Job description: Customer Service/Sales Advisor
We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised and flexible team player to join our friendly office team at Hopes Grove Nurseries on a 1 year contract (with potential to review/extend). We offer £12.60 - £14.00 per hour dependent on relevant experience and subject to a 6 month probation period, with 20 days holiday pro-rata plus Bank Holidays pro-rata. Holiday is generally to be taken in our off peak season April to October. The business closes for two weeks at Christmas, holiday is required to be kept for this. Over-time is paid at 1.5 hourly rate.
The office pace is very seasonal, between 1st October - 30th April it is extremely busy with many hours spent on the phone to customers and supporting with admin to get the orders processed.
In the summer months the office is less busy with orders and the work is more project based, getting prepared for the following busy season or manual outdoors work around the nursery site potting/weeding. Dependent on the business requirements.
Office hours are 8.30am – 5pm (Monday-Fri) 40 hrs per week with half an hour for lunch (unpaid), in the summer months of June, July & August this would drop to 2 working days per week (flexibility on days to suit the individual and the business needs).
In addition, after a successful 6 month probation, the role includes working Sunday afternoons/early evening to process customer web orders (office based or working remotely) during the peak season 1st October to 30th April.
The Customer Service/Sales advisor role is the first point of contact for our customers, so we are looking for someone who is experienced in office work with a methodical approach and loves being on the phone for a large amount of time and communicating in a warm and professional manner with a wide variety of customers. Occasionally some customers can be challenging, and the applicant needs to be comfortable setting their expectations and resolving issues and any complaints calmly and consistently.
You will be required to answer the phone, process orders on our bespoke database, respond to customer emails, assist with labelling the plant boxes and bags for despatch in the warehouse, prepare paperwork for the outside team and maintain accurate office administration files. Organisation and attention to detail is a key part of the role in processing orders and managing customer requirements and expectations.
You will be required to proactively follow up on quotes and source potential new customers through soft sales calls to establish and build relationships to develop and grow our customer base.
The ability to comfortably multi-task and adapt to the daily business needs is vital as we are seasonal, and the business runs in peaks and troughs – every day is different! Yet we also have core procedures to follow to ensure the smooth running of the business.
An interest in plants and horticulture is useful but not essential, what is essential is a team player with a natural warmth and a desire to provide the best service possible to our customers.
Experience in using a computer efficiently and accurately within an office environment is necessary, with experience of databases and Outlook, with Word and Excel an advantage.
Job Type: 1 year contract / full time
8 hour shift
Education:
GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
Office: 4+ years (required)
Customer service: 2 years (required)
Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
Pay: £13.10-£14.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Experience:
- Customer service: 2 years (required)
- Office: 4 years (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
