Garden Centre Operations Manager. LilyLifestyle

Garden Centre Manager

Location: Exeter, Devon

Salary: 40,000 - 45,000

This is an exciting opportunity to take on a Garden Centre Manager role at a well-established garden retail site in Exeter, with an initial turnover of circa 2 million and a team of around 20 colleagues.

The business is entering a new phase, transitioning from independent ownership into a more structured group operation. This is a genuine opportunity to step in, take ownership, and shape standards, performance, and team capability from the ground up.

As Garden Centre Manager, you'll be responsible for the full operational and commercial performance of the site, setting the tone and standards for the entire team.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Full accountability for sales, KPIs, and overall site performance, with a focus on growing turnover from its 2m base
• Leading, developing, and structuring a team of 20, identifying and addressing capability gaps as the business evolves
• Taking a hands‑on leadership approach on the shop floor, driving a strong retail culture and high standards
• Embedding best‑in‑class retail practices, improving merchandising, stock control, and customer experience
• Overseeing all day‑to‑day operations, including rotas, recruitment, and performance management
• Supporting and overseeing the restaurant manager to ensure alignment across the wider site
• Implementing structure and processes where needed, as the centre transitions from an independent model
• Ensuring full compliance with health & safety and operational procedures
• Playing a key role in building a cohesive, engaged team during a period of change

• A strong retail manager with experience running a store or site of similar scale
• Proven ability to lead and develop teams, particularly through periods of change or transformation
• Commercially driven, with confidence managing KPIs and driving sales performance
• A hands‑on, visible leader who leads from the front
• Experience with in garden centres is highly desirable, but strong retail backgrounds (DIY, home improvement, discount retail, etc.) will be considered
• Someone comfortable stepping into a business where structure is still being developed
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to manage change sensitively and effectively

• Significant autonomy to shape the culture, standards, and commercial direction
• A centre at a key transition point, part of and supported by a much larger group
• Competitive salary package up to 45,000
• A varied role combining retail leadership with light‑touch hospitality oversight

This is an ideal role for an experienced retail manager looking to step into garden centre management, or an existing GCM seeking a site where they can truly make their mark.

Apply now

To apply, send your CV or get in touch for a confidential discussion.