---

Job description

Assistant Manager - Gardening & Seasonal. The role of the Assistant Manager is to support the Garden Centre Manager in the overall running of the Centre. The jobholder is responsible for their allocated department, Gardening (Fertilisers, Chemicals & garden accessories) and Seasonal (Furniture, BBQs, Christmas Trees & Lights). The job holder will hold responsibility of acting up on behalf of the Garden Centre Manager during periods of absence.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the smooth running of the centre when the Garden Centre Manager is absent, dealing with customer and staff issues as they arise e.g. customer complaints, staff sickness.
• Assist the Garden Centre Manager as required with opening & locking up, ensuring the centre is presentable and customer ready. This includes details such as Lighting, Heating, Ventilation and Music and that the site is secure and safe.
• Assist with cash handling & safe drops, rotas and any HR issues as they arise such as interviews and reviews.
• Oversee the Gardening & Seasonal team and actively take part in the running of this department. This includes the day to day running of the department, ensuring excellent customer service is delivered by the team and that all stock is merchandised.
• Responsible for incoming and outgoing deliveries and dealing with customer issues and problems.
• Participate and lead staff training, ensuring that your team are communicated with, motivated and are productive and happy at all times.
• Ensure all areas are safe clean and presentable for both customers and staff.
• Provide assistance to the till area, to include serving customers on the tills as and when required.
• Assist with department stock take and price checks as required.
• Follow direction and instruction given by Group Managers.
• Responsible for completing daily or weekly reports as required.
• Perform any other duties as may reasonably be required from time-to-time.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Previous experience of working in a similar retail or hospitality management role.
• Experience in using an EPOS system ‘Opsuite’, general till systems & cash handling.
• Flexibility required with working days, required to work Saturday each week & holiday cover.
• Experience in merchandising, price checking & dealing with errors.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to use initiative.
• Good working knowledge of computers to include Microsoft Office, and Internet Apps.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time and undertake tasks which require bending, stooping, lifting and carrying stock.

Desirable Skills

• Knowledge of Outdoor Living & seasonal departments such as Furniture, BBQs & Christmas.
• Interest in Gardening & Outdoor Living.
• Active line management experience e.g. staff management, performance management.