General Manager

Company Information and Introduction

Longacres Garden Centre is family-run and the business has grown to include six stores in the South East of England. From a few employees in 1979 to over 750 employees in 2024, Longacres is a growing company with opportunities for staff to develop and learn. Our diverse team is friendly, supportive and inclusive. We value our loyal customers, high quality products and ability to offer competitive prices.

We are currently recruiting for a General Manager with passion, drive and enthusiasm to join our popular and busy family-owned independent garden centre. In this role you will be Managing and supporting the team in day-to-day running of Retail Operations of the Bourne Valley store and all that entails from an operational, staff and customer perspective. You will have previously worked in a managerial role in a garden centre or similar large retail environment with proven experience managing and motivating a team, excellent customer service and organisational skills.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Oversee day to day operations, including inventory management, product merchandising, and customer service, to ensure a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience for our customers.

Ensure very high standards of store presentation and merchandising are maintained.

Improve gross margins by reductions in waste and stock losses.

Reduce overheads by keeping control of all costs and expenditure.

To optimise stock availability by ensuring effective systems for replenishment are achieved.

Seasonal and product promotions are planned and delivered. Management of Store department teams throughout the business group.

To recruit, motivate and develop an effective retail team complying with company procedures and ensuring individual performance is regularly reviewed through assessment and appraisal.

To create an effective communication strategy, including team meetings and briefings to ensure accuracy of information across all employees.

All Company Health & Safety procedures are adhered to and compliance with all statutory requirements.

Training of staff in all and any applicable area of the store throughout.

Key Skills and Competencies

Proven experience in a senior management role within the garden centre, horticulture, or retail industry

Strong leadership and people management skills, with a track record of inspiring and motivating teams.

Exceptional customer service skills and the ability to provide expert advice to customers

Candidates must have experience of working and managing large multi-million-pound centres.

Be capable of managing a team of approximately 50 members staff at this branch.

Must have great commercial acumen, be an insightful and an instinctive retailer who does not need to be driven by head office instructions.