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, bonuses, and a pension plan.
- Other info: Special perks include birthday leave, child school support, and a cycle-to-work scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of a friendly, energetic environment that values customer service and personal growth.
- Qualifications: Retail experience or horticultural qualifications with a passion for customer service required.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
Job Description
Posted Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 00:00
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 to 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.
- Flexible, enthusiastic and highly motivated, commercially aware and capable of creating dynamic displays.
Squire’s is a family‑owned group of 17 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire, committed to the highest standards in horticulture, catering and retail.
Rewards & Benefits
We wish our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness and good customer service, with a whole ethos of ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers.’ In turn we provide an extensive benefit package.
- 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 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 or inspired the business. There is a monthly winner; all winners select a gift to receive.
- Learning & Development – A wealth of learning opportunities 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 offering 25% to 39% saving on new cycling equipment. This cost is deducted from your pay over 12 or 19 months.
- Child's first day at school – After 1 year’s service, you can 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 that day.
- RHS Membership or a Tree / Shrub – After 1 year’s service, 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 can join an EAP, providing access to a range of wellbeing resources.
- 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 Chertsey 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 Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager in Chertsey
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in horticulture and retail management. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the industry.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current employees or professionals in the horticultural field. Engaging in conversations can provide insights into the company culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've excelled in customer service roles. Highlighting your ability to exceed customer expectations will resonate well with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills by discussing any experience you have in training or managing teams. This is crucial for the Assistant Plant Area Manager role, as you'll need to support and motivate your team effectively.
We think you need these skills to ace Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager in Chertsey
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:In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the position and the company. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to manage stock levels and train a team effectively.
Showcase Customer Service Skills:Provide examples of how you've exceeded customer service expectations in previous roles. This could include handling complaints or generating sales through customer interactions.
Highlight Flexibility and Motivation:Discuss your ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and your motivation to contribute positively to the team. Mention any instances where you've created dynamic displays or improved processes.
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.
✨Highlight Customer Service Skills
Since customer service is a key focus for the position, prepare examples of how you've gone above and beyond for customers in previous roles. This will show that you understand the importance of exceeding customer expectations.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership Abilities
Be ready to discuss your experience in training and managing teams. Highlight specific instances where you successfully led a team or improved team performance, as this aligns with the responsibilities of supporting the Horticultural team.
✨Prepare Questions About the Role
Have a few thoughtful questions ready to ask the interviewer about the role and the company culture. This shows your genuine interest in the position and helps you assess if it's the right fit for you.
