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- Tasks: Lead the Garden Furniture Department and drive sales through customer engagement.
- Company: Join a family-owned garden centre group with a friendly, energetic culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous discounts, holiday perks, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for personal growth and a fun workplace atmosphere.
- Why this job: Make a difference in a vibrant team while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail management and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide management support to the Garden Furniture Department, working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the department succeed.
Responsibilities
- Maintain good control over stock levels, including accurate ordering and stock clearance where necessary.
- Co-operate fully with line management and Product Managers.
- Take responsibility for the whole in the absence of the Manager.
- Purchase within the company product range within company guidelines.
- Feed back on current and new products to optimise range and stock availability.
- Close liaison with relevant Product Manager to ensure the optimum range and stock availability.
- Use initiative to increase sales in their department.
- Generate sales opportunities through interaction with customers.
- Standards of appearance are monitored and maintained.
- Organise and allocate team and individual tasks, in line with customer service needs.
- Handle queries and complaints with courtesy, referring where necessary to the Manager and Product Manager.
Success Criteria
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, and want our staff to enjoy working in a friendly, energetic, customer‑focused environment.
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 – Non‑contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year.
- Pension – Defined Contribution Pension Plan for new employees. Company contributions match government criteria.
- Attendance – After one year’s service, if full attendance, one day holiday (pro‑rata) added as a 'thank you'.
- Made A Difference Scheme (M&A.D) – Reward scheme for outstanding customer service; monthly winner selects a gift.
- Learning & Development – Opportunities to develop skills and confidence.
- Birthday – After 6 months service, if birthday falls on contracted day, allow leaving early; after 2 years, receive £25 Squires gift voucher.
- Cycle2work Scheme – Government initiative offering 25–39% saving on new cycling equipment after 1 year service.
- Child's first day at school – After 1 year service, reduced working hours to accommodate child’s first school day.
- RHS Membership or plant a tree / shrub – After 1 year service, choose a tree or shrub or £50 RHS annual membership per anniversary.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – Eligibility after 2 years service for wellbeing resources.
- Retirement – After 15 years service, contracted hours reduced by one‑fifth, pay remains same for final 3 months.
- Free Parking – Available to all employees.
Garden Furniture - Department Head employer: Squires Garden Centre
Contact Detail:
Squires Garden Centre Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Garden Furniture - Department Head
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research Squires Garden Centre and understand their values and culture. This will help you tailor your approach during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to management and customer service. Think about how you would handle stock control and team allocation, as these are key responsibilities for the Department Head role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the Squires family and ready to contribute to our success.
We think you need these skills to ace Garden Furniture - Department Head
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Gardening: When writing your application, let your love for gardening shine through! We want to see how your enthusiasm aligns with our mission at Squires Garden Centre. Share any relevant experiences or hobbies that showcase your passion for garden furniture and customer service.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to fit the role of Department Head. Highlight your management experience and how it relates to maintaining stock levels and increasing sales. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills with what we’re looking for!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We love a well-structured application that’s easy to read. Use bullet points if necessary to outline your key achievements and responsibilities in previous roles, especially those related to retail and team management.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the position. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our friendly team at Squires Garden Centre!
How to prepare for a job interview at Squires Garden Centre
✨Know Your Stock
Familiarise yourself with the types of garden furniture available and current trends in the market. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview and show that you're proactive about understanding the product range.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in managing teams and how you've successfully allocated tasks in previous roles. Highlight specific examples where your leadership made a difference, especially in customer service settings.
✨Customer Interaction is Key
Think of ways you've engaged with customers in the past. Be ready to share stories about how you handled queries or complaints, as this will illustrate your ability to maintain high standards of customer service.
✨Align with Company Values
Research Squires Garden Centre's history and values. During the interview, express how your personal values align with their commitment to customer satisfaction and employee happiness. This connection can set you apart from other candidates.