Garden Centre Manager

Garden Centre Manager
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.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• 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.