Plant Yard Associate

MRT Lawn and Garden Center Position

MRT Lawn and Garden Center is looking for well-rounded individuals who enjoy working outside and providing customer service at both our Port Charlotte and Venice locations. Tasks include watering plants, helping customers make plant selections, learning about Florida plants, receiving plant deliveries, etc. Our goal is to find candidates who are eager to come to work and are willing to be part of a team. Pay starts at $14 an hour and may increase based on prior qualifications or work experience.

MRT Lawn and Garden Center is a family-owned and operated garden center located in Venice, FL. It has been in business since 2003 in its original location. The center has opened a second location in Port Charlotte that combines an ACE Hardware store with the original concept of MRT Lawn and Garden Center.

Notice to Applicant: You are applying for a job with an independently owned cooperative member of Ace Hardware Corporation, who operates this Ace Hardware store, not Ace Hardware Corporation. The independent store owner alone is responsible for and independently makes all decisions concerning employment related matters, including hiring, firing, discipline, supervision, staffing and scheduling. Ace Hardware Corporation will not receive a copy of any applications submitted for this position, and will have no control over interviews and/or hiring decisions, does not control and is not responsible for the employment policies and practices of the independent store owner. If hired, the independent store owner will be your only employer. Ace Hardware Corporation is not the employer for this position. The Ace Hardware trademarks, logos and designs are owned by Ace Hardware Corporation and used by independent store owners under a license from Ace Hardware Corporation.

About MRT Lawn and Garden Center: General Summary Associates will assist in the receiving, stocking, pricing of all merchandise and help maintain a clean and orderly merchandise presentation and overall store cleanliness. Associates will also be responsible for assisting customers by being knowledgeable in either hardware or in horticulture. Operating a garden center requires upkeep of the facilities and outlying areas of the property. This position will be responsible for a variety of topics that include maintaining the property, painting, cleaning, digging holes, organizing bulk areas, etc.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Customer Service:

• Provide a positive representation of MRT Lawn and Garden Center.
• Proactively assist customers in solving problems.
• Greet customers entering and throughout the store. Thank customers when finished and when they are leaving the store.
• Possess a friendly outgoing demeanor; work well with customers as well as associates.
• Ensure all pages and calls are answered promptly, courteously and effectively.
• Forward any customer complaint that cannot be handled to a member of management.
• Possess strong product knowledge and knowledge of store layout and location of products.
• Assist customers throughout the store with personal, customized service based on the premise of amazing every customer, every time.

Store Operations:

• Assist in creating a positive, professional and safe work environment.
• Assist with receiving, checking in and stocking of merchandise throughout the store.
• Assist with maintaining back stock levels.
• Assist with daily maintenance, orderliness and cleanliness of the sales floor, stock room and outdoor merchandise area.
• Assist with providing a clean and orderly sales floor, including end caps and ad merchandise.
• Assist with merchandise resets through the store.
• Provide assistance to Department Specialists, i.e. price changes, special orders.
• Ensure signage is current throughout the store.
• Operate forklift with proper training.
• Communicate any Store Support Center issue to General Manager for follow up.
• Communicate any merchandising, cost control or sales idea to General Manager.
• Participate in store meetings.
• Be professional in appearance and actions.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Education/Training: High School or GED equivalent. Formal retail experience preferred in either hardware or horticulture.

Physical Demands: Standing, walking, lifting (up to 50lbs) and climbing.

Requirements: Physically demanding job that requires the ability to work outside in the heat. Florida plant knowledge is a bonus but not necessary.