Garden Center Store Manager

White Flower Farm in Morris, Connecticut is seeking a full-time, salaried, benefits eligible Store Manager.

White Flower Farm’s Store Manager is responsible for the operation of our “brick and mortar” garden center in Morris, CT. This includes responsibility not only for the store’s P&L but for, even more important, providing visitors and customers with an in-person experience befitting White Flower Farm’s longstanding reputation for excellence in horticulture and customer service. The Store Manager does not directly oversee the extensive display gardens surrounding our store but collaborates with our Head Gardener and other company leaders to ensure that the store and gardens are complementary. The Store Manager works closely with our nursery production team in striking the right merchandising balance between plants grown at WFF and finished product purchased from wholesale providers. The Store Manager also staffs the store, managing both year-round and season team members as necessary and carefully planning labor to match the store’s functional requirements. In short, the Store Manager is part retail operator and merchandiser, part brand marketer, and part customer service agent.

Our store is where we get to meet and greet our customers (and would-be customers) in person, and every visit is an opportunity for us to learn about their needs and impress upon them that White Flower Farm is a trustworthy resource for achieving their gardening objectives. Our Store Manager plays a central role in making and sustaining those valuable connections and relationships and, more broadly, with making White Flower Farm a truly exceptional place to visit and buy from.

Essential Responsibilities:

Retail Sales

• Organize and present seasonal sales goals to senior management, including detail on the product categories and inventory requirements of the sales targets.
• Ensure that the Store product line is properly aligned with WFF’s catalog/online offerings.
• Create a positive guest experience. Assist and advise visitors with plant selections and answer questions as needed.
• Assume full responsibility for Store cash management and reconciliation, investigating discrepancies as they arise.
• Report on sales trends and identify/propose changes as necessary to achieve sales goals and objectives.
• Maintain historical sales, weather, event and community relevant data for year-to-year comparisons.

Marketing

• Develop and execute local marketing initiatives.
• Collaborate with WFF’s marketing team in the execution of print and e-mail advertising plans.
• Plan and facilitate special events at the store to drive sales and enhance the customer experience.

Budgeting

• Create and manage the department’s expense budget relative to the annual revenue goal.
• Develop and propose improvements in inventory control and tracking procedures.
• Maintain information files and process paperwork in a timely manner.
• Ensure proper disposition of merchandise at year-end closing.

Purchasing

• Project and acquire plant material to meet Store revenue goals.
• Work with WFF nursery managers to utilize WFF-produced product whenever feasible.
• Provide direction and support for the exterior merchandising of the store.
• Direct the store’s interior creative assortment, presentation, and stock levels. WFF has a “hard goods” merchandising/purchasing team that will be primarily responsible for identifying and purchasing non-plant items for the Store.

Staffing

• Interview and select store staff to support seasonal plan and current job openings.
• Develop the skills of the Store customer service team, making clear the Store’s mission and goals.
• Train and direct the activities of the Store Grower and Lifting team members.
• Create and maintain Store policies with an emphasis on the safety of employees and visitors.

Off Season Responsibilities

• Work in other departments of the company as assigned during the Holiday season.

Required Skills:

• Clear and effective communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to multitask.
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Decision making and problem solving.

Position Requirements

• At least 5 years of Garden Center Management experience.
• Demonstrated horticultural knowledge with experience in perennial plants and home gardening practices.
• PC proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office and Point of Sale applications.
• Retail staff supervisory experience.
• Ability to create and managing budgets.
• Ability to operate and use all equipment necessary to run the store including garden tractors and forklifts.
• Ability to work varied hours/days to oversee store operations. Weekend work is required during peak selling seasons.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs. when unloading trucks and transporting products.
• Ability to be sedentary for long periods.
• Ability to push, pull, reach and bend.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks.

Working Conditions:

• Inside and outside including office, warehouse and greenhouse environments.
• Varying temperatures and weather conditions.

White Flower Farm is an EEO/ADA employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $69,000.00 - $73,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Morning shift

Experience:

• Garden Center Management: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $69,000 - $73,000