General Manager

Our client is an expanding Garden Centre business with sites around the UK. They are now seeking top flight commercial managers to develop their sites further

You will come from a multi product background, ideally within a seasonal retail environment.

Ideally be a strong commuincator and people manager.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

The managers are responsible for maintaining accurate stock files, thus reflecting accurate profit margins.

This approach ensures that all stock variances will be resolved and those unknown will be clearly determined to be shrinkage(theft).

The Manager is accountable for reducing shrinkage across all areas of the business to the agreed company guidelines.

The company will carry out quarterly audits using the Stock Management Audit process to ensure all stock control systems and processes are fully compliant and in-line with business requirements. Audits should be submitted to the profit protection team once completed. This stock management audit process is your operational audit bible.

All stock related issues should be discussed with your Manager.

To maintain an accurate stock file, it is essential to ensure all shop floor staff, goods in and till staff have an excellent overall understanding of stock control and the current epos system to be able to record and amend data.

Ensure all company procedures are adhered to as stipulated by the stock management audit/bible.Ensure all staff are given full initial training in all areas of using the epos system that is applicable to them to enable them to carry out their job and maintain accurate stock levels. Ensure new staff are fully trained using a structured training programme and feel comfortable in requesting further training should it be required. Actively take part in daily stock management processes including ordering and receipting stock, stock taking, wastage and credit requests, till operations and cash management, ensuring a full understanding of all processes. Ensure scheduled weekly one to one walk rounds take place, between yourself and each Manager (Department Manager) Ensure stock takes are completed as scheduled, all reasons for shrinkage are understood and controls are being adhered to. Ensure all stock stored in external storage areas is well organised clean and tidy. Stock stored externally should be securely pallet wrapped to prevent stock loss and checked routinely. Storage containers should be opened on a regular basis to ensure they remain free from condensation. Customer Service and Communication

Ensure there are high standards of customer service across the Centre, leading by example and focusing all employees on delivering the very best in customer service practices. Create a customer centric culture which removes any barriers that promote a negative customer experience. Identify individuals who are not promoting the customer centric approach and take appropriate action. Implement any customer service, sales and service training to ensure consistency of service across the Garden Centre To monitor and review customer service levels through online customer feedback, compliment slips, and customer reviews on social media platforms and take immediate action on dealing with any identified areas for improvement. Ensure that all media platform reviews are responded to in a professional and timely manner. Customer Loyalty targets and a daily focus should be set each week and reviewed in the huddles to keep the teams focused on providing the best service to the customers. The Manager will be copied into all relevant email correspondence directed. Provide relevant content and information on the group s digital channels such as local Facebook and Garden Centre web pages, to promote the Garden Centre activities and promotions to encourage a wider audience to visit the centre. Centre Management and Appearance To take responsibility for their department and to drive their BPI and stock management performance with every decision they make. It is essential that you continue to offer your full guidance and support and that you engage and communicate with your Manager on a daily basis to ensure each department is running smoothly and has the correct balance of manpower. There will also be an element of coaching which includes monitoring performance and adherence to company standards. The Manager will hold weekly Manager meetings to ensure all aspects of the business are discussed at high level. It is also important that the customer journey, communal areas and tills are kept to the agreed standard and managed accordingly. Impress the look and feel of the centre by creative visual merchandising. To actively support the Manager in the resolution of staffing shortages on a daily basis. To floor walk the centre regularly during each day to ensure that its overall appearance and presentation is always ready for trade with particular emphasis on cleanliness, availability of trollies and baskets, adequate staff numbers on the shop floor to facilitate strong customer service levels and to constantly review those customer service levels. To ensure that all marketing tools such as POS (and associated offers) and banners are always in the right place at the right time across the centre and to take action where needed. To ensure that all staff are of a smart appearance and wearing the appropriate staff uniform where required along with their name badge. To ensure the housekeeping of the garden centres grounds, car parking, pathways, borders and other facilities including toilets are kept to the same high standard of presentation. Overheads

To be responsible for the overall control of the centre and ensure that all costs of the business are managed in line with the budget. This will include reviewing the monthly management accounts, understanding the detail of each cost category and creating an action plan where costs are not in line with budget. To be responsible for managing the Centre s overheads within the framework of the budget including staffing, maintenance, training, and any other related cost control, benchmarking performance against similar centres and taking advice and support from within the Group as and when required. To have an overview and understanding of the Centre s overall commercial performance as defined by the weekly Potential Opportunities report (profit, footfall, wastage and stock) and to report any concerns or questions to the relevant. HR and Payroll

Customer Service and Communication