Squires Garden Centres – Buyer
Location: Group Office, Badshot Lea, Farnham
Hours: Full time, 40 hours
Package: £Competitive: Comprehensive benefits: Contributory Pension Scheme Overview:
Squires is a £75M + turnover successful family-owned business with 17 Garden Centres and 2 Plant Nurseries. The customer proposition is extensive and offers a broad range of categories including a strong Gardening and Restaurant business, Food, Giftware, Toys, Christmas, Clothing, Outdoor Living plus Pets & Aquatics.
As a family business with integrity, we put people and our customers at the heart of what we do and how we do it, living our business values with passion every day. We have ambitious plans to continue our growth, evolve for the future, develop and improve for our customers.
Specifics:
Garden Centres and nurseries based in Surrey, Sussex and Berkshire
Group Office located in Farnham Surrey
Over 1000 Employees with 100s of seasonals during Spring/Summer and Christmas
High levels of Employee engagement
Why are we recruiting?
We want to improve our product offer across our centres, to drive customer satisfaction and meet the ever-changing needs of our customers, driving sales and profit
Who are you, someone who:
Drive sales, profitability, and customer valued product propositions
Defines ranging and space strategy by format and centre to optimise cash profit per square metre and deliver the customer proposition
Support Senior Buyers and Garden Centre teams in range selection and performance
Work well cross functionally and engages teams and individuals in direction
Is a team player with integrity and who strives to improve our business for our customers and teams
Strong technical proficiency, with an analytical mindset
Job deliverables:
Selecting and purchasing products in line with category strategy, customer demand and future trends
Working with suppliers to develop new and exclusive products
Working with and supporting Senior Buyers in range planning, product development, and supplier negotiations
Monitor sales performance and analyse data to identify trends and opportunities
Manage purchase orders, track deliveries, and ensure stock availability
Work with the Buying Team to ensure accurate product and pricing information in internal systems
Liaise with suppliers regarding samples, pricing, and lead times
Conduct competitor and market research, to ensure product proposition is competitive
Support markdown planning and promotional activity
Attend trade shows and supplier meetings as required
KPIs
Financial Performance. Inventory and stock.
Sales efficiency.
Market position. Customer and products.
Trends and driven ranges.
ATV and sales growth.
Percentage and cash margin.
Management competencies and behaviours will include:
Essential Experience/qualifications:
3+ years experience in Retail Buying
Strong numerical and analytical skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Excel/Word
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
High attention to detail and strong organizational ability
Commercial awareness and understanding of retail trends
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
Desirable Experience/qualifications:
Extensive Buying experience
Experience in EPOS
Proven track record in delivering margin and sales growth in a retail environment
Experience of cross functional working
Please apply by emailing your CV and covering letter to jo.ripley@squiresgardencentres.co.uk, no later than 10 April 2026
Squire’s is a family-owned group of 17 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering, and retail. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.
Rewards & Benefits: We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’. In turn we will provide an extensive benefit package, please see below.
Employee Discount – 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
Bonus – We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date)
Pension – We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
Attendance – After one years service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a 'Thank you'.
Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
Learning & Development – You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
Birthday – After 6 months service if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
Cycle2work scheme – After 1 years service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
Child's first day at school – After 1 year's service come in late and go home early on your child's first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub – After 1 years service Squire's employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – After 2 years service employees are eligible to join an EAP, that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
Retirement – After 15 years service if you are retiring and have over 15 years service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
Free Parking – Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.
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