Manager Trainee

Armstrong Garden Centers, Inc.
Orange County, CA

“Gardening without Guesswork”


Armstrong Garden Centers, serving 130+ years, is a leader in the Garden Center Industry and is on the search for exceptional management candidates to join our Manager Training Program. Are you driven? Passionate? Willing to Serve? Our comprehensive program includes management and operational training including a horticultural educational program which provides you the seeds of knowledge to be successful with us.


This position combines both on the job and classroom training in preparation for an Assistant Store Manager position. Our Manager Trainee candidates work alongside an existing seasoned management team and serve as an integral success to the overall performance of the store and company. Manager Trainees participate in sales, customer service and management tasks.


Position Description- How it works?

Assistant Managers in Training will participate in a 6-9 month manager training course including classroom and on-the job training in areas such as:

  • Structured 7 weeks of Classes that include:
  • Store operations
  • Human Resources
  • Financials
  • DISC communication styles
  • Visual Merchandising
  • Buying
  • Horticulture -13 weeks of classroom and on-the-job training


Primary Duties and Responsibilities- What to look forward to!

  • Be an expert and brand ambassador for Armstrong Garden Centers.
  • Able to connect with customers and provide expert knowledge of our products
  • Mentor, coach and lead a team of 10-20 members
  • Monitor inventory control, including ordering and buying materials.
  • Responsible for taking ownership of Garden Center including, maintenance, watering, visual merchandising, marketing displays, and maintaining stock levels of product.
  • Manage operations: POS, scheduling, budgets, KPIs,
  • Follow safe work practices and reporting any unsafe working conditions to management and HR.


Requirements- Do you have what it takes?

  • Previous management or supervisory experience
  • Exceptional customer service skills
  • Excellent salesmanship


Compensation – We have great benefits!

  • Medical, dental, life insurance after 90 days
  • Paid holidays and paid vacation after 90 days
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • 401K
  • Hourly rate will commensurate with experience


Work Schedule- What to expect!

  • Garden Center hours (variable with season) five-days per week, weekends required


Physical Environment/Working Conditions- Safety First!

Requires extensive use of back, legs, knees, arms, feet and hands for lifting, stooping, squatting, bending, twisting, kneeling, pulling, pushing, reaching overhead, and walking. Unassisted lifting limits between 30 and 50 lbs. Individuals may be required to do any or all of these situations throughout the work day, with an emphasis on walking and standing for a major portion of the day. The outside environment will comprise most of the day with some inside building activity.


Grooming Standards- Our Brand Promise!

Conservative grooming standards apply to all employees of Armstrong Garden Centers.

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