PERENNIAL TEAM MEMBER

1. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

This position is responsible for the efficient and productive direction of the day-to-day operations in the Perennials Sales Area, creating maximum sales profitability and ensuring that customers who come in contact with the Perennials Sales Area are provided with prompt, professional service and knowledgeable information.

1. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Dispenses current and correct information to customers about the care and planting procedures of plants in the Perennials Sales Area. Advises customers on appropriate garden design techniques
• Oversees the courteous customer service each person receives while shopping in the Perennial Department
• Projects perennial plant retail sales needs, orders plant materials from the Production Greenhouses and vendor sources as necessary and follows up to ensure timely receipt of fresh plant products
• Schedules perennial plant vendor deliveries, accurately checks in all plant materials received and evaluates plant quality
• Communicates with the Production Greenhouses Department to determine daily or weekly availability of perennial plant products
• Plans the layout and placement of plants in the Perennials Sales Area and determines the best merchandising techniques and plant mixes to display the blooming perennials
• Supervises the construction and placement of display equipment and materials. Directs the removal of materials and other changes required to meet seasonal needs
• Determines quality control methods and overall appearance of the Perennials Sales Area
• Approves the mark down of any perennial plant material to a sale cart and maintains records of these items for the inventory system
• Determines plant product labeling, signage and point of purchase display materials for the Perennials Sales Area
• Assists with training all Perennials Sales Area staff to be knowledgeable of all plant names and their basic cultural requirements which include size and growth habits, fertilization and watering, light and pH preference and pruning techniques
• Works with the sales staff and checkout staff to answer questions, handle problems and provide perennial plant cultural advice to ensure effective customer service
• Schedules daily Perennials Sales Area tasks to maximize productivity and communicates necessary information to the Perennials Sales Staff
• Coordinates the care and maintenance of the Perennials Sales Area, oversees and performs daily plant stocking, determines watering needs and ensures that proper watering is performed
• Organizes team members to perform the cleaning, sweeping and hosing down of the Perennials Sales Area
• Establishes a system for pruning and “dead-heading” older plant materials, determines which materials are to be eliminated and documents daily waste
• Attends available seminars, conferences, etc. to update personal knowledge base
• Updates the Perennial reference library and establishes a reference and information center for customers
• Assists with the implementation of a sales training program for the Perennials Sales Area staff and monitors the effectiveness of the staffs’ customer service techniques and sales capabilities
• Assists with the unloading of delivery trucks and directs new plant material to a pre-determined location
• Assists in the development of an effective staff and provides input concerning staffing needs
• Assumes any other responsibilities that the Nursery Supervisor may assign

This position description is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of accountabilities, duties, responsibilities of requirements. Any individual may be required to perform any other job-related activities or functions requested by his or her manager, subject to reasonable accommodation. Berns Greenhouse and Garden Center has the right to modify this job description to reflect changes in essential job duties made necessary by changing organizational needs, subject to reasonable accommodation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Ethical, dependable, honest and trustworthy
• Extensive knowledge of all perennials that can be successfully grown in this area
• Strong attention to detail
• Positive attitude and ability to work in a team
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to learn and be open minded
• High school diploma or equivalent work experience
• Experience identifying plant material and background in horticulture and gardening practices
• Ability to see, talk and hear with or without reasonable accommodation
• Ability to frequently lift up to 50 pounds
• Constant walking, bending, carrying, lifting, kneeling, pushing, pulling, etc.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. JOB ENVIRONMENT:

The majority of this job is performed outside in all types of weather: heat, high humidity, rain and cold. The work environment is occasionally noisy, dusty and dirty. There is exposure to packaged soils and soil amendments, packaged chemicals, pollen, seeds and various types of plants. The physical demands of this job are moderate to high. While the job requires mostly standing and walking, there is also an equal amount of handling, pulling and pushing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk, see and hear.

Berns Greenhouse and Garden Center is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, veteran status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status or disability (in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act) with respect to employment opportunities.