Head of Retail North Region
| Posting date: | 02 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 16 February 2026 |
| Location: | UK |
| Remote working: | Fully remote |
| Company: | British Garden Centres |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: |
Summary
Head of Retail North Region
Full Time 45 Hours Per Week –– Fully Flexible, Including Weekends.
Role Purpose
The Head of Retail North is accountable for the overall retail performance of their garden centre estate, ensuring consistently high standards, strong commercial delivery and an excellent customer experience across all sites.
This role leads through Regional Managers to translate strategy into effective execution at site level. The Head of Retail is responsible for improving profitability, driving retail standards and ensuring all garden centres deliver against agreed KPIs while operating safely, compliantly and in line with group values.
Retail Performance & Profitability
• Own and deliver retail sales, margin and profit performance across the estate.
• Drive delivery of agreed budgets and forecasts, taking corrective action where performance deviates.
• Ensure effective control of labour, waste and stock to maximise profitability.
• Use performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Set clear expectations for retail standards across all garden centres.
• Ensure consistent execution of merchandising, availability, ranging and visual standards.
• Champion a customer-first mindset, ensuring a compelling and consistent customer experience.
• Drive continuous improvement in store standards through clear routines, reviews and accountability.
Leadership & Capability
• Lead, coach and develop Regional Managers to deliver strong site-level performance.
• Ensure clear accountability, consistent ways of working and effective performance management.
• Build strong succession and capability plans across retail leadership roles.
• Embed group values and behaviours through visible, credible leadership.
• Ensure garden centres operate safely, efficiently and compliantly at all times.
• Work closely with central teams to ensure policies, systems and processes support effective retail execution.
• Ensure strong governance, reporting and operational discipline across the estate.
• Contribute to the development of retail strategy and translate it into practical execution plans.
• Partner with Buying, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR and Finance to deliver joined-up outcomes.
• Support integration activity, new openings or refits where required.
• Act as a senior ambassador for the retail operation within the group.
Measures of Success (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against a balanced set of commercial, operational and people outcomes, including:
Commercial
• Sales vs budget and year-on-year growth. Gross margin and contribution.
• Labour vs budget and productivity measures.
• Stock loss, waste and markdown control. Store audit and retail standards scores.
• Engagement and development of Regional Managers and site leadership teams.
• Succession strength and leadership capability.
• Compliance with people routines and performance management standards.
• Safe and compliant operation across all sites. Consistent execution of group processes and policies.
Skills & Experience
• Senior multi-site retail leadership experience (40+ sites desirable).
• Proven track record of delivering profit growth and KPI improvement.
• Strong experience leading and developing Regional Managers or equivalent roles.
• Deep understanding of core retail disciplines and KPIs.
• Commercially astute with strong analytical capability.
Personal Attributes
• Strong, visible leadership presence Commercial, decisive and results focused.
• Credible with frontline teams and senior leaders. Structured, disciplined and data led.
• Collaborative, with the confidence to challenge.
To apply:
Please send your CV & cover letter to Sanjay Dhap, Group Operations Manager Sdhap@britishgardencentres.com
Applications close – Monday 16th February 2026
Full Time 45 Hours Per Week –– Fully Flexible, Including Weekends.
Role Purpose
The Head of Retail North is accountable for the overall retail performance of their garden centre estate, ensuring consistently high standards, strong commercial delivery and an excellent customer experience across all sites.
This role leads through Regional Managers to translate strategy into effective execution at site level. The Head of Retail is responsible for improving profitability, driving retail standards and ensuring all garden centres deliver against agreed KPIs while operating safely, compliantly and in line with group values.
Retail Performance & Profitability
• Own and deliver retail sales, margin and profit performance across the estate.
• Drive delivery of agreed budgets and forecasts, taking corrective action where performance deviates.
• Ensure effective control of labour, waste and stock to maximise profitability.
• Use performance data to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement.
• Set clear expectations for retail standards across all garden centres.
• Ensure consistent execution of merchandising, availability, ranging and visual standards.
• Champion a customer-first mindset, ensuring a compelling and consistent customer experience.
• Drive continuous improvement in store standards through clear routines, reviews and accountability.
Leadership & Capability
• Lead, coach and develop Regional Managers to deliver strong site-level performance.
• Ensure clear accountability, consistent ways of working and effective performance management.
• Build strong succession and capability plans across retail leadership roles.
• Embed group values and behaviours through visible, credible leadership.
• Ensure garden centres operate safely, efficiently and compliantly at all times.
• Work closely with central teams to ensure policies, systems and processes support effective retail execution.
• Ensure strong governance, reporting and operational discipline across the estate.
• Contribute to the development of retail strategy and translate it into practical execution plans.
• Partner with Buying, Marketing, Supply Chain, HR and Finance to deliver joined-up outcomes.
• Support integration activity, new openings or refits where required.
• Act as a senior ambassador for the retail operation within the group.
Measures of Success (KPIs)
Performance will be measured against a balanced set of commercial, operational and people outcomes, including:
Commercial
• Sales vs budget and year-on-year growth. Gross margin and contribution.
• Labour vs budget and productivity measures.
• Stock loss, waste and markdown control. Store audit and retail standards scores.
• Engagement and development of Regional Managers and site leadership teams.
• Succession strength and leadership capability.
• Compliance with people routines and performance management standards.
• Safe and compliant operation across all sites. Consistent execution of group processes and policies.
Skills & Experience
• Senior multi-site retail leadership experience (40+ sites desirable).
• Proven track record of delivering profit growth and KPI improvement.
• Strong experience leading and developing Regional Managers or equivalent roles.
• Deep understanding of core retail disciplines and KPIs.
• Commercially astute with strong analytical capability.
Personal Attributes
• Strong, visible leadership presence Commercial, decisive and results focused.
• Credible with frontline teams and senior leaders. Structured, disciplined and data led.
• Collaborative, with the confidence to challenge.
To apply:
Please send your CV & cover letter to Sanjay Dhap, Group Operations Manager Sdhap@britishgardencentres.com
Applications close – Monday 16th February 2026