Garden Center Buyer

The Garden Center Buyer plays a vital role in curating and maintaining an exceptional selection of plants, garden supplies, and outdoor living products. This individual will source high-quality products that align with our brand standards, market trends, and customer demands while managing inventory levels to drive sales and profitability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Product Selection & Procurement: Source and purchase a wide variety of plants (annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs), gardening tools, hard goods, pottery, and outdoor décor that align with customer preferences and seasonal trends.
• Vendor Relations: Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors, growers, and suppliers to negotiate pricing, terms, and delivery schedules.
• Inventory Management: Monitor inventory levels to ensure optimal stock while minimizing overages and shortages. Conduct seasonal inventory planning and forecasting.
• Market & Trend Analysis: Stay updated on market trends, customer preferences, and competitor offerings to introduce new and innovative products that attract target customers.
• Sales Collaboration: Work closely with the sales and merchandising teams to ensure timely product placement, displays, and promotions that enhance the customer experience.
• Budget Management: Manage purchasing budgets effectively to meet sales and profit goals.
• Product Quality Assurance: Ensure all purchased products meet Landscape Garden Centers’ quality standards, focusing on plant health and durability of outdoor goods.
• Reporting: Track purchasing data, sales trends, and supplier performance for continual improvement and informed decision-making.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture, Business, Supply Chain, or related field (preferred).
• Experience: 3+ years of experience in purchasing, buying, or procurement, ideally in a garden center, nursery, or retail environment.
• Skills: 
  • Strong negotiation and communication skills.
  • Knowledge of horticulture, plants, and garden center products.
  • Ability to analyze data and market trends to make informed purchasing decisions.
  • Proficiency in inventory management systems and Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Detail-oriented with strong organizational and time-management abilities.
• Personal Attributes: Passion for plants, gardening, and outdoor living, with a customer-centric mindset and a proactive approach to problem-solving.