WEETONS Horticultural Buyer & Plant Department Manager
New Today
*About Us*
At Weetons we strive to create a unique experience. A destination like no other - stretching the boundaries in what is created, sourced, and served.
At the heart of our ethos is a commitment to creating a space that brings people together, offering the perfect blend of a vibrant Food Hall, an inspiring Home + Garden collection, and warm, inviting Restaurants.
Food is more than just sustenance, it’s the thread that connects us, a shared experience to be savoured and celebrated. Whether you are dining in one of our restaurants, planning a memorable home dinner party or simply cooking for family and friends you will find Weetons has the finest quality produce on offer.
Our Home + Garden areas are a source of inspiration and aspiration. We believe the secret to living positively and enjoying life is rooted in beautiful home living. Our home departments cater for every room and special place within, and our nursery is the place to discover everything you need for the garden, alongside an extensive range of outdoor living and leisure products.
We are a passionate and community focused group, working tirelessly to establish long term relationships with our farmers, growers, and suppliers. Wherever possible we source and support high-quality local producers and makers - the finest provenance, quality, and value.
Our friendly and experienced team are always on hand to ensure you get the finest possible produce, the best advice and ‘Exceptional Everyday’ service.
*Horticulture Buyer & Manager: Home & Garden *
*The Role *
We are seeking an exceptional, fully qualified & experienced horticulture plant buyer & manager , with proven retail success, to join our successful and expanding Home & Garden department at our retail destination here at Weetons Leeds Road. *The role is full ownership of the plant and tree offer whereby horticulture qualifications and buying experience is a must.*
*Plant Manager duties and responsibilities:*
* Full accountability for the buying strategy, ordering, procurement and inventory of all plants and trees. * Working with the merchandising team to forecast demand, whilst being responsible for negotiating and agreeing commercial lead times with suppliers to ensure optimal stock levels while minimising waste. * Maintaining plant and tree area(s) visual merchandising and display standards: ensure attractive plant displays, signage, rotating seasonal layouts, clean and orderly environment that supports purchasing decisions. * Ensuring plant health and lifecycle management: monitor for diseases/pests, identify nutritional deficiencies, conduct regular inspections, and take corrective actions. * Planning, scheduling and actioning and /or supervising horticultural tasks: watering, fertilizing, pruning, pest and disease control, soil health, propagation, acclimatization and staging. * Leading, coaching, and developing the plant department / H&G team to deliver high levels of product knowledge, customer service, and operational excellence. * Setting and driving commercial targets: sales, margins, turnover, shrink, and other KPIs; identify opportunities to upsell, cross-sell and promote seasonal/featured plant lines. * Implementing and enforcing health & safety, environmental, and handling standards: safe use of chemicals, correct storage, hazard identification, compliance with relevant legislation. * *Delivering exceptional customer service*: ensure team gives knowledgeable, friendly, enthusiastic assistance; resolve customer queries / complaints; promote best practices in presentation, advice, and after-care. * Assist / take charge in special events, promotions and seasonal transitions (e.g. Spring planting, Christmas displays, sales events). * Supporting the H&G manager regarding staffing: recruitment, training, performance reviews; to build a team with strong horticultural competency; set rotas; ensure coverage during peak periods. * Monitor and manage department sales vs. budget (in season trading) labour, waste, overheads; track costs, analyse profitability; propose improvements. * Report performance metrics to senior management: sales figures, plant health metrics, inventory status, customer feedback; recommend changes and improvements.
*Skills and Experience: *
* *PLEASE NOTE THAT ANY CANDIDATE MUST HAVE SIGNIFICANT RETAIL & HORTICULTURE SKILL & EXPERIENCE AT MANAGEMENT LEVEL* * Proven success in plant buying and p&L management * Outstanding customer service approach * Exemplary oral & written communication skills, able to converse with all levels of the business including the board team * Superb organisational and operational leadership skills * Collaborative management style * Able to remain calm under pressure, possessing excellent conflict & performance management skills * Excellent attention to detail, whilst always seeing the bigger picture * A positive can-do & solution orientated attitude, with the ability to embrace change * Adept at developing and inspiring teams through coaching and mentoring
*Qualifications / Experience:*
* *Horticulture qualified (RHS, Degree or equivalent)* * Qualified and knowledgeable in plant chemical usage and health and safety legislation * Educated to degree level - preferable but not essential * A minimum of 5 years’ experience in a management / leadership retail role - must be customer facing. * Proven commercial success gained within a multi-operational retail/garden centre environment with a turnover of >£10m per annum * A minimum of 5 years buying experience in plants and trees
*Package:*
* Competitive salary * Pension * 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays) * Free on-site parking * Generous team member discount
If you have the necessary plant and management skills, experience, retail flair and passion and would relish a fantastic opportunity in a fast paced and ever changing entrepreneurial retail environment, we would be delighted to hear from you!
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £30,000.00 per year
Benefits: * Company pension * Employee discount * Free parking * On-site parking * Store discount
Ability to commute/relocate: * Harrogate HG3 1EW: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience: * Horticulture buying: 5 years (required) * Retail management: 5 years (required)
Work Location: In person
- Location:
- Gb
- Job Type:
- PartTime
- Category:
- Agriculture
