Garden Center Associate

About the Company

Costa Farms is one of the world’s largest horticultural growers, founded in 1961 in Miami, Florida. Starting on 30 acres, the company has grown to over 5,000 acres worldwide, with farms in North and South Carolina, Central and South Florida, the Dominican Republic, and an office in China. Employing nearly 6,000 people—including engineers, marketers, accountants, growers, and plant scientists—Costa Farms operates with the values of H3: Humble, Hungry, and Hustling. The company’s mission is to enrich the world by bringing plants into everyone’s life, cultivating over 1,500 plant varieties while innovating in sustainability and plant care. Costa Farms fosters a diverse, collaborative, and growth-oriented culture.

About the Role

The Garden Center Merchandiser serves as the face of Costa Farms in retail garden centers, ensuring brand standards, optimizing product presentation, and delivering a positive customer experience. This role involves maintaining displays, replenishing stock, managing inventory, and upholding merchandising standards. The position is based in Garden Centers around Bradenton, FL.

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 with professionalism, integrity, and decorum.
• Availability for flexible schedule changes based on business needs, including weekends, nights, holidays, and seasonal demand.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams as required.
• Comply with safety standards and ensure the same from other Costa Farms employees.
• Maintain high productivity and accuracy while merchandising products.
• Complete surveys and Go Spot Check missions promptly and correctly.
• Track and report inventory levels using designated systems.
• Arrive at assigned locations to meet with the team and complete scheduled tasks.
• Prepare stores for tours, meetings, and events as required.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with store personnel.
• Project a cheerful, helpful, and friendly persona to ensure positive consumer interactions.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Requirements

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

Physical Demands

This role is physically active and hands-on, requiring:

• Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, 50 pounds frequently, and 20 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or move objects.
• Frequent standing, walking, bending, lifting, pushing racks, and reaching.
• Ability to lift and move plant products or displays up to 50 lbs. safely.
• Working outdoors or in semi-covered environments, exposed to varying weather conditions (heat, humidity, rain, cold).

Work Environment

The role is based in retail garden centers, such as The Home Depot. Merchandisers work independently, manage their time effectively, and may be assigned to multiple locations within a designated territory. A reliable mode of transportation is necessary.

Skills

• Merchandising: Ensures plants are displayed to Costa Farms' standards, with clean, organized, and appealing presentations.
• Time Management: Effectively prioritizes daily tasks and manages time independently across multiple locations.
• Communication: Clearly communicates with store associates, supervisors, and internal teams; reports inventory updates, issues, or store needs promptly.
• Customer Focus: Acts as a positive representative of Costa Farms, engaging with store staff and customers in a friendly, respectful manner.
• Problem-Solving: Identifies and addresses issues (e.g., damaged product, inventory discrepancies) with minimal supervision.
• Adaptability: Comfortable working in changing conditions (weather, seasonal product changes, shifting schedules) and adjusting priorities as needed.
• Teamwork: Works well both independently and collaboratively; supports peers and fosters a culture of shared success and accountability.
• Physical Stamina: Capable of performing physically demanding tasks, including lifting, bending, standing for long periods, and working outdoors.
• Dependability: Reliable and punctual with a strong work ethic; maintains consistent attendance and follows through on responsibilities.
• Tech-Savviness: Able to use a smartphone or tablet to submit reports, photos, and updates through company platforms (e.g., Teams, internal apps).

Competencies

• Collaboration
• Effective Communication
• Time Management
• Accountability
• Customer Focus
• Dependability

Benefits

• Competitive wages.
• 401(k) plan with company matching contributions.
• Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), and Dependent Care options.
• Telemedicine and mental health services.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Pet insurance.
• Supplemental insurance (Aflac).
• Growth opportunities and challenging work environment.
• Costa Farms scholarship program.
• Employee discounts on plants.

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