Department Manager

Family Tree Nursery, a leading top 100 garden center, is looking for its next generation of leaders. As a successful business we have been able to reinvest in and remodel our locations for a modern retail shopping experience. We pride ourselves on customer service, quality plants, creative displays, fun events and a healthy work culture. Our committed, passionate, and hardworking leaders guarantee a genuine horticultural experience. We also grow and produce most of our bedding plants, perennials, garden mums and poinsettias. Our ability to grow plants has created a strong plant culture. We have traveled extensively to bring the best production and retail practices to Kansas City. With three retail locations and over ten acres of growing space we have opportunities in a variety of positions. Competitive wages and benefits are available. These opportunities are career path jobs, with potential for future growth. Leadership skills are critical.

Our Department Manager position is a unique role which requires an individual to assert strong leadership skills as well as being fully hands-on in the day to day operations. This position involves working directly with the entire team in keeping our locations functioning at a high level through the leadership of employees and management of product flow and the customer experience. This position requires an eye for detail and the ability to assess future needs for the department and location. Constant communication and follow up is key, as they will be expected to communicate with all levels of employees clearly and concisely and in any department. Driving a sense of urgency and ownership within the department is critical to both personal and departmental success, all while being mindful of a good, clean, and safe working condition. The team’s performance reflects the department manager’s personal performance.

As a leader within the company, there is also an expectation that new ideas and strategies will be brought to the table to keep the company moving onward and upward. This role is challenged and expected to seek to take their team from good to great. The success of the entire company, not just your department, should be your goal.

Qualifications

• Years (2+) of proven experience in at least one of these areas: horticulture sales, garden center management, or other plant-based industry. Exhibits general plant knowledge of plant material.
• Strong and proven communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, customers, deliveries, events, and employees through a hands-on approach.
• Ability to hire, train, schedule and build a high functioning team, through strong leadership skills.
  
  

Requirements

• Understands watering techniques and systems to aid in watering decisions
• Ability to confidently sell plant products all while aiding in the success of our customers
• Willingness to spray or treat plants that have pests or diseases
• Maintains cleanliness and safety as a point of attention throughout the store
• Drives a sense of urgency and ownership within their department
• Creates the vision, oversight, and leadership of the department all while supporting the company’s mission statement and ownership’s vision.
• Ensures proper implementation and completion of operational systems
• Willing to make strategic and calculated risks in buying decisions and then creating the sales and merchandising plans to move through the product.
• Has a basic understanding of business profitability and what leads to good financial decisions
• Willing to work weekends and holidays
• Facilitates planning of events and workshops
• Willing to operate a skid steer
• Clear Driving record
• Must be available to work 6 days per week March, April, May, and half of June, and as business requires.
• Able to work in all-weather types and potentially the extremes; wet and cold, or hot and dry.
• Able to stand and walk on your feet for multiple hours at a time with minimal breaks.
• Able to comfortably lift 50 pounds repeatedly throughout the day.
• Competent with computers and technology-based devices; including, but not limited to Microsoft products.