At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Horticultural team and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join a family-owned garden centre with a friendly, energetic vibe.
- Benefits: Enjoy discounts, generous holiday, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Other info: Opportunities for learning and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Make a difference in customer experiences while working with plants.
- Qualifications: Retail experience or horticultural qualification 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 Horticultural team, with customer service at the forefront of everything you achieve. Working closely with the Plant Manager to help the Garden Centre succeed.
Rota: Full time, 40 hours including alternate weekend working.
Main duties and responsibilities:
- Maintain good control over stock levels, including accurate ordering and stock clearance where necessary.
- Train and monitor your team to ensure that stock is cared for appropriately.
- Co‑operate fully with line management and product managers.
- Take responsibility for the whole department in the absence of the manager.
- Ensure all queries and complaints are handled with courtesy and referred where necessary to the manager and product manager.
- Customer Service expectations are exceeded.
- Sales opportunities are generated through interaction with customers.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for people:
- Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department and/or a horticultural qualification.
- A passion for customer service and the ability to thrive in a fast‑paced environment are essential.
- You will be flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and have the ability to create dynamic displays.
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, 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, which 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.
Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager in London employer: Squire's Garden Centres
Squires Garden Centre is an exceptional employer that prioritises the happiness and development of its staff in a friendly, customer-focused environment. With generous benefits including extensive employee discounts, a robust pension plan, and unique perks like the 'Made A Difference' reward scheme, employees are encouraged to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Shepperton, this family-owned garden centre offers a wealth of learning opportunities and a supportive culture that values outstanding customer service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Plants - Assistant Plant Area 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 Plants - Assistant Plant Area 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 Plants - Assistant Plant Area 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.
