Garden Centre Management - Assistant Manager

Squire's Garden Centres; Wokingham; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A family-owned garden centre group is seeking an Assistant Manager in Wokingham. This role includes management support for the team, ensuring excellent customer service, and working closely with the Garden Centre Manager. Candidates must have proven experience in a garden centre environment, a passion for retail, and the ability to lead and inspire teams. The position offers various rewards and benefits including employee discounts and a pension plan.

Benefits

Employee Discount

Holiday (including bank holidays)

Bonus

Pension

Attendance rewards

Learning & Development opportunities

Birthday leave

Cycle2work scheme

Flex time for child's school

RHS Membership or Tree/Shrub

Employee Assistance Programme

Reduced hours after 15 years

Free Parking

Qualifications

• Proven experience of working in a garden centre environment at this level is essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide management support to the Garden Centre team.
• Ensure employees are aware of the business goals.
• Safeguard company property against theft, loss, or abuse.
• Assist the Garden Centre Manager and deputise fully in their absence.

Skills

Passion for retail

Ability to lead and inspire team

Can-do attitude

Experience in garden centre environment

Job description

Garden Centre Management - Assistant Manager

Location: Heathlands Road, Wokingham, RG40 3AS

Job Reference:#12097

Your primary responsibility will be to provide management support to the Garden Centre team, with customer service at the forefront of everything you achieve. Working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the centre succeed.

Rota: Full time, 40 hours including alternate weekends

Main duties and responsibilities

• Understand the business plan and actively participate in delivering its goals
• Ensure all employees are aware of the business goals
• Take an active interest in developing the plan and improving the business
• Excellent standards of merchandising and housekeeping are established and maintained in accordance with company guidelines
• Co‑operate fully with line and product managers
• Purchase to company guidelines
• Safeguard company property against theft, loss or abuse, and investigate all security issues
• Assist the Garden Centre Manager and deputise fully in their absence, including key holder responsibilities
• Train and motivate retail teams to maximise sales opportunities

To be successful in this role, we are looking for people

• Passion for retail
• Ability to lead and inspire team
• Can‑do attitude and able to make things happen
• Proven experience of working in a garden centre environment at this level is essential

Squire’s is a family‑owned group of 17 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering and retail. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Rewards & Benefits

• Employee Discount – 50% in restaurants and 20% in garden centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
• Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining, increasing to 6.2 weeks after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
• Bonus – Non‑contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year depends on start date).
• Pension – Defined Contribution Pension Plan for new employees. Company contribution matches if you meet government criteria.
• Attendance – After one year’s service, 100% attendance for a full financial year earns an additional day’s holiday (pro‑rata).
• Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – Monthly reward scheme for outstanding customer service or initiatives that inspire the business; winners select a gift.
• Learning & Development – Wealth of learning opportunities to enhance and develop skills.
• Birthday – After 6 months’ service, leave work early on your birthday if it falls on a contracted day (holiday policy applies). After 2 years’ service, receive a £25 Squires gift voucher.
• Cycle2work scheme – 25‑39% saving on new cycling equipment after 1 year’s service, cost deducted from pay over 12‑19 months.
• Child’s first day at school – After 1 year’s service, flex time to pick up child on the first day of school.
• RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub – After 1 year’s service, choose one tree or shrub to plant each year or £50 towards RHS membership.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – After 2 years’ service, access to wellbeing resources.
• Retirement – After 15 years’ service, reduced contracted hours by a fifth but unchanged pay for final 3 months.
• Free Parking – Available for all employees in designated parking areas.