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Job Description: Garden Center Manager & Centralized Buyer

Garden Center Manager & Centralized Buyer

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

Reports to: Store Manager / Director of Retail Operations

Classification: Permanent, Full-Time, Salary

Location: Lititz (with centralized buying oversight for Mohnton and Fleetwood)

Job Summary

The Garden Center Manager & Centralized Buyer is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Garden Center departments at our Lititz location while also overseeing centralized purchasing efforts for assigned departments across all three Esbenshade’s retail locations. This role merges in-store department leadership with strategic purchasing, unifying what were previously separate responsibilities. The manager will also provide purchasing guidance and support to department managers at smaller locations to ensure consistent assortments, seasonal planning, and coordinated promotional efforts.

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.

Centralized Buying & Inventory Oversight

  • Lead the development of product assortments for assigned departments across all three stores, maintaining consistency and minimizing unnecessary category duplication.
  • Select and coordinate promotional sale items to be implemented company wide.
  • Support and guide Mohnton and Fleetwood department managers in seasonal purchasing decisions.
  • Consolidate and optimize purchasing strategies to capitalize on early-order discounts and drive efficient inventory turnover.
  • Analyze sales and vendor performance data to inform purchasing and restocking decisions.
  • Attend trade shows and vendor meetings to identify new products and maintain supplier relationships.
  • Coordinate with E-commerce, receiving, and accounting to ensure smooth order execution and resolution of discrepancies.

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.

Leadership & Cross-Location Collaboration

  • Serve as the central leader for the assigned department's purchasing activities across all locations.
  • Establish and communicate seasonal buying calendars and promotional strategies.
  • Promote cross-store alignment on category strategy, visual presentation, and inventory flow.
  • Collaborate closely with store and department managers to ensure execution and feedback loops.

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).
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Business, Horticulture, or a related field preferred.
  • Minimum 3–5 years of retail management and purchasing experience required.

Work Schedule

  • Average 45 hours/week, Monday through Saturday, with one weekday off.
  • 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.