As an Outdoor Sales Associate, you play a key role in ensuring the department maintains excellent customer service, proper plant care, and visual merchandising standards.
Swan Lake Market is a long standing community market with a high quality reputation. The Outdoor Department is comprised of annuals, perennials, trees & shrubs.
The successful candidate will have primary experience in garden center customer service & sales, and working knowledge and experience with plants. We are looking for a career candidate, excited to become part of our community.
Must be available for an in-person interview.
Must be available to work Saturdays a/o Sundays periodically.
Must be fluent with the English language.
Responsibilities: as set out by Management
Plant Care Duties:
- Watering Plants: Ensure that all plants, flowers, trees, and shrubs are properly watered according to their needs.
- Pruning & Trimming: Prune plants and remove dead leaves to keep plants healthy and attractive.
- Fertilizing Plants: Apply fertilizers to plants as needed, according to schedules.
- Pest Management: Monitor plants for signs of pests or diseases and recommend treatments and apply when instructed.
- Organizing Plants: Ensure that plants are displayed neatly and are easy for customers to view and access.
- Inventory Management: Assist with unloading shipments and displaying of plants as instructed by management. Keep track of plant stock and inform Management.
- Plant Labeling: Ensure plants are labeled with proper names, care instructions, and prices.
- Arranging Displays: Help design and set up attractive plant displays for daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal promotions a/or specials.
Customer Service Duties:
- Greeting Customers: Welcome customers as they enter the Garden Centre a/o Market Store and offer assistance as needed.
- Product Knowledge: Provide customers with information about plants, gardening tools, fertilizers, and other products.
- Assist with Plant Selection: Help customers select the appropriate plants based on their gardening needs, location, and preferences.
- Offer Recommendations: Suggest additional products such as soil, fertilizer, planters, watering tools, and garden decor etc.
- Address Customer Inquiries: Answer any questions customers may have about products, plant care, or garden-related issues, including finding other areas within the Market Store.
- Problem Resolution: Seek out Management and or handle any customer complaints or issues in a professional and courteous manner.
- Provide Expert Advice: Offer gardening tips, including planting, pruning, and seasonal care advice. Seek out information when necessary.
- Promotions & Discounts: Encourage and Communicate to customers to take advantage of loyalty programs (memberships), specials, discounts, promotions, workshops, and events when applicable.
Cashier Duties:
- Process Transactions: Operate the point-of-sale (POS) system, process payments, and provide receipts for customers.
- Handling Returns/Exchanges: Follow Swan Lake Market & Garden policies.
- Provide Excellent Checkout Experience: Ensure a quick and efficient checkout process while maintaining a friendly demeanor.
Customer Assistance & Carry-Out Service:
- Assist with Loading Purchases: Offer assistance and help in loading purchased plants, heavy or bulky items, such as large plants, bags of soil, or garden furniture, into their vehicles.
- Provide Product Instructions: Offer guidance on how to transport plants, including tips on how to protect them during transit.
Additional Responsibilities:
- Stock Management: Assist with unloading of deliveries. Restock shelves with inventory ensuring that products are well-organized and visible.
- Maintain Grounds Cleanliness: Ensure all outdoor garden centre areas and grounds and pathways are kept safe and clean, free of debris (garbage etc), and organized, including sweeping, dusting, and tidying displays.
- Safety & Compliance: Ensure when handling tools, equipment, chemicals, plants, and materials are used, stored, and displayed in compliance with health and safety regulations and Swan Lake Policies..
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with other team members to ensure a smooth operation, especially during busy times like weekends or seasonal sales.
Seasonal Tasks: Assist with seasonal tasks such as setting up seasonal & holiday displays, promotions, and special events.
Qualifications:
- 2+yrs Garden Centre Sales experience and or technical horticultural degree and an ability to demonstrate your knowledge and creativity
- 5+yrs of retail customer sales experience
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Basic knowledge of inventory management
- Flexibility to working weekends, and holidays as needed.
- Must be able to stand for long periods and lift/unload stock onto high up shelving
- Hospitality experience a plus
Job Types: Full-time, Seasonal
Pay: $18.00-$20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
- On-site parking
- Store discount
- Wellness program
Application question(s):
- Are you available for an in person interview?
Experience:
- Horticulture: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Location:
- Vernon, BC V1B 3W6 (required)
Work Location: In person
