At a Glance
- Tasks: Assist customers with their shopping experience and handle queries efficiently.
- 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 Christmas.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, energetic team focused on customer service and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Looking for friendly individuals with good interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn.
- Other info: Seasonal role from March to May, with opportunities for learning and development.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide professional support to our customers, working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the business succeed.
Seasonal: 16 March 2025 until 31 May 2025
Rota: Every Sunday 09:00 - 17:30
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Provide an enjoyable shopping experience for everyone by ensuring all customers are greeted and offered assistance.
- Handle customer queries courteously and efficiently.
- Identify customer needs through interaction, and take appropriate action.
- Help customers carry their purchases to their cars - heavy lifting will be involved.
- Ensure that the trolleys are in a neat and orderly fashion, always available for customers to use.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people with:
- A good friendly manner.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- 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: 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.
Seasonal - Customer Service - Trollies, Lift & Carry employer: Squire's Garden Centres
Contact Detail:
Squire's Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Seasonal - Customer Service - Trollies, Lift & Carry
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the products and services offered at Squire's Garden Centres. This knowledge will help you engage with customers more effectively and demonstrate your genuine interest in providing excellent service.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your interpersonal skills by engaging with friends or family in role-play scenarios. This will prepare you for handling customer queries and ensuring a friendly atmosphere when greeting shoppers.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your willingness to learn by researching common customer service challenges in retail environments. Being prepared to tackle these issues will set you apart as a proactive candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Highlight any previous experience in customer service, even if it's informal. Sharing specific examples of how you've helped others can demonstrate your capability and enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Seasonal - Customer Service - Trollies, Lift & Carry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service, especially any roles where you've assisted customers directly. Emphasise your interpersonal skills and any experience with heavy lifting or physical tasks.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific reasons why you want to work at Squire’s and how your skills align with their values of providing excellent customer service.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: Since the role requires good interpersonal skills and a friendly manner, provide examples in your application that demonstrate these qualities. Use anecdotes from previous jobs or experiences where you successfully interacted with customers.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which is crucial in customer service roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire's Garden Centres
✨Show Your Friendly Side
Since the role requires a good friendly manner, make sure to smile and greet everyone warmly during the interview. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and ability to create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.
✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios
Think of common customer service scenarios you might encounter in this role, such as handling queries or assisting with heavy lifting. Be ready to discuss how you would approach these situations, showcasing your problem-solving skills and willingness to help.
✨Highlight Your Team Spirit
Emphasise your ability to work well with others, especially since you'll be collaborating closely with the Garden Centre Manager. Share examples of past teamwork experiences that illustrate your commitment to achieving shared goals.
✨Express Your Willingness to Learn
The job description mentions a desire for candidates who are willing to learn. Be sure to convey your enthusiasm for personal development and any relevant training or skills you hope to gain while working in this role.