At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and shape a thriving garden centre, driving sales and team performance.
- Company: Established garden retail site in Exeter, transitioning to a structured group operation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £45,000, autonomy, and support from a larger group.
- Other info: Ideal for experienced managers looking to make their mark in garden centre management.
- Why this job: Make a real impact during a key transition and develop a strong retail culture.
- Qualifications: Strong retail management experience, team leadership skills, and a hands-on approach.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 45000 £ per year.
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:
- 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.
Apply now. To apply, send your CV or get in touch for a confidential discussion.
Garden Centre Operations Manager. Job in Exeter LilyLifestyle Jobs employer: United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
Join a dynamic team at our well-established garden centre in Exeter, where you will have the unique opportunity to lead and shape a thriving retail environment during an exciting transition phase. With a competitive salary package and significant autonomy, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, allowing you to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a varied role that blends retail leadership with hospitality oversight.
Contact Details:
United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Centre Operations Manager. Job in Exeter LilyLifestyle Jobs
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the garden retail industry or related fields. 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 values and how they align with your experience. This will help you showcase how you can lead and develop teams effectively during their transition phase.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on leadership style! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've driven sales performance and improved team capabilities in previous roles. This will demonstrate that you're ready to take ownership and make an impact.
✨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 Garden Centre Operations Manager. Job in Exeter LilyLifestyle Jobs
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Garden Centre Manager role. Highlight your retail management experience, especially any leadership roles or achievements in similar environments.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you're the perfect fit for this position. Share specific examples of how you've led teams through change and improved performance in previous roles.
Showcase Your Leadership Style:In your application, emphasise your hands-on leadership approach. We want to see how you engage with your team on the shop floor and drive a strong retail culture.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This helps us keep track of your application and ensures it gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Cerebral Palsy of Georgia
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to garden centres. Brush up on sales figures, turnover goals, and how you’ve driven performance in previous roles. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you understand the commercial side of the business.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare examples of how you've led teams through change. Think about specific situations where you identified capability gaps and how you addressed them. This will demonstrate your hands-on leadership approach and ability to develop a cohesive team during transitions.
✨Emphasise Customer Experience
Be ready to talk about how you’ve improved customer experience in past roles. Whether it’s through merchandising or stock control, share concrete examples of how you’ve enhanced the shopping experience. This is crucial for a role focused on embedding best-in-class retail practices.
✨Understand the Business Transition
Research the company’s transition from independent ownership to a structured group operation. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to this change and implement necessary structures and processes. Showing that you’re aware of their current phase will set you apart as a candidate who’s genuinely interested.
