Do you love plants and people?
Are you the kind of person who can talk confidently about what to plant, when to plant it - and then roll your sleeves up and help move it, pot it, water it and sell it?
I'm recruiting a Retail Nursery Manager for a well-established, family-run plant nursery at a genuine turning point in its journey. This role is crucial to the future of the retail side of the business and offers real scope to grow, shape processes, and build a team around you.
This is not a wholesale operation. Customers are members of the public and garden designers who walk in looking for advice, inspiration, and great plants - and they expect expert guidance.
Why This Role Is Different
The business is at a crossroads. The right person won't just "manage the day-to-day" - they'll help to develop the retail operation, build a small team, and gradually take on more responsibility as the nursery evolves.
You'll report directly into the Nursery Owner, working with them to improve processes, streamline how things are done, and gently introduce structure - without ripping everything up and starting again.
What Your Days Will Really Look Like
During peak season, you won't be tied to a desk. Far from it.
You'll be:
Out on the nursery floor greeting customers and helping them choose the right plants for their gardens
Ordering plants with a good understanding of timing, availability and demand
Potting, weeding, watering and clearing areas - this is a physical, hands-on role with plenty of lifting
Keeping the nursery looking sharp, well organised and invitingAs the retail team grows, you'll gradually spend more time:
Planning stock and placing orders
Training and developing your team
Running short team briefings on "key plants of the week
Potentially introducing light sales targets or weekly focus areas
Who I'm Looking For
This role really suits someone who:
Has good horticultural knowledge - both ordering stock and advising customers
Enjoys working with the general public and garden designers
Is practical, energetic and happy with repetitive lifting and outdoor work
Is excited by the idea of growing a role as the business growsYou'll ideally have:
RHS Level 3 (or an equivalent horticultural qualification) - essential
Retail and/or nursery experience
Confidence in ordering plants and managing stock
An interest in developing team members
What's On Offer
Company pension scheme
Employee discount
Overtime available during peak periods
On-site parkingIf you're looking for a role where you can shape the future of a retail nursery, build a team, and spend your days surrounded by plants and people who love them - I'd love to tell you more
Interested? For an informal chat, please call Emily on (phone number removed), email (url removed) or message me on LinkedIn. Don't worry if your CV isn't up to date, just send what you have already, and we can sort the rest later