Job Description

Job Title: Nursery Manager

Location: San Jose, CA (On-site)

Company: Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery

Compensation: $75,000 – $100,000 annually, based on experience and

qualifications; Exempt position

Work Location: In person

About Us:

Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery have grown with the San Jose community since 1973. As your neighborhood nursery and a trusted source for both residential and commercial landscaping needs, we’re proud to offer expert advice, premium plants, and the tools to get the job done right. We are looking for a dedicated and experienced Nursery Manager to lead our growing team and help shape the next chapter of our legacy.

Position Summary:

The Nursery Manager oversees the nursery's daily operations, including team leadership of up to 20 employees, plant health and inventory management, merchandising, and customer service. This role requires horticultural expertise, strong leadership, and business savvy to ensure a thriving nursery department.

Key Responsibilities:

Staff Management

• Lead, schedule, and develop a team of nursery associates and supervisors
• Ensure high productivity, efficiency, and excellent customer service
• Assist with hiring, onboarding, training and coaching team members
• Supervise all workforce functions, including scheduling and training employees to ensure productivity, efficiency, and high-quality performance in daily operations. Manage time and attendance, performance, leave processing, injury handling, and employee discipline

Plant Health & Inventory

• Oversee watering, fertilizing, pruning, and rotation of plant inventory
• Monitor plant quality and health to ensure optimal appearance and performance
• Coordinate seasonal orders and develop strong vendor relations
• Maintain accurate inventory records and stock levels

Customer Engagement & Merchandising

• Assist customers with plant selection, gardening, advice, and project planning
• Create attractive, seasonal merchandising displays
• Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming nursery environment
• Develop strong customer relationships and learn to anticipate customer needs

Administrative & Operations

• Support forecasting, ordering, and scheduling in collaboration with senior management
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel is a plus
• Experience with Epicor Propello (or similar POS/inventory systems) is a plus
• Ensure timely and accurate use of operational systems
• Demonstrate effective collaboration with all other departments

Compliance & Safety

• Promote safety procedures and enforce company policies
• Support basic compliance with relevant regulations and workplace standards

Other

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• 5+ years of customer service and management experience
• 5+ years of nursery, garden center, horticultural or other related industry experience
• Strong knowledge of plants, soils, irrigation, fertilizers, and pest/disease control
• Develop new nursery strategies where needed
• Ability to work independently and part of a team
• Proven leadership and team management skills
• Define, develop and report on Nursery Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and work outdoors in various weather conditions
• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required
• Reliability, attention to detail, and accuracy are a must
• Self-motivated
• Bilingual English/Spanish is a plus
• Ability to effectively prioritize and manage multiple projects or tasks at the same time
• Experience with OSHA Safety and regulations is a plus
• Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Word and Excel
• Experience with Epicor Propello or related POS is a plus
• Must have the ability to learn new software and technologies quickly
• Bachelor's degree preferred, but not required

Compensation & Benefits:

• Salary range: $75,000 – $100,000 annually, based on experience and qualifications
• Performance-based bonuses
• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Employee discount
• Opportunities for growth within a locally owned, community-focused business

Employment Type: Full-time, exempt

Work Schedule: 5.5 days per week, including weekends, peak seasonal periods and holidays

Work Location: In person

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

At-Will Employment Notice:

Employment with Payless Hardware, Rockery, and Nursery is at-will. This means if hired your employment is not for a fixed term

and may be terminated by you or the company at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to applicable laws.

We are your local hardware store and we are a part of your community. Ace Hardware has over 5,000 stores around the world with the majority of those stores independently owned and operated by local entrepreneurs. These hard working men and women are part of the fabric of your community. They are small business owners who are local and loyal...just like it ought to be. While others have become large and impersonal, at Ace, we've remained small and very personal. That's why we say a visit to Ace, is like a visit to your neighbor.

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