Job Description

Are you a commercially driven retail leader who knows how to turn strong planning, tight cost control, and high standards into real results?

We’re looking for an experienced Assistant Centre Manager to help lead the performance of our Otley centre — someone who understands that great retail is built on both people and numbers

About the Role

As Assistant Centre Manager, you’ll play a key role in delivering the centre’s commercial success. You’ll take ownership of sales performance, wage control, stock management, and operational standards — ensuring the centre runs efficiently, profitably, and safely.

This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll balance team development with strong commercial decision-making, making sure every area of the business is planned, measured, and continuously improved.

This is a full-time role (37.25 hours per week, including alternate weekends).

What You’ll Be Accountable For

Driving sales and profitability:

• Maximise revenue through effective merchandising, promotions, and add-on sales
• Understand product performance, margin, and seasonal trends

Commercial planning:

• Plan trading activity 6+ months ahead
• Align stock, space, and staffing with sales forecasts and peak periods

Wage and resource control:

• Plan rotas in line with footfall and sales
• Manage wage budgets and ensure productivity targets are met

Stock and supplier management:

• Control ordering, stock levels, and wastage
• Build strong supplier relationships to improve availability and margin

Operational standards & compliance:

• Ensure full compliance with health & safety, food safety, and retail standards
• Maintain rigorous checks across pricing, dates, and product quality

Leadership and accountability:

• Set clear expectations and hold teams accountable for performance
• Use performance management tools confidently (including PIPs and disciplinary processes)

Running the business:

• Take full operational responsibility in the absence of the Centre Manager
• Act as a key decision-maker on the shop floor

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience in a commercially focused retail leadership role
• Strong understanding of: Sales drivers and retail KPIs, Wage management and productivity, Stock control and merchandising planning, Health & safety and operational compliance
• A leader who is: Confident making decisions based on data and performance, Comfortable challenging and improving team performance, Highly organised, forward-thinking, and detail-driven

Why Join Our GREAT Garden Centre Team?

🌿 A GREAT Place to Work Friendly, supportive, and full of team spirit.

⏰ Work-Life Balance All roles operate within daytime hours – so your evenings stay yours.

🛍️ Up to 33% Staff Discount On garden and home favourites (*varies by store).

🚗 Free On-Site Parking Hassle-free parking every day.

🏆 GREAT Values & Recognition We celebrate our team with monthly awards and shout-outs.

🎉 Monthly Engagement Events From team updates to free food – we love getting together.

🌴 Enhanced Holiday Allowance More time off that grows with your service.

🌱 Grow With Us Company-funded development opportunities.

💚 Well-being Support to Help You Thrive EAP including 24/7 GP access, funeral concierge, and mental health support – we’re here when you need us.

💷 Pension Contributions Helping you grow a secure future.

🪴 Supporting Causes That Matter to Our Team Through our Kindness Pot, we donate to charities and local causes close to our team’s hearts – planting seeds of kindness in the community.