At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers and ensure a great shopping experience at our garden centre.
- Company: Join Squire's, a family-owned garden centre group dedicated to customer happiness since 1936.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% restaurant discounts, generous holiday, and a bonus scheme for your hard work.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly team in a vibrant environment that values your growth and contributions.
- Qualifications: Looking for friendly, eager learners with good interpersonal skills.
- Other info: Seasonal role from March to May, with flexible working hours on weekends.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide professional support to our customers. Working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the business to succeed.
Seasonal: 1 March 2025 until 31 May 2025
Rota: Every Thursday and Friday 10:00-17:00 with alternate weekends Saturday and Sunday 10:00-17:00
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Provide an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone by:
- Ensuring all customers are greeted and offered assistance
- Handling customer queries courteously and efficiently
- Identifying customer needs through interaction, and taking appropriate action
- Excellent standards of merchandising and housekeeping are established and maintained in accordance with company guidelines
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people with a good friendly manner, good interpersonal skills, and a willingness to learn.
Squire’s is a family-owned group of 16 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticulture, catering, and retail. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer-focused environment.
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.
Contact Detail:
Squire'S Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal - Sundries - Sales Assistant
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the products and services offered at Squire's Garden Centres. Knowing your way around the garden centre and understanding the seasonal sundries will help you engage with customers more effectively and provide them with tailored assistance.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your interpersonal skills during any interactions, whether in person or over the phone. Practice friendly greetings and active listening techniques to ensure customers feel valued and understood, which is crucial for creating an enjoyable shopping experience.
✨Tip Number 3
Demonstrate your willingness to learn by asking questions about the role and the company during your interview. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and your commitment to providing excellent customer service.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss examples of how you've handled customer queries in the past. Highlighting your problem-solving skills and ability to maintain high standards of merchandising will set you apart as a strong candidate for the Sales Assistant role.
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal - Sundries - Sales Assistant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service and retail. Emphasise any previous roles where you provided support to customers or worked in a team environment.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your friendly manner and interpersonal skills. Mention why you want to work at Squire's and how you can contribute to creating an enjoyable shopping experience for customers.
Highlight Your Availability: Clearly state your availability for the specified rota, including Thursdays, Fridays, and alternate weekends. This shows your commitment and willingness to meet the company's scheduling needs.
Show Enthusiasm for Learning: Express your eagerness to learn and grow within the role. Mention any specific skills or knowledge you hope to gain while working at Squire's, which aligns with their focus on employee development.
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire'S Garden Centres
✨Show Your Customer Service Skills
Since the role focuses on providing professional support to customers, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully handled customer queries in the past. Highlight your ability to identify customer needs and provide solutions.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Spirit
Working closely with the Garden Centre Manager is key in this position. Talk about your experiences working in a team and how you contribute to a positive work environment. Emphasise your willingness to learn and adapt.
✨Prepare for Common Questions
Anticipate questions related to your interpersonal skills and how you ensure an enjoyable shopping experience. Practise your responses to demonstrate your friendly manner and approachability.
✨Research the Company Culture
Familiarise yourself with Squire's values and commitment to customer service. Understanding their family-owned ethos and focus on employee happiness will help you align your answers with their expectations during the interview.