programme for both you and your immediate family, including free counselling on health, financial, legal and personal/family matters
Company Christmas gifts (eligibility based on start date with Company)
Free access to exclusive retail discounts, deals and coupons, plus extra cashback on your Amazon and food shop
Free solo entry to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens, Romsey and deals at other gardens nationally
Skills and Experience
Previous experience in retail management, ideally within a multi‐category retail environment.
Strong merchandising skills, with the ability to deliver high retail standards, impactful displays, and effective space utilisation.
Demonstrable experience in leading a team, managing staff, and promoting a positive work environment.
Ability to deputise for the Garden Centre Manager and support wider centre operations when required.
Willingness to travel occasionally to support other Hillier Garden Centres.
Experience of managing budgets, sales targets, cost control, and improving profitability.
Personal attributes
Ability to lead, inspire, and motivate a diverse team of staff.
Strong delegation skills to ensure efficient task distribution across the team/other departments.
Problem‐solving mindset to address daily operational challenges swiftly and effectively.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, ensuring that customers have a positive shopping experience.
A natural ability to manage complaints and feedback professionally and proactively.
Passion for customer service and the ability to create a welcoming environment.
Strong multitasking abilities to manage the shop and food hall, including stock control, operations, and staffing.
High attention to detail, ensuring the shop and food hall area is well‐presented and efficiently managed.
Ability to adapt to seasonal demands and changes in customer preferences.
Willingness to work flexible hours, including weekends and Bank Holidays.
Enthusiasm for sustainability and environmentally friendly practices.
Ability to stay calm and composed in a challenging environment, particularly during busy seasons.
Initiative to take ownership of tasks and make decisions that benefit the business.
You will be joining a renowned and established family business of over 150 years, working in a fun and friendly environment with an amazing bunch of people. We also place great value on all our team members and how they contribute to the ongoing success and growth of our Company.
Have we captured your interest, and would you like to know more? Then please apply and we will be in touch with you soon.
Please note that we will only consider candidates who are already located in the UK and have right to work status.
EEO StatementWe 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.
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Garden Centre Shop Manager employer: Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Contact Detail:
Hillier Nurseries Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Centre Shop Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific products and services offered at Hillier Garden Centre. Understanding their range of plants, gifts, and outdoor living products will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your passion for gardening.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your leadership skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully managed teams in previous roles. Highlight any initiatives you've implemented that improved team morale or customer service, as this aligns perfectly with the role's requirements.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the latest trends in retail management and customer service within the gardening sector. Being knowledgeable about current practices can set you apart and show that you're proactive about improving shop operations and customer experiences.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your approach to budget management and profitability. Be ready to share specific strategies you've used to meet sales targets and control costs, as this is a key aspect of the Garden Centre Shop Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Garden Centre Shop Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail management, team leadership, and customer service. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to manage budgets and improve profitability.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for gardening and customer service. Mention how your personal attributes align with the company's values and how you can contribute to creating a welcoming environment.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as problem-solving, multitasking, and strong communication. Provide examples of how you've successfully managed staff and handled complaints in previous roles.
Show Enthusiasm for Sustainability: Since the role values sustainability, mention any relevant experience or initiatives you've been involved in that promote environmentally friendly practices. This will show your alignment with the company's ethos.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillier Nurseries Ltd
✨Show Your Passion for Gardening
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for gardening and the products offered at the garden centre. Share any personal experiences or projects that highlight your love for plants and outdoor living, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led a team in previous roles. Discuss your approach to motivating staff, managing conflicts, and creating a positive work environment, as these are crucial for the Garden Centre Shop Manager position.
✨Understand Financial Management
Be ready to discuss your experience with budget management, sales targets, and cost control. Highlight specific instances where you improved profitability or optimised performance, as this will show your capability to meet revenue objectives.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Excellence
Prepare to talk about your commitment to customer service. Share examples of how you've handled complaints or created a welcoming atmosphere for customers, as this is key to ensuring a positive shopping experience at the garden centre.