Outdoor Leisure & Christmas Manager- Harlow Garden Centre

Are you passionate about garden leisure or the festive magic of Christmas? Whether it’s helping customers enjoy the outdoors or creating inspiring seasonal displays, we’re looking for an enthusiastic and experienced retail professional who takes pride in maintaining high retail standards and delivering exceptional customer service.

Location: Harlow Garden Centre
Hours: Full-Time, 42.5 hours a week, including alternate weekends
Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

Why Join Us?

At Harlow Garden Centre, we’re more than just a garden centre — we’re a community of gardening and retail enthusiasts dedicated to excellence, innovation, and providing our customers with an unforgettable shopping experience.

Holt is also part of the Blue Diamond Group, the UK's largest Garden Centre Group in terms of turnover, having grown from £187 million in 2019 to over £400 million in 2025.

With 54 centres across the UK and Channel Islands, we are constantly evolving and expanding, and we want YOU to grow with us.

Our target demographic is AB1 customers, and we attract this calibre of customer by offering inspirational retailing with a point of difference: style, emotion, and innovation for the home and garden, whilst providing exceptional customer service.

Our Managing Director, Alan Roper, has headed up the Group since 1999, and we pride ourselves on our exceptional staff retention and empowering our staff to reach their full potential and enjoy rewarding careers.

We pride ourselves on excellent customer service and delivering an exceptional and unique retail experience.

About the Role

As the Outdoor Leisure & Christmas Manager, you will take responsibility for the day-to-day running and commercial success of these exciting seasonal departments. This is a hands-on management role where you will lead by example, inspire your team, and deliver an exceptional customer experience while maintaining the high retail standards expected across the Blue Diamond Group.

You’ll play a key role in creating visually inspiring displays that bring our Outdoor Leisure and Christmas ranges to life, helping customers enjoy their homes and gardens all year round. Working closely with your team, you will drive sales performance, maintain excellent stock availability, and ensure the departments are always presented to the highest standard.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading, motivating, and organising the team to deliver outstanding customer service
• Driving sales and maximising commercial opportunities within the departments
• Ordering, merchandising, and managing stock, including slow-moving lines
• Creating inspiring seasonal displays and ensuring POS materials are maintained to company standards
• Maintaining excellent retail standards, housekeeping, and presentation throughout the shop floor
• Assisting customers with product advice, orders, and carry-to-car service
• Organising daily and weekly team tasks to ensure smooth department operation
• Following action points from reports, floor walks, and Head Office guidelines
• Deputising for opening and closing duties when required
• Supporting the training and development of team members

About You

The ideal candidate will be:

• Immaculately presented, professional, and friendly
• Passionate about Outdoor Leisure and Christmas products
• Experienced in retail management, with a proven track record of leading a team and driving sales
• Customer-focused, polite, and outgoing, always putting the customer first
• Highly organised with an excellent eye for detail
• Motivated and proactive, able to lead a team and manage daily operations effectively
• Confident in merchandising, stock management, and creating inspiring displays
• Flexible and willing to work alternate weekends to support the business

What We Offer

• Competitive salary and staff discount
• Training and development opportunities
• A friendly, supportive environment where your skills are valued