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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team to create inspiring retail spaces and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Join the friendly team at The Millbrook Garden Company in Gravesend.
- Benefits: Enjoy sociable hours, professional growth, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while inspiring customers and leading a passionate team.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and strong leadership skills are essential.
- Other info: Be part of a positive culture that values teamwork and customer satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Join Our Friendly Team! Are you passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences? Do you love leading teams, driving commercial success, and creating inspiring retail spaces? If so, we’d love to hear from you! We’re looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and people-focused Lifestyle Manager at our Gravesend branch to join our team and help lead our lifestyle departments to success.
About the Role
As our Lifestyle Manager, you’ll play a key role in supporting the wider garden centre team to deliver the outstanding service Millbrook is known for. You’ll oversee the day-to-day running of our lifestyle departments—ensuring they look fantastic, operate smoothly, and meet company expectations. This is a hands-on leadership position where you’ll guide, coach, and inspire your team, all while ensuring our commercial, operational, and customer service goals are achieved.
Your Day-to-Day Will Include:
- People Management
- Recruiting, training, and developing team members
- Holding regular one-to-ones, appraisals, and performance reviews
- Creating staff rotas to ensure excellent department coverage
- Communicating clearly and consistently with the team
- Addressing performance issues promptly and professionally
- Promoting a positive, enjoyable, and collaborative working environment
- Achieving sales and profit margin targets
- Managing inventory and maintaining accurate stock levels
- Maximising commercial opportunities through strong planning and merchandising
- Monitoring wages-to-sales ratios to meet targets
- Operational Management
- Overseeing daily operations in the lifestyle departments
- Maintaining excellent merchandising, health & safety, and compliance standards
- Ensuring stock is well-presented, high quality, and ordered appropriately
- Optimising sales per square metre through creative layout and display
- Supporting marketing initiatives, including The Millbrook Family programme
- Participating in the Duty Manager rota for opening and closing the centre (which would involve you being a key holder).
- Customer Service
- Ensuring every customer receives outstanding service
- Handling queries and complaints with professionalism and empathy
- Inspiring and educating customers through knowledgeable, friendly interactions
- Delivering engaging and informative displays that enhance the shopping experience
- Strategic Development
- Supporting the delivery of company business plans
- Working closely with the Centre Manager and leadership team
- Leading seasonal transitions and promotional activity
- Promoting sustainability and environmentally conscious solutions
- Taking part in projects that support wider business goals
What We’re Looking For
We’re searching for someone who is:
- Positive - You bring energy, optimism, and a “can-do” attitude to each day.
- Professional - You take pride in your work and lead by example, with excellent organisational and communication skills.
- Proactive - Full of ideas and initiative, you’re always looking for ways to improve processes, displays, and customer experience.
- People-Focused - You genuinely care about your team and your customers, creating a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.
Also Essential:
- Experience managing retail or similar customer-facing operations
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to coach and develop others
- Confidence in managing financial targets and operational standards
- A passion for great service and creating an exceptional experience
What You’ll Get in Return
- Sociable working hours and great work/life balance
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Access to our Personal Pension Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free on-site parking
- Uniform provided
Why Join Millbrook?
At Millbrook, we believe in growing smiles—for our customers and our colleagues. We’re committed to creating a positive, supportive, and professional working environment where everyone thrives. By joining us, you’ll be part of a passionate team who care about inspiring customers, supporting each other, and making Millbrook the best it can be.
To Apply for this Role
Please complete our Application Form and upload your CV.
Closing Date: 5pm Sunday 8th February 2026
Correspondence: All communication will be via telephone and email—please include both on your application.
Support: If you require any adjustments during the application or interview process, we’re happy to help.
Appointment Process
- Telephone Interviews: ASAP upon receipt of application
- Lost at Sea Team ZOOM Exercise: 18th / 19th March
- Trial Shift: TBC
- Induction Date: Sunday 8th March
- Start Date: Following induction
Please note: To be successful, you must be available for all parts of the recruitment process. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early should we receive a sufficient number of applications, so early submission is encouraged!
Lifestyle Manager – The Millbrook Garden Company Gravesend employer: The Millbrook Garden Company Ltd
Contact Detail:
The Millbrook Garden Company Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lifestyle Manager – The Millbrook Garden Company Gravesend
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on The Millbrook Garden Company. Understand their values, mission, and what makes them tick. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your experience aligns with the role of Lifestyle Manager. Highlight your leadership skills and customer service passion—these are key for this position!
✨Tip Number 3
Dress to impress! Make sure you look smart and professional for your interview. First impressions matter, and showing that you take pride in your appearance reflects your attitude towards the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’d be a fantastic fit for the Lifestyle Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace Lifestyle Manager – The Millbrook Garden Company Gravesend
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for delivering exceptional customer experiences shine through. We want to see how your passion aligns with our values at Millbrook!
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in retail management and customer service. We love seeing how you've led teams and driven success in previous roles, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure your skills and experiences are easy to read and understand. This helps us get to know you better!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Millbrook Garden Company Ltd
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Lifestyle Manager and what The Millbrook Garden Company stands for. Familiarise yourself with their values, customer service approach, and any recent initiatives they've launched. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the company and how you can contribute to their success.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lifestyle Manager, you'll be leading a team, so be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Think of specific examples where you've successfully coached or developed team members. Highlight how you’ve handled performance issues or created a positive work environment in the past.
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Customer service is key in this role, so be ready to tackle hypothetical scenarios during the interview. Think about how you would handle a difficult customer or a complaint. Show that you can remain calm, professional, and empathetic while finding a solution that aligns with the company's values.
✨Bring Your Ideas to the Table
The Millbrook Garden Company is looking for someone proactive and full of ideas. Prepare to share your thoughts on improving processes, displays, or customer experiences. This shows that you're not just a fit for the role but also someone who can drive innovation and contribute to the company's growth.
