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 a market-leading company.
- 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
- 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
- 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 employer: Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Hillier is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values innovation and collaboration within the horticultural sector. With a commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a competitive salary, private healthcare, and generous holiday allowances, all while fostering a supportive environment at our picturesque Support Centre in Ampfield, Hampshire. Join us to be part of a sixth-generation family business that not only prioritises quality and customer satisfaction but also encourages personal development and teamwork.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Buyer - Horticulture
✨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’s values and recent projects. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for horticulture and how your experience aligns with their mission. Tailor your responses to highlight your commercial acumen and supplier management skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the role. We love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Plus, it helps us keep track of your application and gives you a better shot at standing out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Buyer - Horticulture
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. This way, you can ensure that all your details are captured correctly and we can process your application smoothly!
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. 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 where you achieved great results. Highlight your ability to secure competitive pricing and quality. This is crucial for the Senior Buyer role, so make sure you can demonstrate your commercial acumen.
✨Understand Market Trends
Research current market trends in horticulture and be ready to discuss how they could impact Hillier’s offerings. Showing that you can identify customer behaviours and emerging opportunities will set you apart as a candidate who can drive sales and margin growth.
✨Team Leadership Experience
Be ready to talk about your experience leading teams. Share specific examples of how you've developed team members and fostered a positive culture. This role involves managing two direct reports, so demonstrating your leadership style will be key.
