Gardening Department Manager- Rake Garden Centre

Gardening Department Manager – Rake Garden Centre

An exciting opportunity has recently arisen at our Rake Garden Centre.

Are you passionate about gardening and leading a team? Do you take pride in delivering exceptional customer service while maintaining high standards across the department? If so, we’d love to hear from you.

Position: Gardening Department Manager

Location: Rake Garden Centre, part of the Blue Diamond Group

Hours: Full-time, including alternate weekends

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Why Join Us?

Rake Garden Centre is part of the Blue Diamond Group, the UK’s largest garden centre group by turnover, having grown from £187 million in 2019 to over £400 million in 2025. With 52 centres across the UK and Channel Islands, we continue to expand and evolve — and we want you to grow with us.

We attract an AB1 customer demographic by offering inspirational retailing with a point of difference: style, emotion, and innovation for the home and garden, alongside exceptional customer service.

Our Managing Director, Alan Roper, has led the Group since 1999, and we are proud of our exceptional staff retention and our commitment to empowering employees to reach their full potential and enjoy a rewarding career.

The Role:

We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Gardening Department Manager to lead our team at Rake Garden Centre. You will ensure the department runs efficiently, meets high standards, and provides an exceptional experience for our customers.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Leading and managing the gardening team, providing guidance, coaching, and motivation

• Maintaining high standards of stock presentation and merchandising throughout the department

• Ensuring stock levels are maintained, including ordering, receiving, and rotating products

• Delivering excellent customer service and assisting with customer enquiries as needed

• Monitoring performance, setting goals, and driving team development

• Ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations and departmental procedures

• Collaborating with other departments to ensure a smooth operation across the centre

About You:

The ideal candidate will have previous experience in a garden centre or retail management role and a passion for gardening. Leadership skills, a proactive approach, and a focus on delivering an outstanding customer experience are essential.

Essential skills and qualities:

• Strong leadership and team management abilities

• Excellent customer service and communication skills

• Good organisational and planning skills

• Knowledge of garden products and plants desirable

• Flexibility to work weekends as part of a rota

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary

• Generous staff discount on garden centre and restaurant items

• Free on-site parking

• Opportunities for training, development, and career progression

• A supportive, people-focused team environment

Please visit bluediamond.gg to find out more about us.