Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant
Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant

Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant

Milford Part-Time No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Assist customers and ensure a great shopping experience in our Pets and Aquatics section.
  • 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 that values customer service and offers growth opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Looking for friendly, approachable individuals with good interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn.
  • Other info: Flexible hours on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; perfect for students!

03 July 2025

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.

Rota: Every Wednesday and Thursday 10:00-14:00, Saturday 11:00-15:00

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:

  • Good friendly manner
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Willing to learn

Squire’s is a family-owned group of 17 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:
We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness, and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’. In turn we will provide an extensive benefit package, please see below.

  • 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 week 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 are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. 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 years 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 years 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 years 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.

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Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant employer: Squires Garden Centres

Squire's is an exceptional employer, offering a friendly and energetic work environment where employees are valued for their commitment to customer service. With generous benefits such as extensive holiday allowances, employee discounts, and opportunities for personal growth through learning and development, Squire's fosters a culture of support and recognition, making it a rewarding place to build a career in the heart of Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire.
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Contact Detail:

Squires Garden Centres Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the products and services offered at Squire's. Knowing about pets and aquatics will help you engage with customers effectively and demonstrate your passion for the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Practice your customer service skills by interacting with friends or family. Focus on greeting them warmly and addressing their needs, as this will reflect the friendly manner Squire's values.

✨Tip Number 3

Visit a local garden centre to observe how staff interact with customers. Take notes on their approach to customer queries and merchandising, which can give you insights into what Squire's expects.

✨Tip Number 4

Be prepared to discuss your willingness to learn during the interview. Highlight any previous experiences where you adapted quickly or took the initiative to learn something new, as this aligns with Squire's ethos.

We think you need these skills to ace Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant

Customer Service Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Communication Skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Attention to Detail
Sales Skills
Teamwork
Adaptability
Product Knowledge (Pets and Aquatics)
Merchandising Skills
Time Management
Friendly Demeanour
Willingness to Learn

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description carefully to understand the key responsibilities and skills required for the Sales Assistant position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with these requirements.

Craft a Friendly Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your good friendly manner and interpersonal skills. Use a warm tone and provide examples of how you've successfully assisted customers in the past.

Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise any previous roles in customer service or retail. Mention specific instances where you provided excellent customer support or contributed to a positive shopping experience.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, thoroughly proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application demonstrates attention to detail and professionalism, which are important in a customer-facing role.

How to prepare for a job interview at Squires Garden Centres

✨Show Your Passion for Pets and Aquatics

Make sure to express your enthusiasm for pets and aquatics during the interview. Share any personal experiences you have with animals or aquatic life, as this will demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewer.

✨Demonstrate Excellent Customer Service Skills

Since the role involves providing a great shopping experience, be prepared to discuss how you've handled customer queries in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your friendly manner and ability to identify customer needs effectively.

✨Research the Company Culture

Familiarise yourself with Squire's values and commitment to customer service. Understanding their ethos of 'nothing is too much trouble for our customers' will allow you to align your answers with their expectations and show that you're a good fit for their team.

✨Prepare Questions to Ask

At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Prepare thoughtful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.

Pets and Aquatics - Sales Assistant
Squires Garden Centres
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