LEAD FLORIST & COMMERCIAL MANAGER
About Us
We are an established independent florist group with five successful shops across Berkshire and Surrey, delivering flowers for everyday occasions, weddings, funerals, events and corporate clients.
As our business continues to grow, we are looking for an exceptional Lead Florist & Commercial Manager to help shape the next stage of our development.
This is not a traditional florist role. Alongside floristry expertise, you will play a key role in purchasing, marketing, business development, customer experience and operational performance across our five shops.
This is a senior leadership position offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on a growing independent business.
The Role
This is a varied and hands-on role with responsibility for supporting all five shops.
You will oversee flower purchasing, sundries procurement, social media marketing, business development, customer service standards, wedding enquiries and operational performance, whilst supporting our floristry teams and helping the business grow.
You will work closely with the owners, shop managers and event planners to drive sales, improve profitability and develop new opportunities across the business.
A regular presence in our Wokingham shop on Saturdays is required.
Key Responsibilities
- Purchasing, Stock Control & Product Development
- Take ownership of flower purchasing across the business.
- Manage sundries, packaging, consumables and florist supplies.
- Build strong relationships with growers, wholesalers and suppliers.
- Negotiate pricing and maximise value from suppliers.
- Monitor stock levels across all locations.
- Oversee inventory control and stock management.
- Minimise flower wastage and improve stock efficiency.
- Review sales trends and purchasing patterns.
- Source new products, flower varieties and sundry ranges.
- Develop seasonal collections and product offerings.
- Continuously improve the quality, presentation and profitability of our products.
Marketing & Social Media
- Lead all marketing activity across our five shops.
- Manage and grow all social media platforms.
- Create engaging content including photography, reels, videos and seasonal campaigns.
- Increase brand awareness, customer engagement and online sales.
- Plan and deliver promotional campaigns throughout the year.
- Develop email marketing and customer retention initiatives.
- Monitor marketing performance and implement improvements.
- Work closely with shop teams to promote products, services and events.
Business Development
- Work closely with our event planners and management team to generate new business opportunities.
- Build relationships with wedding venues, funeral directors, hotels, schools, care homes and corporate clients.
- Secure new contract flower accounts.
- Develop recurring business with local companies and organisations.
- Increase wedding and event sales.
- Identify new revenue opportunities across all areas of the business.
- Build long-term partnerships that generate repeat business.
Weddings, Events & Funeral Work
- Manage and support wedding enquiries.
- Meet prospective clients and prepare quotations where required.
- Support event planning and delivery.
- Develop opportunities within funeral and sympathy flowers.
- Help grow our reputation for exceptional wedding, funeral and event floristry.
- Work closely with clients to deliver outstanding floral experiences.
Customer Service & Quality Control
- Investigate and resolve customer complaints.
- Ensure excellent customer service standards across all locations.
- Monitor customer feedback and identify improvements.
- Maintain consistency of product quality and customer experience.
- Ensure high standards of merchandising and product presentation throughout the business.
- Support shop managers and florists in maintaining operational excellence.
Operations & Performance
- Review Interflora reports and performance data.
- Monitor key business performance indicators.
- Analyse sales trends and identify opportunities for growth.
- Support shop managers to improve efficiency and profitability.
- Implement systems and processes that improve operational performance.
- Work closely with the owners to support the ongoing growth of the business.
Floristry Leadership
- Support and develop floristry teams across all locations.
- Maintain high standards of floristry, presentation and customer service.
- Assist with training and development of team members.
- Lead by example through a hands-on approach.
- Share knowledge, skills and best practice throughout the business.
- Support shops during busy periods, staff holidays and operational challenges.
Peak Trading Periods
Whilst much of this role focuses on commercial management and business development, this remains a hands-on floristry position.
During key trading periods including Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas, you will work directly alongside the floristry teams, supporting production, customer service and shop operations to ensure exceptional standards are maintained during our busiest periods.
What Success Looks Like
You will play a key role in helping us achieve:
- Growth in wedding and event sales.
- Growth in Interflora revenue and performance.
- Increased social media engagement and brand awareness.
- New business relationships and contract accounts.
- Reduced flower wastage.
- Improved profitability across all locations.
- Strong supplier relationships and effective purchasing.
- Consistently high customer satisfaction.
- A motivated and well-supported floristry team.
About You
You will be an experienced florist with strong commercial awareness and a passion for growing a successful independent business.
You will likely have:
- Several years of professional floristry experience.
- Strong bouquet-making and floral design skills.
- Experience with weddings, events and funeral floristry.
- Experience ordering flowers and managing stock.
- Strong understanding of margins, wastage and profitability.
- Social media and marketing experience.
- Excellent communication and customer service skills.
- Strong organisational and administrative abilities.
- Confidence building relationships with customers and business partners.
- Experience supervising, supporting or training team members.
- A proactive, self-motivated and solution-focused approach.
- The ability to work independently and take ownership of projects.
- A full UK driving licence.
What We Offer
- A senior leadership position within a growing independent florist group.
- The opportunity to help shape the future direction of the business.
- A varied and rewarding role combining floristry, marketing and commercial management.
- Significant autonomy and responsibility.
- Performance-related bonus opportunities.
- Staff discounts and employee benefits.
- Career progression opportunities within a growing business.
- The chance to work alongside a passionate and supportive team.
A Typical Week
A typical week could include:
- Reviewing flower purchasing requirements across all shops.
- Negotiating with suppliers and sourcing new products.
- Managing social media content and marketing campaigns.
- Meeting wedding clients and preparing quotations.
- Visiting funeral directors, care homes, hotels, schools or corporate clients to develop new business opportunities.
- Reviewing Interflora performance reports.
- Supporting florists and shop managers.
- Resolving customer service issues.
- Monitoring wastage and stock levels.
- Developing new products and seasonal ranges.
- Working in the Wokingham shop on Saturdays.
No two weeks are the same, making this an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys both floristry and business growth.
How to Apply
To apply, please send:
- Your CV
- A short introduction outlining your experience
- Examples of marketing or social media work (if available)
- Photos or links to examples of your floristry work
We look forward to hearing from you.
Pay: £28,000.00-£32,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
