Plant Area Manager

Plant Area Manager

Location: Christchurch, Dorset
Salary: Flexible for the right candidate
Hours: 40 per week, alternate weekends

An established, family-run garden centre is looking for a Plant Area Manager to lead its Outdoor Plants department at its Christchurch site.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with outstanding plant knowledge who enjoys combining horticultural expertise with retail management. You'll take full ownership of a high-performing department, leading the team, maintaining exceptional plant standards and creating inspiring displays that encourage customers to return time and time again.

The business is looking for someone passionate about plants first and foremost, but who also understands what makes a successful retail department. You'll have the autonomy to make an impact while working within a supportive management team in a business with a long-standing horticultural reputation.

The Role

You'll be responsible for:

Leading the Outdoor Plants department, ensuring high standards of plant quality, presentation and customer experience.
Managing, motivating and developing the plant team, creating a knowledgeable and customer-focused department.
Delivering expert advice across a wide range of outdoor plants, helping customers choose the right products and providing practical aftercare guidance.
Creating attractive seasonal displays and merchandising the department to maximise sales.
Working closely with buyers to ensure the right stock is available throughout the season while managing stock levels, wastage and rotation.
Overseeing the daily operation of the department, including stock control, merchandising, seasonal planning and maintaining excellent retail standards.
Acting as Duty Manager and Key Holder on a rota basis.

About You

We're looking for someone who:

Has excellent plant knowledge and a genuine passion for horticulture.
Has management or supervisory experience within a garden centre, nursery or horticultural retail environment.
Is confident leading a team and developing colleagues.
Enjoys sharing plant knowledge and providing outstanding customer service.
Has strong commercial awareness and understands the importance of presentation, merchandising and seasonal planning.
Takes pride in maintaining exceptional retail and horticultural standards.

Working Hours

Permanent, full-time position.
40 hours per week.
Alternate weekend working required.

Why Apply?

Lead one of the garden centre's key departments.
Join a respected, family-owned business with a long horticultural heritage.
Work in a role where your plant knowledge and leadership will genuinely make a difference.
Supportive management team with opportunities for future development.
Excellent staff benefits.

If you're passionate about plants and enjoy leading people as much as you enjoy horticulture, we'd love to hear from you. Call our office and ask for Leo on (phone number removed) or email