Garden Centre Operations Manager- Elveden Garden Centre

PLANT GUARANTEE REVIEW US ON TRUSTPILOT PRICE MATCH PROMISE No items in wishlist No items in shopping basket View basket Garden Centre Operations Manager- Elveden Garden Centre Are you a confident, commercially focused leader with a passion for operational excellence, people development and delivering outstanding customer experiences? We are looking for an experienced Garden Centre Operations Manager to join us at Elveden Garden Centre, a brand-new Blue Diamond Garden Centre. This is a key leadership opportunity for someone who wants to be involved from the beginning. You will join the business ahead of opening, giving you the opportunity to help build the operation, develop the team, establish standards and ensure the centre is fully prepared for its first customers. We are looking for someone to join us during 2026, ahead of our planned opening in early 2027. Elveden Garden Centre | Suffolk Full-time | Including alternate weekends Competitive salary, dependent on experience Why Join Us? Blue Diamond is the UK’s leading garden centre group by turnover, with 55 centres across the UK and Channel Islands. Our success is built on inspirational retailing, exceptional customer service and strong operational discipline. We are committed to developing our people and creating long-term careers within the Group. Elveden will be a significant new addition to the Blue Diamond portfolio, and this role offers the opportunity to help shape the centre from the ground up. You will join before the doors open, giving you the time to recruit and develop the team, establish operational processes and standards, and ensure everything is in place for a successful opening. The Role As Garden Centre Operations Manager, you will play a pivotal role in preparing Elveden Garden Centre for opening and subsequently ensuring the centre operates smoothly, safely and profitably. Working closely with our Chief Executive, Department Heads, Category Heads, CREMs and the wider Blue Diamond team, you will provide strong operational leadership across the centre. Before opening, your focus will be on building and preparing the operation. This will include supporting recruitment, developing colleagues, establishing processes and procedures, preparing stock and systems, and ensuring the centre is fully ready for trade. Once open, you will take responsibility for maintaining high operational standards, developing your leadership team, controlling costs and delivering an exceptional customer experience. Pre-Opening & Operational Readiness Support the preparation and mobilisation of the centre ahead of opening. Work closely with the wider project and operational teams to ensure the centre is ready for trade. Support the recruitment, onboarding and training of the opening team. Establish clear operational standards, processes and expectations across the centre. Ensure colleagues are fully trained on Blue Diamond systems, EPOS, stock processes and operational procedures. Help create a strong team culture and clear sense of accountability from day one. Support opening plans, stock preparation, merchandising and operational testing. Leadership, Coaching & Communication Provide visible, confident leadership across the centre. Lead and coach Department Heads and Supervisors, helping them develop their teams and deliver consistently high standards. Ensure appropriate staffing levels and effective deployment of colleagues. Lead daily team huddles and regular operations meetings. Build strong working relationships across departments and with the wider Blue Diamond Group. Create a positive, professional and customer-focused culture. Stock Management & Profit Protection Maintain an accurate stock file and ensure stock processes are followed consistently. Drive strong stock management, BPI performance and accountability across departments. Oversee stock takes, wastage, credits and audits. Identify opportunities to minimise shrinkage and procedural errors. Ensure margins are accurate