Job Description

Assistant Garden Center Manager (Hands-On) — Janesville, WI

Nature’s Touch Garden Center | Full-time, year-round
Pay: $16–$21/hour (based on experience)
Schedule: 50+ hours/week minimum | Weekends required | Peak seasonal hours

This is not an entry-level plant job.

We’re looking for a true garden center pro—someone with local plant knowledge who can confidently guide customers and staff on irrigation, fertilizer programs, and herbicide use . If you know what works in southern Wisconsin (sun/shade, soil types, timing, pests, and weeds), you’ll thrive here.

What you’ll do

• Lead the floor: Set the tone for customer service, handle escalations, and keep operations moving
• Train and coach staff: Plant care routines, product knowledge, selling skills, safety, and daily standards
• Own inventory flow: ordering, receiving, stocking, pricing, merchandising, and accurate records
• Be the plant health point-person: watering plans, pruning, pest/disease identification, treatment plans, and loss prevention
• Run irrigation: troubleshoot and maintain systems; seasonal start-up/shut-down
• Fertilizer + herbicide guidance (core): recommend programs, explain safe application timing and rates (per label), and ensure best practices on-site
• Bulk materials + loading: supervise loading/unloading and train staff on safe procedures
• Merchandising + seasonal execution: build displays, coordinate promos, and keep the center clean, organized, and ready for traffic
• Opening/closing + coverage: support scheduling and daily checklists to keep the team accountable

What we’re looking for (must-haves)

• Strong local plant knowledge (trees/shrubs/perennials/annuals) and what succeeds in our climate
• Experience with irrigation systems (basic repairs/troubleshooting a big plus)
• Working knowledge of fertilizers and herbicides (pre-emergent/post-emergent, timing, safe handling, and customer education)
• Retail leadership experience (garden center, greenhouse, landscaping supply, farm store, or similar)
• Confident communicator who can explain “why” to customers and train staff clearly
• Organized, reliable, and able to keep standards high during peak season
• Able to lift 50 lbs repeatedly , work on your feet, bend/kneel, and work outdoors in all weather
• Available weekends + 50+ hours/week minimum

Benefits

• Competitive pay based on experience
• Employee discounts on plants and products
• Growth opportunity in a busy, established garden center
• Supportive team environment that values knowledge and hustle

How to apply

Email your resume (and a short note on your experience with local plants, irrigation, fertilizer/herbicides ) to:

[email protected]

Bonus if you include: your favorite “go-to” fertilizer program, an example of an irrigation issue you’ve fixed, and your approach to controlling common weeds in this region.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $16.00 - $21.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Employee discount

Work Location: In person

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