The Merchandising Lead is responsible for multiple garden centers and leads a team of merchandisers while visiting stores on a weekly basis. Position provides in-store assistance to merchandisers on garden center best practices.

• Build and maintain positive business relationships with store associates and all levels of store management and garden center staff, as well as SGI Merchandisers.
• Develop knowledge of TAP program; understand seasonal action plans and merchandising execution for all live goods. 
• Teach, train, mentor and develop merchandisers to ensure compliance with merchandising standards and best practices. 
• Gain insight into sell-through and inventory positions primarily through store visits. 
• Communicate store and product conditions to supervisor on a regular basis. 
• Execute approved merchandising plans, store layouts and modulars. 
• Communicate regularly with Walmart Store Management and Garden Center staff and check in at each store visit.
• Promote the Smith Gardens brand image of excellence, consistency and professionalism as well as the brand image of the assigned store. Help achieve our customers’ goal to be the garden center of choice for their consumers. 
• Advocate for safety and safe work practices for both self, team and store. 
• Clean, condense and organize all Live Goods garden center products on racks and tables. Ensure products are signed and priced correctly. 
• Cull and remove unsellable merchandise and dispose according to store policy. 
• Assist in working new plant deliveries and restocking patio tables and storefront displays. 
• Ensure all Live Goods are fully watered, assist as needed. 

• Ability to think and react in a high-energy, high pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Professional work ethic and a positive attitude.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Self-motivated with the ability to prioritize and manage ever-changing priorities.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and in writing, in person and via phone with all levels of customers and staff. 

• 2-3 years previous retail/merchandising experience is preferred. 
• Must have reliable transportation and current driver's license with auto insurance. 
• Must have smartphone (iPhone or Android only) with autofocusing camera and working data plan. 
• Prior experience in nursery and bedding plants a plus.

• Pushing and pulling fully-loaded rolling delivery racks of product (approximate weight 300-500 lbs.). 
• Lifting and carrying flats of product to racks or tables through garden center (approximate weight 5-40 lbs.). 
• Unloading delivery racks of plant material flats, 1-, 2- and 3-gallon product and planters and 5-gallon trees/shrubs. 
• Pushing empty racks to side or back of building to be picked up.
• Leaning over tables and end caps to organize and stock product.
• Lifting store fixtures, block, board and empty pallets for building tables and displays. 
• Moving point-of-purchase (POP) signs and fixtures. 
• Work long hours as need during busy season, including weekends and holidays. 
• Ability to work outside in inclement weather (rain, wind, heat, cold, direct sun, etc.).