Plantarea & Operations Assistant
From horticruitment
Working For: Horticruitment
Plantarea & Operations Assistant Required
Job Ref: B999
Our client is a family-run business that has been serving the local community for nearly 40 years. Initially starting with a small selection of bedding plants, the centre has grown into a popular destination for garden enthusiasts, offering a wide variety of carefully curated plants, stylish garden accessories, and giftware. Known for its friendly, community-focused atmosphere, The Barn emphasizes excellent customer service and attention to detail. They are now looking for a Plantarea and Operations Assistant to assist with the success of the centre.
The business is thriving as is the aim of ensuring it remains ahead of the competition in this niche market. This is a rare opportunity for candidates to showcase their talent in a friendly and supportive environment on a long-term permanent basis. Applicants for this opportunity must be vibrant and enthusiastic with a genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service. The role of a Plantarea and Operations Assistant involves a combination of operational, customer service, and leadership development responsibilities, with room for management progression.
Key Responsibilities:
Plant Care and Display Maintenance:
- Oversee the health and presentation of plants in the Plantarea, ensuring they are well-maintained, watered, pruned, and arranged to appeal to customers.
- Monitor stock levels, replenish products, and create eye-catching displays that follow seasonal trends or special promotions.
Stock Handling and Forklift Operation:
- With forklift licence desirable, appropriate training can be provided by the client.
- Unload deliveries, move large items such as pallets of plants, compost, garden furniture, and other stock safely.
- Assist with organising storage areas and ensure the efficient flow of stock between storage and sales areas.
- Conduct daily checks and routine maintenance of the forklift and other relevant equipment to ensure health and safety standards are upheld.
Customer Service and Sales:
- Interact with customers, offering plant care advice, suggesting suitable products, and assisting with large or bulky purchases.
- Upsell complementary products such as fertilisers, pots, tools, and other garden-related accessories.
- Handle customer complaints or inquiries professionally, ensuring a positive shopping experience.
Operational Support:
- Support daily operational tasks such as managing garden centre facilities, ensuring cleanliness, and overseeing stock accuracy.
- Participate in stocktaking and inventory control, ensuring all plants and garden products are well-accounted for and in the correct condition.
Health and Safety:
- Ensure all operational activities, including forklift usage and manual handling, comply with health and safety regulations.
- Keep pathways clear, assist in identifying hazards, and maintain a safe environment for customers and staff alike.
This role offers excellent opportunities for advancement into management. As a Plantarea and Operations Assistant, you will:
Develop Leadership Skills: Begin to take on supervisory roles, helping to manage junior staff, delegate tasks, and oversee sections of the garden centre.
Expand Responsibilities: Demonstrating initiative and skill could lead to overseeing larger portions of the centre’s operations, including leading specific departments or teams.
Operational Decision-Making: In time, the role can evolve to include input on operational improvements, stock ordering, or contributing to garden centre strategies.
Pathway to Management: With dedication, this position could lead to roles such as Plantarea Supervisor, Operations Manager, or Assistant Garden Centre Manager, offering opportunities to influence the direction of the centre, manage staff, and play a key role in business decisions.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Forklift License desirable but not essential – training can be provided.
- Horticultural Knowledge: Experience or a passion for plants and their care is critical.
- Customer Service: Strong communication skills to engage with customers.
- Team Leadership: Willingness to take on leadership roles as part of career progression.
- Health and Safety Awareness: Understanding of regulations, particularly in stock handling and forklift operations.
This position is ideal for someone looking to build a long-term career in horticulture, with excellent opportunities to advance into management within the garden centre environment.
If you have experience in any of the following areas, we would like to hear from you.
- Nursery Manager
- Nursery Supervisor
- Nursery Team Leader
- Plantarea Assistant/Supervisor
- Plantarea Assistant Manager.
If this Plantarea & Operations Assistant vacancy is of interest, please apply or contact Sophie Sharpe on 01233 732767 or Sophie@horticruitment.com
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Thank you for the interest you have shown in this Centre Manager vacancy. Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications that we receive, it is not possible to respond to every one. Therefore, unless you hear from us within the next 14 days, your application for this Centre Manager vacancy will have been unsuccessful.