What are the responsibilities and job description for the Garden Center Manager position at Wilson Nurseries?
Garden Center Manager
Location: Frankfort Garden Center (90%) Lexington (10%)
Job Type: Full-Time
Benefits: 401(k) matching, health insurance, paid time off, employee discount
Role Summary
The Garden Center Manager cultivates an elevated, customer-centered experience that celebrates plants, design, and community. This role blends creative direction with operational precision, ensuring each guest encounter reflects our shared passion for nature and artistry. Through thoughtful leadership and inspired merchandising, this person nurtures both team growth and the living beauty of our retail garden center and greenhouse spaces, creating a seamless experience that delights, informs, and inspires.
Role Responsibilities
Customer Experience
- Cultivates genuine, lasting connections by engaging guests in meaningful conversations that inspire confidence and creativity in their plant selections.
- Facilitates an environment where every interaction feels personal, educational, and reflective of our brand’s dedication to beauty and care.
- Champions a service philosophy that emphasizes listening, storytelling, and shared discovery to create a truly immersive shopping experience.
- Empowers the team to elevate everyday transactions into memorable, customer-centric moments rooted in authenticity and expertise.
Leadership & Team Management
- Fosters a culture of inclusion and open dialogue, empowering each retail and garden center team member to contribute ideas and perspectives that strengthen our collective success.
- Mentors and develops associates through personalized coaching and hands-on training that deepens confidence, product knowledge and engagement.
- Guides daily operations with clarity and intention, ensuring the team feels supported, inspired, and aligned around shared goals.
- Champions a people-first philosophy that celebrates growth, accountability, and joy in the work we do together.
- Facilitates collaborative problem-solving and decision-making that upholds both the brand vision and a healthy team dynamic.
Creative & Visual Merchandising
- Curates inspiring visual presentations across the garden center and greenhouse that reflect seasonal rhythms and the artistry of plant design, encouraging exploration and connection.
- Collaborates with leadership to plan, merchandise, and maintain displays that blend beauty with business insight.
- Upholds visual and operational excellence by ensuring inventory, signage, and product placement reflect brand standards and storytelling.
- Analyzes trends and guest feedback to make informed, creative decisions that foster engagement and drive sustained growth.
- Supports seamless daily operations by modeling efficiency, precision, and adaptability across all areas of the retail garden center.
Technical & Operational Management
- Masters the rhythm of daily operations by ensuring point-of-sale systems run smoothly, empowering cashiers and guests alike with seamless, efficient transactions.
- Oversees receiving and inventory organization with care and precision, maintaining accurate records that reflect both beauty and order behind the scenes.
- Collaborates with vendors and internal teams to ensure each shipment arrives on time, integrated thoughtfully into displays that inspire and inform.
- Fosters a culture of pride in workspace maintenance, ensuring back-of-house areas remain as intentional, organized, and inspiring as the guest-facing floor.
- Upholds operational excellence not as routine, but as an extension of hospitality—where consistency, accuracy, and grace meet in every detail.
Role Qualifications
- Proven retail management experience with a record of fostering engaged, high-performing teams.
- Experience in garden center or greenhouse management, with understanding of front-end management practices and customer flow.
- Deep appreciation for visual presentation and seasonal storytelling through plants and design.
- Knowledge of horticulture or plant care preferred; enthusiasm for continued learning essential.
- Proficiency with point-of-sale systems, inventory management, and organizational tools.
- Exceptional communication skills, professional presence, and collaborative spirit.
- Availability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and peak seasons.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- Retail: 2 years (Preferred)
- Management: 1 year (Preferred)
Work Location: In person