Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the garden centre and café, ensuring exceptional customer experiences and smooth operations.
- Company: Join a vibrant garden centre in Winchester with a focus on retail and hospitality.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, car allowance, 31 days leave, and private healthcare.
- Why this job: Be a dynamic leader in a hands-on role that blends retail and hospitality.
- Qualifications: Proven retail management experience and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Passion for sustainability and a commitment to high standards are essential.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 40000 £ per year.
We’re looking for an experienced and motivated Garden Centre Manager to lead the day‑to‑day operation of our Hillier Garden Centre in Winchester, Hampshire, including its popular coffee shop. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader who thrives in a customer‑focused environment, enjoys a varied and hands‑on role, and can seamlessly bring together retail and hospitality to deliver an exceptional experience for every visitor.
This is a full‑time, permanent position, working an average of 37.5 hours per week, with alternate weekends off as part of the rota. We are offering a salary of circa £40,000 per annum, depending on experience, plus a car allowance.
Key responsibilities include:- Overseeing all areas of the garden centre, including retail and coffee shop operations
- Ensuring strong coordination between retail and hospitality to maximise performance and profitability
- Managing stock levels, supply chains, merchandising, and promotional activity
- Delivering excellent customer service and maintaining high standards of presentation across all departments
- Organising seasonal events, promotions, and customer engagement activities
- Monitoring budgets, controlling costs, and driving commercial performance
- Leading and developing teams across retail and hospitality, including staffing, rotas, recruitment, and performance reviews
- Ensuring compliance with all health, safety, and food hygiene requirements
- Maintaining safe working practices and completing risk assessments
- Managing stock, monitoring wastage, and maximising margin potential
- Ensuring accurate till operations, cash handling, and banking procedures
- Acting as a key holder and taking part in the duty manager rota
- Working closely with HR on performance, conduct, and employee matters
- Proven retail management experience, ideally within a garden centre or similar commercial environment
- Strong leadership skills with experience managing diverse teams
- Confidence in managing budgets, sales targets, and cost control
- Excellent communication and customer service skills
- Ability to multitask and manage competing priorities across retail and hospitality
- Inspiring leadership style with the ability to motivate and support teams
- Calm, resilient, and composed in a fast‑paced environment
- High attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards
- Commercially minded with a focus on sales growth and customer engagement
- Flexible and adaptable, particularly during peak seasonal periods
- Passion for sustainability and environmentally friendly practices
- Strong problem‑solving skills and proactive decision‑making
- Willingness to work weekends and Bank Holidays
A basic DBS check is required for this role (funded by the Company).
Benefits include:- Salary of circa £40,000 salary per annum
- Car allowance
- 31 days’ annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays)
- Employee discount
- Group Personal Pension Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Private Healthcare
- Employee Assistance Programme with retail discounts
- Free parking
- Complimentary access to the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Please note that we can only consider applicants who are already based in the UK and have the right to work. The closing date for applications is 15th April 2026, although we may close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of interest.
Garden Centre & Café Manager - Lead Retail & Hospitality in Winchester employer: Hillier Nurseries Ltd
Contact Detail:
Hillier Nurseries Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Centre & Café Manager - Lead Retail & Hospitality in Winchester
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Hillier Garden Centre and its values, especially their focus on customer experience and sustainability. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even put in a good word for you. Plus, it’s a great way to learn more about the team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think of examples from your past experiences where you've led teams, managed budgets, or improved customer service. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows professionalism and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Garden Centre & Café Manager - Lead Retail & Hospitality in Winchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your retail management experience, especially in garden centres or similar environments, to show us you’re the right fit for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re passionate about leading a garden centre and café. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams and delivered excellent customer service in the past.
Showcase Your Leadership Style: We want to see your inspiring leadership style! In your application, mention how you motivate and support your teams, especially in fast-paced environments. This will help us understand how you can lead our diverse teams effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Hillier Garden Centre.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hillier Nurseries Ltd
✨Know Your Garden Centre Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you research the Hillier Garden Centre thoroughly. Familiarise yourself with their offerings, customer service approach, and any recent events or promotions. This will show your genuine interest and help you connect your experience to their specific needs.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led diverse teams in previous roles. Think about times when you motivated staff, handled conflicts, or improved team performance. Highlighting these experiences will demonstrate that you have the inspiring leadership style they’re looking for.
✨Demonstrate Your Customer Focus
Be ready to discuss how you’ve delivered exceptional customer service in past positions. Share specific stories where you went above and beyond to enhance the customer experience, especially in a retail or hospitality setting. This aligns perfectly with their emphasis on customer engagement.
✨Prepare for Budget and Performance Questions
Since managing budgets and driving commercial performance is key for this role, brush up on your financial management skills. Be prepared to discuss how you've managed costs, met sales targets, and maximised profitability in previous roles. This will show you can handle the financial aspects of the position.