Gifts - Sales Assistant

Gifts - 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 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 that values customer service and offers growth opportunities.
  • Qualifications: Looking for friendly, eager learners with good interpersonal skills.
  • Other info: Flexible hours and special perks like early leave on your birthday!

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 Monday 10:00-15:00, Friday and Saturday 10:00-18:00

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:

    • Good friendly manner
    • Good interpersonal skills
    • Willingness 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:

    • 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.

    Gifts - Sales Assistant employer: Squires Garden Centres

    Squire's is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and supportive work culture where employees are valued for their friendliness and dedication to customer service. With extensive benefits including generous employee discounts, holiday entitlements that increase with service, and numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth, Squire's fosters a rewarding environment for its staff. Located in the picturesque regions of Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex, and Berkshire, working here means being part of a family-owned business that prioritises the happiness and development of its team members.
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    Contact Detail:

    Squires Garden Centres Recruiting Team

    StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

    We think this is how you could land Gifts - Sales Assistant

    ✨Tip Number 1

    Familiarise yourself with the products and services offered at Squire's. Knowing the ins and outs of the gifts and garden centre items will help you engage customers effectively and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.

    ✨Tip Number 2

    Practice your customer service skills by engaging with friends or family in a retail scenario. This will help you feel more comfortable greeting customers and handling queries, which is crucial for this position.

    ✨Tip Number 3

    Show your willingness to learn by researching common gardening and gift-related questions. Being knowledgeable about customer needs will set you apart and demonstrate your commitment to providing excellent service.

    ✨Tip Number 4

    Network with current employees or visit the garden centre to get a feel for the work environment. This can provide valuable insights into the company culture and help you tailor your approach during the interview process.

    We think you need these skills to ace Gifts - Sales Assistant

    Customer Service Skills
    Interpersonal Skills
    Communication Skills
    Problem-Solving Skills
    Attention to Detail
    Sales Skills
    Teamwork
    Adaptability
    Time Management
    Merchandising Skills
    Positive Attitude
    Willingness to Learn
    Conflict Resolution
    Product Knowledge

    Some tips for your application 🫡

    Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in customer service and sales. Emphasise any previous roles where you provided support to customers or worked in a retail environment.

    Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Mention specific qualities that make you a good fit, such as your friendly manner and willingness to learn.

    Showcase Interpersonal Skills: Use examples from past experiences to demonstrate your interpersonal skills. Describe situations where you successfully handled customer queries or contributed to a positive shopping experience.

    Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

    How to prepare for a job interview at Squires Garden Centres

    ✨Show Your Friendly Side

    As a Sales Assistant, having a good friendly manner is crucial. Make sure to smile and greet your interviewer warmly. This will demonstrate your interpersonal skills and show that you can create a welcoming atmosphere for customers.

    ✨Prepare for Customer Scenarios

    Think about common customer queries and how you would handle them. Be ready to discuss how you would identify customer needs and provide solutions. This shows that you understand the importance of customer service in this role.

    ✨Demonstrate Your Willingness to Learn

    Express your eagerness to learn and grow within the company. Mention any previous experiences where you adapted quickly or took on new responsibilities. This aligns with the company's ethos of promoting learning and development.

    ✨Know the Company Values

    Familiarise yourself with Squire's values and mission. During the interview, reference how your personal values align with theirs, especially regarding customer service and teamwork. This shows that you are genuinely interested in being part of their family-oriented culture.

    Gifts - Sales Assistant
    Squires Garden Centres
    S
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