JOB DESCRIPTION
The Merchandiser and Sales Representative is an outside sales position situated in a retail garden centre and is responsible for the merchandising and promotion of TSC Nursery Sales live goods products. The lead merchandiser and sales rep at the Langley location will provide an exceptional level of customer service and support to our customers while working efficiently and effectively in the best interests of the nursery. This includes but is not limited to maintaining our products and ensuring display areas represent TSC Nursery Sales and their vendor partners in a creative, professional and well-maintained appearance at all times.
Do you have a strong background in sales? Do you have a horticultural or gardening background? Do you thrive while working outdoors? Do you enjoy working independently? Are you skilled at communications and nurturing rapport with colleagues? We are keen to talk with you!
This seasonal (February through to November) position is an interesting and fulfilling opportunity for the right candidate. It offers an array of opportunities to acquire and/or further develop skills relating to sales, retail operations, customer relations, and horticulture. This position offers a unique blend of both a physical and mental workout. There is also a balanced requirement for working independently and as a team member. This is a very physical job! The ability to plan, organize, and meet deadlines is vital. Reliability and commitment are essential.
We offer generous wages, above the industry standard rates and offer a performance bonus at year end and other perks through the season. This position is typically from mid-February/early March through to mid-October/early November. The weekly hours can range from 0 to 50, depending on time of year, weather, and on sales. The peak season (and busiest time) is March through July. The months of February, August, September and October are quieter.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
MERCHANDISING & OUTSIDE SALES
Merchandising product in accordance with plan-o-grams, using established best practices for creating inviting and highly saleable displays of nursery products.
Merchandising can include:
- Unloading plants from shipping racks onto benches and pallets
- Pushing / pulling shipping racks through garden centre sales areas
- Utilizing various merchandising techniques (e.g., colour blocking) to create engaging retail displays
- Ensuring retail prices are clearly posted
- Clearing, condensing, and moving products to make room for new shipments of plants in the garden centre sales areas
- Culling, cleaning, and dead-heading plants to ensure plants are always attractive and saleable
- Assessing if plants are being watered effectively and following up with management if retail associates have not been watering
- Replenishing product that supports sales targets
- Photographing the display areas and your creative work throughout the garden centre
Sales activities will also include:
- promoting our products to landscape professionals
- responding to retail customers’ and store management’s special requests for additional items and/or different varieties of plants
- reporting to the TSC Regional Manager when / if any product inventories are low.
TIME MANAGEMENT & REPORTING
- Signing in and out (digitally) when visiting the retail garden centre
- Using the Basecamp app each day: engaging in consistent, effective and timely communication (i.e., requests, confirmations, queries, photos, etc.) with TSC Regional Manager and nursery administration team
- Meeting deadlines and assigned timelines for completing tasks; planning your work in advance each day/week
- Reporting hours worked digitally each workday
CUSTOMER RELATIONS & PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS
- Developing a working rapport with the store managers and assistant store managers on each visit
- Fostering a productive relationship with store staff, including retail associates
- Assisting retail garden centre customers with plant-related questions on occasion
- Promoting TSC Nursery at all times in a professional, responsive, and co-operative light while working in the garden centre
- Reaching out to the TSC Regional Manager with any questions, concerns, suggestions and successes
- Being reliable, responsible, and approachable so that problem solving skills can be used effectively
- Training and supervising assistants and helpers when/if required
QUALIFICATIONS
TECH PROFICIENCY: High level of comfort using Smartphone and app's effectively is required.
Note: we will train you on 2 app's/platforms: Basecamp and a digital time system.
MS Office Suite is an asset.
MERCHANDISING: previous merchandising experience is a definite asset.
PLANT IDENTIFICATION: basic knowledge of plant identification is an asset but not essential.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Must be able to lift 50 lbs alone or team lift up to 100 lbs.
- Must own a smartphone and be proficient with basic app’s
- Must be available to start work at 7AM Monday to Friday
- Must own and wear SAFETY TOE BOOTS AT ALL TIMES when in the garden centre.
- Must be able/willing to work OUTDOORS during hot sunny weather and cool rainy days.
- Must have reliable transportation to/from the retail garden centre; including appropriate vehicle insurance.
- Must be able to work independently and as a team member.
- Must observe and follow safety protocol at all times.
- Must be able to communicate effectively: verbally, written (email/text/other app's), and visually through photos and merchandising displays.
- Must be living within a 30-40 minute drive of Nanaimo, BC.
- Must enjoy working with the public.
- Must have a proven track record of successfully collaborating with colleagues.
- Must be able to solve problems by devising workable solutions.
- Must be able to calmly pivot and smoothly adapt to changing circumstances (e.g., a rare delay of delivery)
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal
Benefits:
- Financial incentives to be discussed during hiring process
- Free parking
- Casual dress
Pay: $23.00-$25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- What type of transportation would you use to get to work?
- How many years of plant knowledge do you possess?
- How do you keep fit? What sports do you play? What outdoor activities do you pursue?
Experience:
- retail: 2 years (required)
- customer service: 2 years (required)
- merchandising: 2 years (required)
- Time management: 2 years (required)
- Supervisory: 2 years (required)
Language:
- Must be fluent in English (required)
Work Location: In person
