Group Office: Buying - Category Merchandiser
Job Description
Posted Thursday 26 March 2026 at 01:00
Squires Garden Centres – Category Merchandiser
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours
Package: £Competitive: Comprehensive benefits: Medical and Dental Insurance: Car Allowance: Contributory Pension Scheme
Overview
Squires is a £75M + turnover successful family‑owned business with 17 Garden Centres and 2 Plant Nurseries. The customer proposition is extensive and offers a broad range of categories including a strong Gardening and Restaurant business, Food, Giftware, Toys, Christmas, Clothing, Outdoor living plus Pets & Aquatics.
As a family business with integrity, we put people and our customers at the heart of what we do and how we do it, living our business values with passion every day. We have ambitious plans to continue our growth, evolve for the future, develop and improve for our customers.
Specifics
* Garden Centres and nurseries based in Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire
* Group Office located in Farnham, Surrey
* Over 1000 Employees with 100s of seasonals during Spring/Summer and Christmas
* High levels of Employee engagement
Why are we recruiting?
* We want to improve our product offer across our centres, to drive customer satisfaction and meet the ever‑changing needs of our customers, driving sales and profit
Who are you, someone who, working with the Garden Centre Managers and Buyers to:
* Drive sales, profitability, and customer valued product propositions
* Define ranging and space strategy by format and centre to optimise cash profit per square metre and deliver the customer proposition
* Supports Buyers and Garden Centre teams in range selection and performance
* Work well cross functionally and engages teams and individuals in direction
* Is a team player with integrity and who strives to improve our business for our customers and colleagues
* Strategy Development: Category ranging and space strategy plans by format and centre, ensuring we optimise by key seasonal moments, deliver sales and cash margins targets and the Squire’s product proposition
* Performance Analysis: Analyse sales data, market trends, and competitor activity to adjust range space and stock flow, ensuring high-profit margins
* Inventory and Assortment: Forecast demand and optimise stock levels to ensure key products and ranges are available at the right time, price and location. Analyse distribution of stock in centres and suggested moves to optimise stock position
* Marketing and Promotion: Collaborate with marketing team to plan and execute in‑store displays, promotional campaigns, CRM Manager and seasonal events
* Team Leadership: Lead and mentor Centre teams to deliver required standards with the Operations Team
* Inventory and Stock: Stock Turnover Rate, Stock Availability (or in‑stock rate) and Days of Supply
* Sales Efficiency: Sales per Square metres and Average Transaction Value
* Market Position: Market Share (overall and by sub‑category)
KPIs
* ATV
* Cash profit per area
* Category market position
* Customer range and product feedback
* Sell through and exit of seasonal products
Management competencies and behaviours will include:
Essential Experience/qualifications:
* Experience in a merchandising role
* Strong numerical and analytical skills
* Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
* High attention to detail and strong organizational ability
* Commercial awareness and understanding of retail trends
* Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment
* Experience in EPOS
Desirable Experience/qualifications:
* Experience in a buying team
* Experience of cross functional working
Please apply by emailing your CV and covering letter to jo.ripley@squiresgardencentres.co.uk, no later than 10 April 2026
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 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
* Bonus– We reward our employees with a non‑contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date)
* Pension– We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
* Attendance– After one years service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro‑rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a Thank you.
* Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D)– A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
* Learning & Development– You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
* Birthday– After 6 months service if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
* Cycle2work scheme– After 1 years service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
* Childs first day at school– After 1 years service come in late and go home early on your childs first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
* RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub– After 1 years service Squires employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)– After 2 years service employees are eligible to join an EAP, that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
* Retirement– After 15 years service if you are retiring and have over 15 years service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
* Free Parking– Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.
J-18808-Ljbffr