Nursery Product Buyer - Temporary

Job Details: Job Location: Davidsonville, MD 21035, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $65,000.00 - $70,000.00 Salary, Job Category: 0.050, Retail Garden Center Nursery Buyer - Temporary Role

Position Overview

Are you passionate about plants, knowledgeable about horticulture, and energized by the challenge of turning that knowledge into a successful retail business?

We are looking for an experienced Nursery Buyer to fill in on the sourcing, purchasing, merchandising, and inventory management of our retail nursery department. This is a key role for someone who understands both plants and people—this is a temporary role.

Key Responsibilities

Buying & Vendor Management

• Execute seasonal buying strategies for nursery plants, trees, shrubs, perennials, annuals, houseplants, and related gardening products.
• Source high-quality, unique, and on-trend products that meet customer demand and support the garden center's merchandising strategy.
• Negotiate pricing, terms, freight, availability, and promotional opportunities with vendors.
• Coordinate purchases and deliveries to ensure appropriate inventory levels throughout the growing and selling seasons.

Inventory & Financial Management

• Monitor inventory levels, sales performance, margins, turns, shrink, and product sell-through.
• Analyze sales and inventory data to make informed purchasing decisions and maximize profitability.
• Identify slow-moving and overstocked products and develop strategies to improve sell-through.
• Balance inventory availability with responsible purchasing to minimize excess product, markdowns, and loss.
• Maintain accurate product information, pricing, vendor records, and purchasing documentation.

Merchandising & Customer Experience

• Partner with retail leadership and merchandising teams to create attractive, well-stocked, and customer-focused nursery displays.
• Help with product assortment, quantities, pricing, and placement based on customer preferences and sales performance.
• Use horticultural knowledge to help ensure the right plants are selected for the right customers, growing conditions, and seasons.
• Support a nursery environment that is visually appealing, well-maintained, and reflects the quality and expertise of the garden center.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with retail managers, nursery leadership, merchandising, inventory control, receiving, and marketing teams.
• Communicate purchasing plans, product availability, promotions, and seasonal priorities to the appropriate teams.
• Collaborate with management on seasonal forecasts, budgets, sales goals, and category strategies.
• Assist with special events, promotions, vendor programs, and other initiatives that drive nursery sales.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Horticulture, Agriculture, Business Administration, or a related field preferred; equivalent industry experience will be considered.
• 3+ years of purchasing, buying, category management, or related retail experience, preferably within a garden center, nursery, greenhouse, or horticultural business.
• Strong knowledge of horticulture, including plant varieties, growing requirements, seasonal availability, and current gardening trends.
• Demonstrated understanding of retail purchasing, inventory management, gross margin, pricing, and sales performance.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, communication, and relationship-building skills.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a seasonal, fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and experience with inventory or purchasing management systems.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with a cross-functional team.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for vendor visits, trade shows, and industry events.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Paid time off
• Employee discounts
• [Additional benefits as applicable]