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Job Description: Garden Center Department Manager

Garden Center Department Manager

Departments: Garden Center, Patio, Gift, Birding, Pottery, and Christmas 

Reports to: Store Manager 

Classification: Permanent, Full-Time 

Location: Lititz 

Job Summary 

The Garden Center Department Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Garden Center departments (gardening supplies, pottery, seeds & bulbs, patio furniture, birding and Christmas) within our Lititz retail location.  This role requires a strong understanding of horticulture and gardening, with a hands-on, team-oriented management style. 

Key Responsibilities 

Department Management 

  • Manage all operations within the Lititz Garden Center department, including staffing, merchandising, cleanliness, and sales performance. 
  • Hire, train, schedule, and conduct performance reviews for Lititz department staff. 
  • Monitor labor and expenses to align with budget and profitability goals. 
  • Ensure effective seasonal transitions, product rotation, and accurate inventory counts. 

        Buying & Inventory Oversight 

        • Work with the Lead Buyer to forecast and maintain inventory needs throughout the year.   
        • Monitor stock levels and place restocking orders as needed to meet inventory goals and maximize profitability within the department. 
        • Attend trade shows and vendor meetings to identify new products and maintain supplier relationships. 
        • Coordinate with the Lead Buyer, E-commerce, receiving, and accounting to ensure smooth order execution and resolution of discrepancies. 
        • Conduct semi-annual inventory counts of all products within the garden center departments to ensure accuracy. 

                Customer Experience 

                • Deliver expert customer service in gardening, birding, and home décor categories. 
                • Train team members in customer engagement, product tie-ins, and service excellence. 

                  Skills and Qualifications 

                  • Strong knowledge of garden center and seasonal retail product categories. 
                  • Proven leadership and communication skills with experience guiding cross-functional teams. 
                  • Analytical mindset for sales and inventory data, with solid decision-making skills. 
                  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office and retail management systems (Epicor or similar). 
                  • Minimum 3–5 years of retail garden center and/or management experience 

                          Work Schedule 

                          • Full time hours (40), Monday through Saturday, with one weekday off. 
                          • Saturdays are required during our peak spring and holiday seasons. 
                          • Overtime may be necessary during certain weeks of our peak spring and holiday seasons. 
                          • Availability for 2–3 evening shifts per week during peak season. 
                          • Shared responsibility for store opening/closing with other managers. 
                          • Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and work in varying weather conditions.