Careers - Squire's Garden Centres

Careers at Squire's

At Squire’s we know that it’s our people who make the Company successful. Since 1936 the purpose of our business has been the happiness of those who work in it. Both our employees and our customers are extremely important to us.

Many of our employees have worked for the business for a number of years. They’re interested in what they sell and have excellent product knowledge. All of our employees are trained on products, sales and service.

It is important to us that our employees know that.

  • They are working for a successful business, that their work is worthwhile and satisfying.
  • They are respected and valued, whoever they are and wherever they work.

We want our employees to be known for their friendliness, helpfulness and good customer service, with their whole ethos being ‘nothing is too much trouble for our customers’.

No matter which area of the business you join you will find there are plenty of opportunities to learn new skills and develop a rewarding career.

Squire’s is a family owned group of 16 garden centres based in Surrey, Sussex, Middlesex and Berkshire. We are committed to growing our business and to promoting the highest standards in horticultural retailing. We want our staff to enjoy working with us in a friendly, energetic customer focused environment.

Our employees work hard to deliver a high standard of service to all of our customers. Our package of benefits is designed to reward our employees for their efforts and to help us attract, motivate and retain the best people in the garden centre industry.

Pay – We regularly check our salaries against other similar retailers to make sure we are competitive. We review our employee’s basic pay annually.

Bonus – We reward our employees with a non-contractual bonus at Christmas, based on the profit of the company in any financial year (first year is dependent on start date).

Employee discount – 50% in Restaurants and 20% in the Garden Centre on joining, increasing to 25% after 2 year’s service and 30% after 5 year’s service.

Pension – We are all aware of how important it is to save for our retirement. We offer a Defined Contribution Pension Plan to new employees. If you pay into the plan and meet the government criteria, the company will too, and these contributions will be invested.

Holiday (including bank holidays) – 5.6 weeks on joining increasing to 6.2 week after 2 year’s service and 6.6 weeks after 5 year’s service.

Long service awards – The company acknowledges long service and commitment from our employees with a small token of appreciation and a long service badge.

Attendance – Our employees with 100% attendance in a financial year, are rewarded with Squire’s gift vouchers.

Axa health plan – Our employees have the opportunity to join the Axa health plan scheme which includes different levels of cover to choose from. The Axa plan helps with the cost of health treatment and services which include dental, optical, chiropody, reflexology and acupuncture.

Childcare voucher – We operate our scheme through Fair Care, where the employee can apply for childcare vouchers that are exempt from tax and NI which allows the employee to save money and put this towards their childcare costs.

Subsidised menu – We offer a reduced menu for all employees during their working hours which offer good food at reasonable prices.

Free parking – Available to all employees in the designated parking areas on our sites.

Celebrations – Centres are given funding at Christmas to celebrate with colleagues. There are many occasions when we send flowers to our staff, such as retirements and births etc. We also like to thank our staff if we have had an exceptionally busy period or for working over and above their job role in various ways such as; with champagne, cakes, Easter eggs and roses.

Made A Difference Scheme (M.A.D) – A reward scheme for team members who make a difference to our business through; outstanding customer service, over and above normal duties or initiatives that have grown / inspired the business. There is a monthly winner who can choose between receiving Squire’s vouchers for themselves or a donation to a registered charity of their choice.

View all winners here

We want our employees to enjoy their work and feel that they have all the skills they need to do their job to the best of their ability.At Squire’s we believe that everyone has the capacity to learn and grow. From first-class hands-on Horticultural training in conjunction with RHS Wisley to E-learning courses with over 50 modules.

You can look forward to a wealth of learning opportunities with us that will enhance and develop you with the skills and confidence you need.

When you join us, you will receive an induction that will help you settle into your team, giving you an understanding of the company and your role, leaving you feeling passionate, inspired and excited about your career with us.

As horticulture is fundamentally important to our business, in 2014 we launched our horticultural apprenticeship scheme; ‘Grow Our Own’, so that we can train and nurture employees that work in our plant area, giving them the necessary skills and knowledge to advise customers. Apprentices in horticulture lead exciting and varied working lives and are in high demand.Click here for more information

RHS Membership – we offer all our apprentices free student membership while studying their RHS qualifications.

https://www.rhs.org.uk/membership/rhs-student-membership

 

Steven Guy – Plant Area Senior Sales Assistant – Squire’s Twickenham

 

 

I have worked for Squires for 20 years, initially as a Houseplant Supervisor then for the last 7 years in the plant area where I have the responsibility for looking after many of my favourite kinds of plants in particular hardy perennials, ferns, alpines and roses.

The seasonality of many of the plants as well as their sheer variety makes for interesting work.

More recently, I have been involved with running the gardening workshop days which allows me to pass on my plant knowledge to customers and teach them on a number of topics which I always enjoy.

I also carry out talks and demonstrations for local groups on behalf of Squires which I find rewarding.

 

Sandy Cooley-Brown – Plant Area Assistant Manager – Squire’s Long Ditton

 

 

Having decided on a career change after 27 years in banking I began studying for my RHS Certificate Level 2 in Horticulture whilst still working full time. After qualifying I was delighted to be able to resign and join Squires as a Tree and Shrub Assistant at our West Horsley centre in 2008.

After 6 months of working at Squires, I moved to the Woking centre in a dual role of Assistant Manager and Plant Area Department Head. I then worked at the Long Ditton and the Badshot Lea centre.

I am now the Plant Area Department Head at our Cobham centre which Squires acquired in 2011.

Not only do I love working outside with plants but also love dealing with people and promoting high levels of customer service to ensure that customers leave with all the correct knowledge and plants that they require.

The winning combination of people and plants has helped me achieve a high level of job satisfaction in an environment in which you never stop learning!

Vacancies

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