At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a team while driving sales and improving customer experience.
- Company: Established garden retail site in Exeter, transitioning to a structured group operation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £45,000 and significant autonomy in shaping the centre's culture.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact during a key transition and lead a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Strong retail management experience, preferably in garden centres or similar sectors.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
Location: Exeter, Devon
Salary: £40,000 - £45,000
This is an exciting opportunity to take on a Garden Centre Manager role at a well‑established garden retail site in Exeter, with an initial turnover of circa £2 million and a team of around 20 colleagues. The business is entering a new phase, transitioning from independent ownership into a more structured group operation. This is a genuine opportunity to step in, take ownership, and shape standards, performance, and team capability from the ground up.
What you’ll be doing:
- As Garden Centre Manager, you’ll be responsible for the full operational and commercial performance of the site, setting the tone and standards for the entire team.
- Full accountability for sales, KPIs, and overall site performance, with a focus on growing turnover from its £2m base.
- Leading, developing, and structuring a team of 20, identifying and addressing capability gaps as the business evolves.
- Taking a hands‑on leadership approach on the shop floor, driving a strong retail culture and high standards.
- Embedding best‑in‑class retail practices, improving merchandising, stock control, and customer experience.
- Overseeing all day‑to‑day operations, including rotas, recruitment, and performance management.
- Supporting and overseeing the restaurant manager to ensure alignment across the wider site.
- Implementing structure and processes where needed, as the centre transitions from an independent model.
- Ensuring full compliance with health & safety and operational procedures.
- Playing a key role in building a cohesive, engaged team during a period of change.
What they’re looking for:
- A strong retail manager with experience running a store or site of similar scale.
- Proven ability to lead and develop teams, particularly through periods of change or transformation.
- Commercially driven, with confidence managing KPIs and driving sales performance.
- A hands‑on, visible leader who leads from the front.
- Experience within garden centres is highly desirable, but strong retail backgrounds (DIY, home improvement, discount retail, etc.) will be considered.
- Someone comfortable stepping into a business where structure is still being developed.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to manage change sensitively and effectively.
Why join?
- Significant autonomy to shape the culture, standards, and commercial direction.
- A centre at a key transition point, part of and supported by a much larger group.
- Competitive salary package up to £45,000.
- A varied role combining retail leadership with light‑touch hospitality oversight.
This is an ideal role for an experienced retail manager looking to step into garden centre management, or an existing GCM seeking a site where they can truly make their mark.
Senior Garden Centre Manager: Lead Growth & Change in Exeter employer: Job Search Place Limited
Join a dynamic team at our Exeter garden centre, where you will have the unique opportunity to lead and shape a thriving retail environment during an exciting transition. With a competitive salary of up to £45,000, we offer significant autonomy, a supportive culture, and the chance to develop your leadership skills while driving performance and enhancing customer experience. This role is perfect for those looking to make a meaningful impact in a well-established business that values growth and employee development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Garden Centre Manager: Lead Growth & Change in Exeter
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the retail and garden centre industry. Attend local events or join online groups where you can meet people who might know about job openings or can give you insider tips.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their current challenges, especially as they transition into a structured group operation. This will help you showcase how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully led teams through change. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve driven performance in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in the process.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Garden Centre Manager: Lead Growth & Change in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Retail:When you're writing your application, let your love for retail shine through! We want to see how your experience aligns with the exciting opportunity of leading a garden centre. Share specific examples of how you've driven sales and improved team performance in your previous roles.
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for this role. Highlight your experience in managing teams and driving KPIs, especially during periods of change. We’re looking for someone who can step in and make an impact, so show us how you’ve done that before!
Be Authentic and Personable:We love a bit of personality! Don’t be afraid to let your unique voice come through in your application. Share your leadership style and how you connect with your team. Remember, we’re looking for a hands-on leader who can inspire others, so let that shine through!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at this exciting time!
How to prepare for a job interview at Job Search Place Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to garden centres or retail management. Be ready to discuss how you've driven sales and improved performance in previous roles, as this will show your commercial acumen.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through change. Highlight your hands-on approach and how you’ve developed team capabilities. This is crucial for a role that requires leading a team during a transition.
✨Understand the Business Transition
Research the company’s current phase and be prepared to discuss how you would implement structure and processes. Showing that you understand the challenges of moving from independent ownership to a group operation will set you apart.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Strong communication skills are essential, especially when managing change. Be ready to demonstrate how you’ve handled sensitive situations in the past.
