Plants - Assistant Plant Area Manager

Squire's Garden Centres; Hare Hatch; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Discount

Holiday benefit

Non-contractual bonus

Defined Contribution Pension Plan

Learning & Development opportunities

Job summary

Squire's Garden Centres in Hare Hatch is seeking a motivated individual to provide management support for the Horticultural team, ensuring exceptional customer service and stock management.

The role requires expertise in retail bedding and a passion for horticulture. Enjoy competitive benefits including employee discounts, a pension plan, and various rewards for outstanding performance.

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge and experience of working in a retail bedding department.
• A passion for customer service in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide management support to the Horticultural team.
• Maintain good control over stock levels.
• Train and monitor your team.

Skills

Customer service

Retail management

Horticultural knowledge

Education

Horticultural qualification

Job description

Job Description

Posted Thursday 9 April 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 are 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.

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.