Starke Ayres is the foremost African specialist and global supplier of premium vegetable, flower and lawn seed varieties – both for commercial and home garden planting. The following position has become available for a Horticultural Supervisor and Buyer, based in Sunningdale, Cape Town.

Purpose: To maximize the sales of the Company’s nursery range of products through effective displays, maintenance of sales areas and assistance to customers in a helpful and friendly manner, offering advice as and when required. Assume overall responsibility of product quality in the outdoor area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitors and controls purchases, quality, pricing, labelling, promotions and displays of all horticultural products.


• Regularly plans, negotiates and implements promotions.


• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.


• Monitors and analyses stock movement.


• Evaluates product range on an ongoing basis and recommends suitable alternatives as requested.


• Ensure that all plants are regularly fed, watered, pruned, and staked when necessary and are maintained in the highest quality.


• Identify problem areas regarding plants.


• Advise sales assistant of application of fertilizers / insecticides / herbicides in the garden centre as and when required.


• Provide input with regards to monthly and/or seasonal newsletters for customers.


• Always provides good customer service.


• Assists customers with product selection and answers customer queries giving assistance wherever necessary.


• Provides prompt feedback to customers regarding outstanding queries, within the time frames requested.


• Assumes responsibility for the security and safekeeping of all stock in the garden centre.


• Plan purchases in line with budgeted forecasts and sales history.


• Negotiate best price, terms, quality, and most cost-effective mode of transport.


• Ensures that stock levels are always maintained at acceptable levels in line with seasonal requirements.


• Expedite orders weekly and review quantities required & delivery dates.


• Oversee the receiving of deliveries of plants, ensuring correct plants received and that the quality is of the highest standard.


• Ensure that sales staff provides excellent, professional customer service always, ensuring positive shopping experience.


• Ensure that all company procedures are executed in the correct manner by sales staff.


• Assume the role of acting manager over weekends and as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Diploma / Degree in Horticulture (Essential)


• 3+ years’ experience in retail and management / horticulturist (Essential)


• Time Management Skills


• Retail Hours including Saturdays and Sundays


• Excellent on Systems


• Methodical and Organised