At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Garden Centre team and deliver excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Squires, a family-owned garden centre group with a friendly culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% restaurant discounts, generous holiday, and a bonus scheme.
- Other info: Great opportunities for personal growth and a vibrant work environment.
- Why this job: Lead a passionate team and make a real difference in customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in retail and a passion for gardening are essential.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Your primary responsibility will be to provide management support to the Garden Centre team, with customer service at the forefront of everything you achieve. Working closely with the Garden Centre Manager to help the centre succeed.
Rota: Monday 09:00-18:00, alternate Tuesdays 09:00-18:00, Wednesday 09:00-18:00, alternate Thursdays 09:00-18:00, Friday 09:00-18:00 with alternate weekends Saturday 09:00-18:00 and Sunday 09:00-17:30
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Understand the business plan and actively participate in delivering its goals.
- Ensure all employees are aware of the business goals.
- Take an active interest in developing the plan and improving the business.
- Establish and maintain excellent standards of merchandising and housekeeping in accordance with company guidelines.
- Co-operate fully with line and product managers.
- Purchase to company guidelines.
- Safeguard Company property against theft, loss or abuse, and investigate all security issues.
- Assist the Garden Centre Manager and deputise fully in their absence, including key holder responsibilities.
- Train and motivate retail teams to maximise sales opportunities.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people with:
- A passion for retail.
- The ability to lead and inspire a team.
- A can-do attitude and the ability to make things happen.
- Proven experience of working in a garden centre environment at this level is essential.
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 - A non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year.
- Pension - A Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees.
- 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.
- Learning & Development - A wealth of learning opportunities to enhance and develop your skills and confidence.
- Birthday - After 6 months service, if your birthday falls on your contracted day to work, you can leave work early.
- Cycle2work scheme - After 1 year's service, a government initiative which offers savings on new cycling equipment.
- 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.
- RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub - After 1 year's service, choose either one tree or shrub to plant each year or £50 towards RHS annual membership.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) - After 2 years service, access to a range of wellbeing resources.
- Retirement - After 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 designated parking areas on our site.
Assistant Garden Centre Manager in London employer: Squire's Garden Centres
Squires Garden Centres in Wokingham is an excellent employer, offering a vibrant work culture where customer service excellence is at the heart of everything we do. With flexible part-time hours and a focus on employee growth, we provide opportunities for staff to develop their skills in a supportive environment, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about enhancing guest experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Garden Centre Manager in London
✨Get Hands-On at Local Events
Hit up local horticulture fairs, plant shows, and farmer’s markets. These gatherings are a goldmine for networking and usually attract employers looking for passionate candidates. Chat with the vendors and fellow enthusiasts; you never know who might know about a full-time opening at a place like Squire's Garden Centres.
✨Join Gardening Clubs and Online Communities
Become part of local gardening clubs or online forums where like-minded folks share tips and job leads. These communities can often clue you in on upcoming vacancies. Remember, people in these groups often work in the industry and can help us get our foot in the door at places like Squire's Garden Centres.
✨Show Off Your Green Thumb
Consider creating a public portfolio showcasing your gardening projects, designs, or any unique plants you've cultivated. A well-documented journey through your horticulture experiences can make you stand out when chasing full-time roles. It’s basically your way of shouting, 'Look at what I can do!' to potential employers.
✨Apply Early and Often!
The horticulture field can be competitive, especially for full-time roles. Keep an eye on seasonal hiring trends and don’t hesitate to apply as soon as positions open up. Check out our website regularly for openings at Squire's Garden Centres; staying ahead of the game can give us the edge we need.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Garden Centre Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Green Thumb:In horticulture, it's all about showcasing your hands-on experience. Make sure your CV highlights any relevant gardening, landscaping, or plant care roles you've held. Also, don’t forget to mention any specific skills like plant identification or pest management that make you a great fit for the position at Squire's Garden Centres.
Include Certifications and Training:If you've got any horticulture-related certifications, such as in organic gardening or landscape design, be sure to include them. This will set you apart from other applicants and show that you’re committed to expanding your knowledge in the field, which is crucial for a full-time role like Assistant Garden Centre Manager.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter should reflect not just your passion for plants but also how your experience aligns with what Squire's Garden Centres is looking for. Share specific examples of projects you've worked on or challenges you've overcome in previous horticultural roles to demonstrate your suitability for the full-time position.
Be Ready to Talk Numbers:When applying for a full-time role in horticulture, it's helpful to quantify your achievements. Did you increase crop yields or reduce waste in a previous job? Highlight these metrics in your CV to give hiring managers at Squire's Garden Centres a clear picture of your capabilities!
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire's Garden Centres
✨Get to Know Your Plants
Brush up on your plant knowledge! Be prepared to discuss specific species, their growth requirements, and potential pests. Remember, the role involves practical horticultural skills – so don’t be shy about sharing your hands-on experience with various plants and gardening techniques.
✨Show Off Your Portfolio
If you've worked on garden designs, landscaping projects, or community gardens, bring along a portfolio showcasing your work. Visuals speak a thousand words, and this will help us see your creativity and practical skills in action. Plus, don’t forget to have a few stories about challenges you faced and how you overcame them!
✨Be Ready for a Plant Quiz
Prepare for some technical questions related to horticulture! We may ask you about soil types, plant propagation methods, or pest management strategies. This helps us assess your depth of knowledge and problem-solving skills – so don’t skip the revision!
✨Passion for Sustainability
Horticulture often revolves around sustainability practices, so be ready to discuss any experience you have with eco-friendly gardening methods or sustainable designs. This role at Squire's Garden Centres might have a focus on environmental impact, so showing your commitment could set you apart from other candidates.
