Garden Center Associate

About the role

This position is responsible for the care, display, and replenishment of Costa Farms products in retail garden centers, maintaining accurate inventory and upholding high merchandising standards. Costa Farms has openings in Garden Centers around Bluffton and Charleston, SC.

Responsibilities

• Ensure Costa Farms and/or third-party products are neatly displayed, fully stocked, and visually appealing at all times.
• Follow Costa Farms merchandising standards and planograms to maintain consistency across stores.
• Rotate inventory based on freshness and product lifecycle.
• Provide excellent customer service to stores and store personnel by exhibiting impeccable professionalism, integrity, and decorum.
• Meet flexible scheduling needs, including weekends, nights, and holidays, based on business demand.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather information or assist as required.
• Comply with safety standards while working in stores and ensure others do the same.
• Exhibit high levels of productivity and accuracy while merchandising products.
• Complete surveys and Go Spot Check missions correctly and promptly.
• Track and report inventory levels using designated systems.
• Arrive to set locations to meet with the team as needed and consistently complete assigned schedule.
• Prepare stores for tours, meetings, and other events as required.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with store personnel.
• Ensure consumers are treated well by projecting a cheerful, helpful, and friendly persona.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Previous retail, merchandising, or garden center experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of plant care is a plus.

Physical Demands

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.

Work Environment

The Garden Center Merchandiser role is a physically active, hands-on position based in the garden centers of retail locations, such as The Home Depot. Team members will work outdoors or in semi-covered environments, exposed to varying weather conditions including heat, humidity, rain, and cold. This role requires frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing racks, and reaching, and team members must be able to lift and move plant products or displays up to 50 lbs. safely. Merchandisers are expected to work independently and manage their time effectively while meeting merchandising and operational expectations. A reliable mode of transportation is necessary, as team members may be assigned to multiple retail locations within a designated territory.

Skills

• Ensures plants are merchandised to Costa Farms' standards; displays are clean and organized; product presentation is consistent and appealing.
• Effectively prioritizes daily tasks and manages time independently across multiple locations or responsibilities.
• Clearly communicates with store associates, supervisors, and internal teams; reports inventory updates, issues, or store needs in a timely manner.
• Acts as a positive representative of Costa Farms while engaging with store staff and customers in a friendly, respectful manner.
• Identifies and addresses issues (e.g., damaged product, inventory discrepancies, or display adjustments) with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working in changing conditions (weather, seasonal product changes, or shifting schedules) and adjusting priorities as needed.
• Works well both independently and collaboratively; supports peers and fosters a culture of shared success and accountability.
• Capable of performing physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, standing for long periods, and working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Dependable and punctual with a strong work ethic; maintains consistent attendance and follows through on responsibilities.
• Able to use a smartphone or tablet to submit reports, photos, and updates through company platforms (e.g., Teams, internal apps).

Competencies

• Collaborates
• Communicates Effectively
• Time Management
• Accountability
• Customer Focus
• Dependability

Benefits

• Company 401(k) Matching Contributions
• Health Savings Account, Flexible Spending Account, and Dependent Care
• Telemedicine / Mental Health Services
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance (Aflac)
• Growth Opportunities
• Challenging and exciting work environment
• Costa Farms Scholarship
• Employee discounts on plants

All applicants must be work-authorized. Costa Farms will not sponsor any visa for this position.

Notice of AI Use in Job Application Review: As part of our commitment in creating a fair, efficient, and consistent hiring process we may use artificial intelligence (AI) to help our recruiting teams organize, summarize, and analyze information provided by candidates, including resumes, application responses, and other materials submitted during the application process. AI may be used to identify patterns, highlight relevant skills and experience, and assist in comparing a candidate’s qualifications with the requirements of a specific role. These tools are used to improve efficiency and consistency while supporting more informed hiring decisions, which will ultimately be made by the hiring team.