Job Description

St Peters is proud to be a family run Garden Centre which specialises not only in beautiful plants but is a destination for all the family. We are a local employer of choice who has strong sustainability and environmental focus.

We boast a top quality restaurant, a first class farm shop and butchery and a beautiful outdoor living, home and gift department. In addition we have Poppy's Farm, an outdoor farm area and cafe where you can enjoy a cuppa amongst our pigs, goats and chickens, lake & nature trail. Our Yurt hosts a whole manner of wellbeing and recreational activities and workshops for children, adults and gardeners alike. The Yurt also hosts private functions. There is something for everyone.

We are seeking an Operations Manager to be at the forefront of our much loved Garden Centre. This is a new role to us and one we believe to be absolutely fundamental to our ongoing success. The 'right person' for us is absolutely critical we are looking for a natural leader with excellent communication skills and a proven successful track record in retail operations and excellent people management.

Working as part of our established leadership team you will be making a significant contribution to St Peters one of the UK's best Garden Centres.

We are family owned with many long serving employees and it is important to us to keep that exclusivity. The successful candidate should value retaining the appreciation of this for both employees and customers alike.

A further education qualification in Business management, Retail or Horticulture, or related field is desirable although not essential but the successful candidate must:

Possess a minimum 5 years' experience in an Retail Operational Role Be able to demonstrate strong leadership and team management skills with a minimum 5 years' experience in a hands on management role with multiple direct reports. A 'people person' is very important to us. Proven financial awareness and ability to manage budgets Good understanding of stock control, merchandising and seasonal planning
Experience in Garden Centre retail would be a distinct advantage but is not essential

A full job description and person specification is available by request emailing hr@stpetersgc.co.uk. For an informal chat about the role please call 01905 357595 and ask for either William Blake (Managing Director) or Sally Nions (Head of People and Culture).

Key Responsibilities

To lead the day-to-day running of St Peters Garden Centre, ensuring all areas of the business operate efficiently and profitably. The Operations Manager will direct and control operations to maximise sales, manage costs and deliver consistently high standards of customer service. This role requires strong leadership, commercial awareness and the ability to drive performance through effective team management and clear operational direction.

Retail management expertise with proven experience of leading multiple direct reports and their teams. Commercial awareness and understanding of budgets, profitability from driving retail sales and improved ways of working. Ability to identify training needs. You'll be effectively coaching and training all levels ensuring teams are delivering a first-class customer experience. Excellent communication skills. You'll ensure that successful initiatives and actions are shared across the business and that performance is monitored. Adaptability. You'll act quickly and enthusiastically to changing priority, workload and concepts. Positivity managing change. You'll lead the team through each season with care and motivation to deliver the best. Can demonstrate our values at all times. Work collaboratively with the other Leadership Team members to deliver results.

Customer Experience

Maintain the highest standards of customer care and service delivery throughout the Centre at all times. Build and maintain customer relationships, encouraging repeat visits and long-term loyalty. Champion a customer-first culture, ensuring all decisions reflect a focus on service excellence. Actively review customer feedback and satisfaction, implementing improvements where necessary. Lead by example on the shop floor, ensuring customers receive professional and friendly assistance at every interaction.

Leadership & People Management

Motivate, inspire and develop department managers and team members, creating a culture of collaboration, accountability and pride in performance. Provide strong direction and decision-making across all departments. Effectively plan and organise the work of the management team, demonstrating the ability to delegate, prioritise and adapt under pressure. Oversee rotas, ensuring appropriate staffing levels across the business to meet customer and seasonal demand. Maintain a strong presence on the shop floor, ensuring standards are upheld and operational issues are addressed promptly. Ensure clear communication between Leadership Team, department managers and all employees, promoting transparency and engagement. Conduct regular team meetings, performance reviews and training sessions. Lead by example, ensuring staff are performing in line with company policy and prioritise best practise HR. Support a culture of equal opportunities, diversity and inclusion. Identify training and development needs across teams and ensure progression opportunities are maximised and staff are given the opportunity to work independently championing a continuous learning environment. Observing your team's service levels, identifying ways they can improve and finding the best way to suit that individual in coaching them to improve. Deputise and be the main decision maker in the absence of the Managing Director on all operational issues.

Commercial & Financial Management

Take responsibility in collaboration with the Head of Retail for achieving sales, profit and cost targets across all areas of the Garden Centre. Analyse sales reports, monitor margins and stock levels and implement strategies to drive growth. Work collaboratively with management, department heads and the Head of Retail to deliver effective ranging, promotions and merchandising. Working closely with our support teams, maintaining excellent communication, stock supply and response.

Operational Excellence

Ensure all operational processes run smoothly and efficiently across departments. Taking the lead from the Head or Retail oversee merchandising standards, product presentation and seasonal displays to ensure alignment with company standards. Ensuring all compliance with health safety regulations, fire, and food hygiene whilst caring for employee and customer welfare at all times. Develop and maintain high operational standards through effective scheduling, stock control and maintenance of facilities. Support the Senior Leadership Team with strategic planning, budgeting and reporting.

Benefits

Company Pension Scheme (Optional Salary Sacrifice scheme available).

28 days annual leave (+1 day after 5 years' service).

Perennial - Employee Assistance Programme

GROW - Online continuous learning & development platform

Management Development programme

Employee Discount

Discounted Staff Menu

Uniform

On site parking

Further information

This role is offered in a permanent full time basis on a 43 hour week average contract. We work a 6/4 week rota over a 2 week period. Weekend work will be required every other weekend with a day off in the week.

Interviews/assessment will take place early to mid December.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 40,000.00-50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking
Work Location: In person