At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Horticultural team and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Squire's, a family-owned garden centre group dedicated to employee happiness since 1936.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% restaurant discounts, generous holiday, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, energetic team that values customer service and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Retail experience in bedding or horticulture knowledge is essential.
- Other info: Flexible hours with opportunities for learning and development.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide management support to the Horticultural team, with customer service at the forefront of everything you achieve. Working closely with the Plant Manager to help the Garden Centre succeed.
Rota: Full time, 40 hours a week 09:00 - 18:00, including working alternate weekends.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Maintain good control over stock levels, including accurate ordering and stock clearance where necessary.
- Train and monitor your team to ensure that stock is cared for appropriately.
- Co-operate fully with line management and product managers.
- Take responsibility for the whole department in the absence of the manager.
- Ensure all queries and complaints are handled with courtesy and referred where necessary to the manager and product manager.
- Customer Service expectations are exceeded.
- Sales opportunities are generated through interaction with customers.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people:
- Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
- A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment are essential.
- You will be flexible, enthusiastic, highly motivated, commercially aware, and have the ability to create dynamic displays.
Rewards & Benefits:
- Employee Discount: 50% in Restaurants and 20% in Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 years’ service and 30% after 5 years’ service.
- Holiday (including bank holidays): 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 weeks after 2 years’ service and 6.6 weeks after 5 years’ service.
- Bonus: We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date).
- Pension: We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.
- Attendance: After one year's service, if you have worked for a full financial year and have 100% attendance, one day holiday (pro-rata) will be added to your holiday grant as a 'Thank you'.
- Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D): A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown/inspired the business. There is a monthly winner. All winners select a gift to receive.
- Learning & Development: You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.
- Birthday: After 6 months service, if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early (holiday policy rules apply). If you have 2 years service on your birthday, you will receive a £25 Squires gift voucher (pro rata for less than 40 hours).
- Cycle2work scheme: After 1 year's service, a government initiative which offers a 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted out of your pay over 12 or 19 months.
- Child's first day at school: After 1 year's service, come in late and go home early on your child's first day of school life, so that you can be there to take them and pick them up from school on their first day.
- RHS Membership or a Tree/Shrub: After 1 year's service, Squire's employees can choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year up to the value of £50 retail on the anniversary of your engagement or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): After 2 years service, employees are eligible to join an EAP that gives them access to a range of wellbeing resources, etc.
- Retirement: After 15 years service, if you are retiring and have over 15 years service, your contracted hours will be reduced by a fifth but your pay will remain the same for your final 3 months.
- Free Parking: Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our site.
Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager employer: Gregory Poole Equipment Company
Contact Detail:
Gregory Poole Equipment Company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific plants and products that Squire's offers. Understanding their range will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any previous experience in retail or horticulture during your conversations. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed stock levels or trained a team in past roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your customer service skills by preparing examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in previous jobs. This will resonate well with Squire's ethos of exceptional service.
✨Tip Number 4
Be enthusiastic and show your passion for gardening and customer interaction. A positive attitude can set you apart from other candidates and align with the friendly environment at Squire's.
We think you need these skills to ace Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive knowledge and experience in retail bedding or horticulture. Use specific examples that demonstrate your customer service skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for customer service and your enthusiasm for the role. Mention how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities of the Assistant Plant Area Manager position.
Showcase Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise skills such as stock management, team training, and customer interaction. Provide concrete examples of how you've successfully handled similar tasks in past roles.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gregory Poole Equipment Company
✨Show Your Passion for Horticulture
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for plants and gardening during the interview. Share any relevant experiences or qualifications you have in horticulture, as this will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the company’s values.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Skills
Since customer service is a key focus for the position, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've provided excellent service in previous roles. Highlight your ability to handle queries and complaints with courtesy and professionalism.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Abilities
As an Assistant Plant Area Manager, you'll need to train and monitor your team. Share examples of how you've successfully led a team in the past, focusing on your training methods and how you motivate others to achieve their best.
✨Prepare Questions About Stock Management
Since maintaining stock levels is a crucial part of the job, come prepared with questions about their current stock management practices. This shows your understanding of the role and your proactive approach to ensuring the department's success.