Boutique Manager & Buyer

Job Title:  Boutique Manager & Buyer

Company Overview:

Farmer John’s is a family-owned and operated, high-end garden center and boutique located in Farmington Hills. We pride ourselves on maintaining a supportive and enjoyable work environment for our team. Join us and become part of a vibrant workplace where your contributions will make a difference.

Job Purpose:

The Boutique Manager & Buyer is responsible for delivering an exceptional shopping experience, meeting revenue goals, managing open to buy (OTB) & inventory levels, managing payroll and operational expenses, leading and training guest service expectations, and managing store operations through staffing, job assignments, accurate pricing, physical inventory, signage, and seasonally driven attractive visual merchandising.   

Key Responsibilities

Staff Management: 

• Hiring, training and coaching team members within company policies
• Set team expectations, develop and execute departmental training materials to achieve consistent performance and adhering to schedule
• Ongoing employee training and coaching through team meetings, the daily touchbase and one on one discussions as needed
• Staff schedules and daily work to achieve business goals, budgets and expectations

Customer Service:

• Train and lead a team with outstanding customer service and ensure customers are consistently the top priority
• Train and assist customers with locating products, sharing product knowledge and providing a helpful, friendly shopping experience
• Set and support product knowledge training expectations with department leads and ensure team is prepared for each season

Merchandise Purchasing:

• Source and select fashionable, on trend merchandise for the boutique in alignment with the company point of view for fashion, jewelry, hand bags, accessories and giftables.
• Analyze past buying trends, sales records, pricing strategy and profit margin to meet key performance indicators (KPI’s) and increase revenue
• Select, order and authorize payment for merchandise within budget and ensure on time delivery for each season
• Database management including vendor and item level data
• Manage and ensure accurate order tracking, data entry and purchase order creation

Merchandise Management:

• Collaborate with Warehouse Manager on merchandise processing, including unpacking, sorting, and organizing products to meet floor-ready standards within seasonal deadlines
• Ensure timely replenishment of stock on the sales floor and maintain backroom organization
• Flex between management, administration, customer service and operational tasks based on business needs

Visual Merchandising:

• Create, maintain, and update visually compelling displays in windows, ledges, and shelves throughout the store in coordination with the buyers aligning with the seasonal buying strategy
• Collaborate with manager and colleagues to set up promotional and sales events, including signage and banners 

Store Operations:

• Coordinate warehouse and stockroom organization with Warehouse and Team Members
• Manage inventory shortage control processes, shrink, physical inventory, damages and maintain accurate inventory levels
• Perform general maintenance tasks such as fixture setup, painting, and signage installation using basic tools

 Team Collaboration:

• Work closely with cross-departmental managers, team leads, and colleagues to maintain a consistent visual presentation that is clean, neat, and maintains an organized store environment in alignment with company presentation standards
• Support peers with merchandise-related tasks and adapt to changing priorities as the business demands

Skills and Qualifications

• Education & Experience
• 1. High school diploma or equivalent required
  2. At least 5 years of experience in management and merchandising
  3. 3-5 years buying experience preferred

 Knowledge & Skills:

• Ability to understand and contribute to the development of budgeting needs including payroll, open to buy (OTB), inventory loss and merchandise lifecycle
• Principals of team management, confidentiality and human resources fundamentals in managing and coaching team members
• Principles of customer service, including needs assessment and satisfaction evaluation
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact effectively with diverse groups
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment prioritizing competing demands
• Resourceful, with the ability to adapt quickly to changing priorities
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment and pivot responsibilities based on business needs
• Other duties as assigned

 Physical Requirements:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (up to 10 hours/day)
• Frequent reaching, crouching, kneeling, stooping, and lifting/moving up to 50 lbs
• Comfort working indoors in varying environmental conditions (e.g., heat during greenhouse seasons)

Technical Proficiency:

• Basic skills in reading, writing, and mathematics
• Experience with EXCEL, Google Sheets and POS systems
• Familiarity with tools such as hammers, screwdrivers, staple guns, and box cutters for tasks like signage and fixture setup

Work Context

• Requires interaction with customers, peers, staff and supervisor
• May involve dealing with challenging or discourteous individuals
• Must meet strict deadlines and adjust actions based on team needs

Regular Attendance and Punctuality:

• Dependable attendance is crucial for this role to ensure team and customer satisfaction
• General workweek includes weekends and evenings
• Independent travel required to key tradeshows for product sourcing

How to Apply

Please fill out the application on this site, or, visit our website and submit your resume online. We’re excited to meet you!

Thank you for your interest in working at Farmer John’s Home and Garden. We offer a uniquely beautiful workplace, competitive wages, and employee discounts. Our employees are part of a beloved, family owned, Michigan business that facilitates personal connection with nature and promotes well-being on every level. What’s more, Farmer John’s is an industry leader in our region, a growing business, and recognized for consistently giving back to the community that supports it.