Outdoor Division Manager (Operations & Inventory Control)
Swan Lake Market & Garden is seeking a hands-on Outdoor Division Manager to lead and strengthen our garden centre and exterior retail operations.
This is a working leadership role within a high-volume seasonal environment. The successful candidate will combine operational strength, commercial plant knowledge, and financial discipline to drive performance across our outdoor division.
This is not a desk-based management position — however, strong analytical and spreadsheet capability is required.
About the Role
The Outdoor Division Manager is directly accountable for the operational and financial performance of the outdoor division, including:
- Garden centre and plant departments
- Trees, shrubs, soils, and seasonal outdoor categories
- Outdoor merchandising and yard presentation
- Seasonal outdoor events and workshop coordination
- Vendor relationships and purchasing discipline
You will operate with significant autonomy and are expected to run the outdoor division independently within approved financial parameters.
You will report directly to ownership and participate in structured weekly financial performance reviews.
Core ResponsibilitiesDivision Leadership & Operations
- Oversee all daily outdoor operations
- Conduct regular property walk-throughs to maintain standards
- Lead department managers and seasonal staff
- Recruit, hire, train, and hold staff accountable
- Maintain strong merchandising standards
This role requires active physical participation in yard operations.
Plant Knowledge & Inventory Booking
- Lead annual and seasonal inventory booking cycles
- Forecast demand based on historical data
- Manage vendor relationships
- Monitor inventory turns and mitigate risk
- Manage markdown and exit strategies
- Ensure gross margin targets are achieved
The successful candidate must balance horticultural knowledge with commercial profitability.
Financial Accountability
- Own and manage financial performance
- Control labour within budgets
- Maintain purchasing discipline
- Identify efficiency opportunities
This role carries purchase order authority within approved budgets.
Data & Analysis Capability (Required)
This role requires independent use of Excel or similar tools to analyze purchasing, inventory, and financial data.
The successful candidate must be able to:
- Build and manage spreadsheets to track purchase orders
- Calculate totals, margins, and variances (e.g., quantity × cost)
- Reconcile vendor orders against internal budgets
- Sort, filter, and analyze POS data
This is a core requirement. Candidates without hands-on spreadsheet capability will not be a fit.
What We’re Looking For
- Experience managing multi-department retail or garden centre operations
- Strong plant knowledge and seasonal planning experience
- Proven ability to manage inventory and financial performance
- Strong leadership and accountability skills
- Ability to operate independently
We are seeking a builder — someone who can strengthen structure and improve performance.
Pay: $65,000.00-$75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Store discount
Experience:
- Business management: 5 years (required)
- Retail Customer Service: 5 years (required)
- Applied Plant Knowledge: 3 years (preferred)
Location:
- Vernon, BC V1B 3W6 (preferred)
Work Location: In person
