Sales Assistant

**HORTICULTURAL SALES ASSISTANT**

**Position Purpose**

Responsible for providing the highest level of customer service, demonstrating exceptional product/ horticultural knowledge, and building strong customer relationships that result in increased sales and repeat business. Horticultural Sales Assistants are also accountable for the ongoing care, maintenance, and upkeep of all horticultural elements of the business. On occasion you may be required to work in our retail shop.

**Role Requirements**
- Responsible for providing the highest level of customer service, demonstrating exceptional product/ horticultural knowledge, and building strong customer relationships that result in increased sales and repeat business.
- Passionate about plants and communicating a love of plants and gardening to our customers, experienced and novice gardeners alike.
- Practical gardening experience or volunteer work.
- Friendly, approachable, and an open manner.
- Able to work in a challenging environment, dealing with customers, dealing with stock and maintaining high horticultural standards in this unique environment.
- RHS level 2 qualification preferred.
- Relevant retail experience required.

**Sales & Service**
- Be dynamic and enthusiastic in your approach to maximising sales opportunities according to the Retail Operations Guide.
- Approach customers and initiate a conversation.
- Increase sales by selecting products to meet customer needs highlighting the features and benefits of the product, as well

as offering related products.
- Give accurate and current information about the product; if the correct information is not at hand, do everything possible to provide an answer before the customer leaves.
- Participate in regular training and briefing sessions.
- Handle refunds graciously and turn them into sales opportunities.
- Increase the customer base by encouraging inclusion in Company database.
- Direct customers throughout the Nursery or to the specific area the customer requests at all times, even when going on breaks.
- Understand and properly execute all systems and POS procedures to ensure quick sales transactions.
- Ensure you are visible to customers and easily location at all times, especially on busier days.

**Merchandise & Operations**
- Assist with care and maintenance of stock, ensuring that it follows the set standards. This includes plant stock maintenance, care, watering.
- Ensuring all displays are kept in immaculate condition.
- Ensure all stock is ticketed and priced.
- Liaise with your Manager/s, suggesting alternative locations for products and provide feedback through customers’ comments.
- Assist in weekly stock counts and rotation of perishable goods.
- Replenish stock including assisting with the receipt of new deliveries.
- Assist with (annual/ bi-annual) Stock Takes.
- Ensure security procedures are followed in order to prevent theft.
- Keep stock, stock rooms, till points and fixtures, fittings and merchandise clean and tidy.

**Personal Contribution**
- Maintain a good awareness of plant seasonality and what is going on in the nursery/ garden centre industry.
- Proactively develop your horticultural knowledge to be able to confidently assist and advise customer.
- Keep up to date of ongoing issues and developments within the Company by reading the Petersham Nurseries Website, Newsletters and other Company information.
- Adhere to Company dress code, attendance and time keeping standards.
- Adhere to Company Health and Safety Policy and Code of Conduct Standards.

**Other**
- Available to work weekends, occasional evenings and regular bank holidays.
- On occasion you may be required to work in our retail shop.
- Work as part of a team by sharing selling support duties and demonstrating flexibility with regard to hours/ days of work.
- Assist staff in maintaining a tidy clean workplace including the set up and breakdown of workshops and events.
- Able to stand for extended periods of time._ _

INDRETAIL