OVERVIEW:

The Store Manager (SM) has responsibility for all garden center operations, serving as the ambassador for the Gardener’s Supply brand with both retail and wholesale commerce in the local community. The SM will ensure an inspiring and unique experience for our customers with exceptional service, merchandising and ambiance. The store manager has full responsibility for all aspects of stores sales, profitability, and productivity.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Overall management of the store’s operations and personnel.
• Responsible for meeting store sales, profit gross margin, payroll management, customer acquisition and labor productivity goals.
• Direct supervision of department managers, and Administrative Assistant; providing full support by removing obstacles to individual success through effective problem solving, training, and mentoring.
• Assist Retail Area Manager (RAM) in developing and implementing strategies to achieve sales and profit goals including achieving payroll and expense budgets.
• Responsible for developing and executing of merchandising and presentation plans and display standards including detailed seasonal plans by department, creating an inviting, inspiring, informative, and relaxing customer experience across the entire facility.
• Responsible for all store specific talent acquisition and development including seasonal hiring partnering with peers, RAM, Marketing and HR to develop and execute advertising and other external recruiting strategies.
• Personnel management responsibilities, including training, performance reviews, coaching, counseling, and employee compensation management for all employees.
• Monitor store staffing levels and ensure timely recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of team members in accordance with the company’s hiring process and budgetary goals.
• Overall responsibility for creating weekly schedules to meet budgetary compliance, forecasted sales volume, and proper sales and operations coverage; reacts to variances and works with the store supervisor/lead team making necessary schedule adjustments to achieve planned results.
• Daily evaluation of sales, customer service, and operations levels in all departments, develops and implements plans to address ongoing problems in procedure, process, and performance.
• Responsible for ensuring operational excellent throughout the garden center including compliance with all corporate policies and procedures
• Prepares and submits annual budgets for net sales, expenses, and income to RAM
• Sets the highest bar for customer service, monitors service and acts promptly to assure all customer issues are addressed and resolved daily.
• Partners with the Marketing Supervisor, RAM, and peers to develop strategies and tactics to increase quality and size of Gardener’s club member file (and applicable future programs when developed i.e., Facebook, Twitter etc.).
• Ensures effective execution of all marketing and value offer initiatives.
• Partners with RAM, buying team and sister store management to effectively allocate and share resources across stores as needed to achieve operational goals and maximize productivity.
• Maintain retail readiness and cleanliness throughout the store; checks daily to maintain a neat and clean appearance, and the best possible store presentation.
• Supervises on-going training program at the store level; assists Leads and department managers in training of all employees.
• Build an interdependent team within the garden center, across stores focused on internal and external service and perpetuating an enjoyable and rewarding workplace.
• Acts as primary contact and liaison for any sub leased tenants effectively managing tenant’s relationship with AGR.
• Responsible to oversee training, and enforcement of all safety standards as well as loss prevention standards to prevent accidents, injury, and loss.
• Responsibility for ensuring effective partnership and communication flow between buying department and store operations to ensure adequate inventory to meet customer demand and merchandise presentation standards.
• This position will partner with the Retail Division Merchandise Manager (RDMM)and onsite Green Goods staff for restock orders of green goods categories including annuals, perennials, nursery, houseplants, and seasonal decor green goods.
• This position will act as the primary liaison with the Buying team for restock orders of hard goods categories and may include primary order placing responsibility of one or more categories as defined by RAM and RDMM.
• Partner with the Buyer to define and expand product offer based on customer buying patterns, demographics and other qualitative information acquired from day-to-day operations.
• Responsible for ensuring an upbeat, team based, highly participatory, service-oriented environment for all staff.
• Ensure effective communication for all staff, within the store and the larger AGR community.
• Create an environment of effective open-door management to address and promptly resolve employee issues.
• Must be present and punctual for all assigned shifts, work a flexible schedule when needed, including evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• Must be available to work weekends, seasonal overtime is required.
• Perform Manager on Duty (MOD) duties including opening and closing responsibilities.
• May be required to travel to trade shows and seminars to stay current with industry trends, ideas, and products.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Proven record of leadership/management success in a team environment; 5-year minimum required
• Demonstrated record of success leading a multi-departmental or multi-unit retail organizations of similar scale and or volume
• 4 years direct customer service experience required
• Garden Center or Nursery experience strongly preferred
• Proven record of creating, managing budgets and achieving financial goals
• Excellent team building skills required
• Strong project management skills required
• Excellent communication skills: verbal and written communication skills required
• Advanced horticultural knowledge preferred, with broad scope of plant knowledge
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent team building skills
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Strong visual merchandising and planning skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Ability to analyze numerical data and form action plans based on conclusions when little or no formal standard has been established
• Ability to stay organized, focused and calm in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to read and interpret common scientific and technical information
• Knowledge of horticultural terminology, plant disease & insects required
• Passion for gardening
• Ability to use Internet search engine, email, Microsoft Word required
• Must be available to work weekends
• Ability to lift 40lb occasionally
• This position is required to work outside in adverse weather conditions including heat, cold, wet weather
• This position requires time working with, in, on and around heavy equipment
• This position requires significant time standing and walking on hard surfaces such as concrete floors and asphalt