Cafe jobs in Lymington SO41

Outdoor Plant Supervisor

Reports to: Operations Manager

Direct reports: Staff assigned to the outdoor plant area, as directed.

Role overview

The Outdoor Plant Supervisor is responsible for the day-to-day operation, presentation and performance of Shallowmead’s outdoor plant area. This is a practical, hands-on role involving plant care, customer service, stock handling, merchandising and outdoor work throughout the year. The supervisor will work alongside other team members while also providing direction, training and support to staff working within the plant area (when assigned). There will also be times when the role holder will be working alone.

Strong practical horticultural knowledge is essential. The role holder must be able to identify a broad range of garden plants and confidently advise customers on selection, planting, positioning, care and suitability.

Main responsibilities

• Provide knowledgeable, practical and approachable horticultural advice to customers.
• Help customers choose plants suitable for their garden, soil, position and level of experience.
• Maintain the health, quality and presentation of plants throughout the outdoor sales area.
• Organise and undertake watering, feeding, pruning, deadheading, cleaning and other routine plant-care work.
• Identify signs of poor plant health, pests, diseases, watering problems or damage and take appropriate action within company procedures.
• Work outdoors alongside the team in all normal weather conditions.
• Allocate work and provide day-to-day direction to staff when assigned to the plant area.
• Train and support colleagues in plant care, watering, customer service and departmental procedures.
• Create attractive seasonal displays that encourage sales and make plants easy for customers to find.
• Ensure plants are correctly labelled, priced and positioned.
• Monitor plant quality, stock levels, sales, wastage and seasonal requirements.
• Work with the Operations Manager to select ranges, plan quantities, raise purchase orders and place orders with approved suppliers.
• Receive and inspect plant deliveries, checking quality, quantity, labelling and condition.
• Ensure new deliveries are watered, priced and moved into appropriate locations promptly.
• Maintain accurate stock records and assist with stock counts.
• Report on sales performance, plant losses, stock requirements and other departmental activity.
• Maintain safe, tidy and accessible customer, storage and working areas.
• Ensure that hoses, irrigation equipment, trolleys, tools and other equipment are used and stored safely.
• Follow health and safety, manual-handling, plant-health, fire safety and security procedures.
• Support the wider retail operation and assist other departments when reasonably required.

Skills and experience

Essential

• Good practical horticultural knowledge, including confident identification of a broad range of garden plants.
• The ability to give customers clear and reliable advice on plant selection and care.
• Previous experience of working with plants in a garden centre, nursery, landscaping or similar horticultural environment.
• Previous supervisory, senior retail or equivalent experience.
• A hands-on approach and willingness to undertake physical and routine plant-care work.
• The ability to lead by example and work constructively with colleagues.
• Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of presentation, stock availability, seasonal demand and wastage.
• The ability to work independently, prioritise tasks and respond to changing weather and plant-care requirements.
• Reasonable computer skills.
• A friendly, confident and helpful approach to customers.
• A reliable and flexible attitude and a strong work ethic.

Desirable

• Experience of EPOS systems would be helpful, although training will be provided.
• A recognised horticultural qualification would be an advantage, but equivalent practical knowledge and experience will also be considered.

The role involves working outdoors throughout the year, together with standing, walking, bending and the safe movement of plants and other stock. Reasonable adjustments will be considered where appropriate.

This description outlines the main responsibilities of the role. The Outdoor Plant Supervisor may be asked to undertake other reasonable duties appropriate to the position.

Pay: £10.85-£13.93 per hour

Benefits:

• Discounted or free food
• Employee discount
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person