Chief Operating Officer - Newport News, VA

Company Overview · Anderson's has been passionate about growth and innovation for over 70 years, evolving from a beloved greenhouse and nursery into a multifaceted enterprise. Today, we proudly operate full-service restaurants, women's boutiques, coffee shops, and family focused ...

Job description

Company Overview

Anderson's has been passionate about growth and innovation for over 70 years, evolving from a beloved greenhouse and nursery into a multifaceted enterprise. Today, we proudly operate full-service restaurants, women's boutiques, coffee shops, and family focused spaces, driven by our love of plants and community. We are consistently ranked in the Top 100 Garden Centers of America and are the recipients of numerous retailing/resturant awards in Hampton Roads and nationally.

Overview

We are seeking an energetic and strategic Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead our diverse operations and propel our company toward continued success. This pivotal role requires a dynamic leader who excels in strategic planning, operations management, and fostering a culture of excellence. As COO, you will oversee daily business functions, implement process improvements, and drive business development initiatives to ensure sustainable growth.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive strategic plans that align with company goals and foster operational excellence.
• Lead and supervise multiple departments, ensuring seamless coordination across all areas of the business.
• Manage operational budgets, conduct forecasting, and oversee financial planning to optimize resource allocation.
• Drive process improvements through innovative project management and program management techniques.
• Cultivate strong leadership within teams by mentoring senior leaders and promoting a high-performance culture.
• Oversee change management initiatives to adapt swiftly to market dynamics and internal growth.
• Identify new business opportunities and develop strategies for expanding the company's market presence.
• Implement robust operations management practices that enhance efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Experience

• Proven experience in senior leadership roles with a strong background in operations management.
• Demonstrated success in managing large teams with supervising experience across multiple departments.
• Extensive knowledge of strategic planning, business development, and project management methodologies.
• Strong expertise in process improvement techniques such as Lean or Six Sigma is preferred.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis to support sustainable growth initiatives.
• Excellent leadership skills with the ability to motivate teams and drive organizational change effectively.
• Background in managing complex programs and implementing change management strategies is highly desirable. Join us as we continue to grow and innovate Bring your leadership energy, strategic vision, and passion for operational excellence to help shape the future of our vibrant company.
• Lawn and Garden and restaurant leadership experience and plus but not a disqualifier.

Position Summary

The COO will oversee the daily operations, staff management, and strategic growth of two garden center/restaurant retail locations in Virginia Beach and Newport News along with a commercial greenhouse. This role is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, delivering exceptional customer experiences, driving sales performance, and maintaining high standards of merchandising, horticultural quality, and customer service. The ideal candidate will have proven retail leadership experience, industry-specific knowledge of garden center operations, and the ability to manage weekend-heavy business schedules.

Reports To: Owner

Location: Virginia Beach, VA or Newport News, VA

Primary Responsibilities

Operational Leadership:

• Oversee daily operations of both garden centers, ensuring consistency in processes, policies, and customer service standards.
• Develop and implement operational strategies that improve efficiency, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

Staff Management & Development:

• Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate managers and staff to promote engagement, accountability, and performance.
• Schedule and allocate staff resources to meet peak business demands, with emphasis on weekends.

Retail Sales & Customer Experience:

• Drive sales performance by ensuring effective merchandising, seasonal promotions, and high-quality customer interactions.
• Monitor sales data and KPIs to identify growth opportunities and adjust strategies accordingly.

Garden Center Operations:

• Ensure plant health, inventory rotation, and merchandising standards are consistently met.
• Partner with vendors, growers, and suppliers to maintain quality and availability of products.

Financial & Business Management:

• Develop and manage budgets, sales forecasts, and expense control measures for both locations.
• Provide regular operational and financial reports to ownership/executive leadership.

Compliance & Safety:

• Maintain compliance with company policies, industry standards, and local/state regulations.
• Ensure safe working environments for employees and customers.

Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in horticulture, agriculture, business administration, or a related field. Or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in retail management, with multi-location oversight preferred.
• At least 2 years of direct experience in a garden center, nursery, or related horticultural retail environment.
• Restaurant experience is a plus as the candidate will be overseeing two high-volume restaurants inside of the garden centers in both Newport News and Virginia Beach.

Skillset

• Strong leadership and people management skills, with the ability to inspire and develop teams.
• Excellent business acumen with proven ability to meet sales and profitability goals.
• Solid knowledge of plant care, horticulture, and garden retail operations.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and customer service skills.
• Ability to work weekends and extended retail hours as required.

Attributes

• Proactive, adaptable, and able to work in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to lead and motivate a team.
• Passionate about providing consumers with an epic experience.

Work Environment

This role requires regular weekend work, as weekends represent the busiest periods for retail operations. Flexibility to travel between both locations (Virginia Beach and Newport News) is required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
• Performance-based bonus potential when meeting KPI requirements.
• Benefits package including health, dental, vision. Plan details available.
• An aggressive 401k with a 4% match.
• Employee discounts on products.
• Company Vehicle for traveling to and from sites.

Pay: $150, $200,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Relocation assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person