Gardening jobs in Rayleigh

Plant Area Expert

Full-time (working four week days and one alternate weekend day)

Hourly Rate £13.91 - £14.32 per hour

Company Overview

Buckhatch is our newest garden centre, and we are looking to expand the team to ensure that our high-quality plants always look their best. We create inspiring displays that help our customers purchase, thereby increasing sales.

We are looking for someone who can combine an impressive knowledge of plants & gardening AND excellent customer service skills. You must have experience of both to progress to interview.

You will mostly be working outside or in greenhouses/polytunnels – moving and displaying plants, plant care & maintenance. We are looking for motivated individuals who can follow instructions and communicate with customers. You will support our mission to offer a memorable garden centre experience; delivering wow customer service and giving employees, customers, suppliers and the community a reason to smile.

Rewards and Benefits

In addition to your hourly pay, you will receive the following benefits:

• Discount – From the start of your employment you will receive 10% discount on specific items. Following a successful probation period, the discount increases up to 20% discount on specific items and after one year’s service up to 40% discount on specific items. (some exceptions apply) Paid holiday – holiday entitlement is 22 days per year, plus bank holidays. Restrictions apply
• Annual Christmas bonus
• Part-uniform provided
• Employee Assistance Programme - a confidential personal and professional support service available to all employees and their immediate families 24/7, 365 days a year.
• Training & development, as required. We have an e-learning scheme called GROW, and also take part in other training with product suppliers and external trainers
• Company sick pay – following a successful probation period employees are entitled to 10 days paid sickness (part-time pro rata and subject to restrictions)
• Access to our Retail Discount Scheme – savings on retailers including Tesco, Pizza Express, M&S, Waitrose, Argos, Apple, Currys PC World, Thomas Cook and 100’s more
• Workplace pension
• Free parking

Key duties

• You will take responsibility for specific plant categories, under guidance from your Manager
• You will undertake daily watering and stocking up of the outdoor and indoor plant areas.
• You will create dynamic displays, which encourage customer sales.
• You will confidently answer customer queries, and be knowledgeable about planting combinations and looking after plants.
• Assist with the building of displays and picking customer orders.
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the garden centre and stock areas.
• You will assist with other plant categories as the need arises, and will support Plant Area Assistants to complete their tasks in the absence of a Plant Area Manager
• When needed, you will assist in other areas of the business and nursery production.
• Receiving of deliveries and stock transfers.
• Maintain healthy plant stock.

Your capabilities

• Good plant/horticulture knowledge essential- whether that’s in the form of a relevant qualification, experience of working in a garden centre, plant retail or similar environment.
• Good verbal communication skills, and customer service skills, confident in dealing with members of the public.
• Ability to give instructions to Plant Area Assistants on plant care, maintenance and watering.
• Able to follow instructions from your managers, and work on your own initiative.

Requirements

• You’ll need to work four week days and one alternate weekend day
• You’ll need to work Bank holidays
• As part of this role when assisting in bedding plant department you will be required to wear gloves (Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE) when handling certain crops which may be for large parts of the day

'Join us at Perrywood Garden Centre as our Plant Area Expert and help cultivate a greener future! If you have a passion for plants and enjoy sharing your knowledge with others, we’d love to hear from you. Embark on this rewarding jorney with us—where your expertise can truly blossom.'

Pay: £13.91-£14.32 per hour

Benefits:

• Free parking
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person