Head of Gardencare

Head of Gardencare

Reporting To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Location: Oranmore, Co. Galway

Position Overview

The Head of Gardencare is a senior leadership position responsible for the strategic direction, commercial performance, and growth of the Gardencare business across Ireland and the UK. Reporting directly to the CEO and forming part of the senior management team, the successful candidate will lead the development and execution of business strategy, drive profitability, strengthen customer relationships, and support innovation to achieve ambitious commercial objectives.

This role requires a commercially focused leader with experience in the horticultural, garden centre, or FMCG sectors, coupled with strong leadership, business development, and strategic planning capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the strategic vision and business plan for the Gardencare division.
• Deliver business objectives aligned with organisational growth and profitability targets.
• Contribute as a key member of the senior leadership and innovation teams.
• Identify and develop new market, customer, and sales channel opportunities.

Commercial Management

• Take full ownership of business development, revenue growth, profitability, and commercial performance.
• Prepare and manage annual revenue and gross margin budgets.
• Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with customers, distributors, and key stakeholders.
• Lead commercial negotiations and effectively manage trading issues.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and direction to Area Managers to achieve business objectives.

Marketing & Product Development

• Work closely with the Marketing Manager to develop and implement annual Gardencare marketing plans.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director and wider business to identify new product opportunities that meet consumer needs and category growth objectives.
• Support the successful development and launch of new products.
• Contribute actively to innovation initiatives and continuous improvement.

Leadership & Business Performance

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and customer satisfaction.
• Apply analytical and fact-based decision-making to drive business growth.
• Ensure effective planning, organisation, and administration across all aspects of the role.
• Demonstrate sound commercial judgement and decisive leadership.

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong commercial awareness and strategic thinking.
• Experience leading business growth within the horticultural, garden centre, or FMCG sectors.
• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills.
• Strong analytical and numerical capability with experience interpreting commercial data.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Highly organised with excellent planning and time management skills.
• Self motivated, results oriented, and capable of working independently.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with operational execution.

Experience & Qualifications

Essential

• Minimum of five years' senior commercial leadership experience, preferably within the horticultural, garden centre, or FMCG sectors.
• Business degree or equivalent qualification.
• Proven track record of delivering commercial growth and business development.
• Demonstrated success in building and growing businesses in changing and competitive markets.
• Full, valid driving licence.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially driven with strong leadership capability.
• Strategic thinker with an innovative mindset.
• Customer-focused and relationship-oriented.
• Confident decision-maker with sound commercial judgement.
• Excellent communicator and active listener.
• Highly motivated with strong drive and ambition.
• Professional, respectful, and collaborative.
• Passionate about delivering results while supporting team success.