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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the Horticultural team and ensure excellent customer service.
- Company: Join Squire’s, a family-owned garden centre group dedicated to employee happiness since 1936.
- Benefits: Enjoy 50% restaurant discounts, generous holiday, and a bonus scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, energetic team that values customer satisfaction and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Retail experience or horticultural qualifications with a passion for customer service required.
- Other info: Flexible hours, learning opportunities, and special perks like birthday leave and child school support.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 ÂŁ per year.
Overview
Your primary responsibility will be to provide a management support to Horticultural team, with customer service at the forefront of everything you achieve.
Working closely with the Plant Manager to help the Garden Centre to succeed.
Rota: Full time, 40hrs, Wednesdays off with alternate weekend working
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 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.
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Contact Detail:
Squire's Garden Centres Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific plants and products that Squire’s offers. Visit their garden centres, engage with staff, and take note of customer interactions to understand what makes their customer service stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your passion for horticulture by participating in local gardening events or workshops. This not only enhances your knowledge but also demonstrates your commitment to the field, which can be a great talking point during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former employees of Squire’s through platforms like LinkedIn. They can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can help you tailor your approach when applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss how you would handle customer service scenarios during your interview. Think of examples from your past experiences where you exceeded customer expectations, as this aligns with Squire’s ethos of 'nothing is too much trouble for our customers'.
We think you need these skills to ace Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in retail and horticulture. Emphasise any relevant qualifications and your passion for customer service, as these are key aspects of the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your enthusiasm for the position. Mention specific experiences where you've excelled in customer service or managed stock levels effectively, aligning with the job description.
Showcase Your Team Management Skills: In your application, provide examples of how you've trained or monitored a team in previous roles. Highlight your ability to lead and motivate others, which is crucial for this position.
Demonstrate Your Knowledge: Include any specific knowledge you have about horticulture or retail bedding departments. This could be through previous work experience or relevant courses, showing that you understand the industry and can contribute effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Squire's Garden Centres
✨Show Your Passion for Horticulture
Make sure to express your enthusiasm for plants and gardening during the interview. Share any relevant experiences or qualifications you have in horticulture, as this will demonstrate your commitment to the role and the company’s values.
✨Emphasise Customer Service Skills
Since customer service is a key focus for the position, be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've provided excellent service in previous roles. Highlight your ability to handle queries and complaints with courtesy and professionalism.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Abilities
As you'll be training and monitoring a team, it's important to showcase your leadership skills. Talk about any past experiences where you've successfully led a team or managed a project, and how you motivated others to achieve their goals.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Come equipped with thoughtful questions about the position and the company. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can contribute to the success of the Garden Centre.
