Seasonal Retail Greenhouse Associate

As a Retail Greenhouse Associate, you will be responsible for enhancing the guest shopping experience. You will provide information on plants and plant care to customers. In addition to providing exceptional customer service, you will be maintaining inventory levels in the retail greenhouse. You will be a proponent for a variety of different products including but not limited to annuals, tropicals, trees, shrubs, edible products, patio pots, hanging baskets, hardgood products and more. A Retail Greenhouse Associate will work in the Annuals, Nursery, Houseplants, Seasonal, Perennials, Hardgoods or Vegetable Departments.

Employment Type:

• Seasonal (peak season is May-June)
• Full-time for peak season
• Part-time for non-peak season

Responsibilities:

• Assist customers by locating specific plants and products, providing informed recommendations, advising on appropriate plant care, and addressing any additional questions they have about plant varieties.
• Take customer inquiries and direct them to the appropriate department or area they are looking for.
• Participate in the restocking process by organizing and condensing product displays, replenishing low inventory from backstock, creating replenishment lists, and moving products from hoop houses or warehouses to the retail floor.
• Maintain the cleanliness and appearance of the area by straightening containers, pruning plants as needed, and removing debris from plant displays.
• Set up visual displays, signage, and marketing materials to ensure the area is well-stocked and visually appealing.
• Ensure inventory levels are maintained, and visual brand standards are followed.
• Answer radio calls from all departments with proper radio etiquette to ensure efficient communication.
• Operate the golf cart safely as needed (training will be provided).
• Keep the physical space clean by sweeping, weeding, emptying compost bins, and organizing shared staff spaces.
• Use patio pot poles and hanging basket poles to remove or add planters to the greenhouse roof.
• Learn about a wide range of plant varieties and their care requirements, as well as related garden products.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the team and ensure smooth operations.
• Work in compliance with all human resources, operational (SOP), and Food, Health & Safety policies and procedures.

All Retail Greenhouse Associates will be assigned to one of the following departments:

Annuals Department

The Annuals team is one of the biggest teams during peak season, which makes teamwork of particular importance for success. Annuals Associates will be trained to know the varieties of annuals we carry, their specific needs and how to best care for them to keep them looking their best all season long. With varying levels of experience, some customers will only need assistance locating certain flowers; while others will need more help to choose what plants will be best suited for their projects and advice on how to be successful. The West Wing is one of the hottest greenhouses at Heeman’s, so Annuals Associates will need to be comfortable in a consistently hot workspace. This position is best suited for people who pride themselves on their collaboration and communication abilities, and love to go-go-go!

The Annuals team also has a section located outside of the main greenhouse, and will work primarily in the sun all day, stocking full-sun annuals. The benches are lower to the ground, so this position will require a lot of bending and kneeling. This particular area is heavily shopped, and it requires a lot of foresight to make replenishment and merchandising decisions since these plants are high-moving. Both independent work, and ability to take direction will be crucial to success in this position. This opportunity is best suited to someone who is very active and loves being outdoors regardless of the weather.

Seasonal Department

The Seasonal Department is the entrance for our customers. This showcase space is the first thing they see, and as the Seasonal Department Associate you will be one of the first Daymakers they will talk to. You will need to know enough about the various departments to be able to act as an information hub. Any person who is well versed in “all things Heeman’s” would do well as a Seasonal Department Associate. The Seasonal Department is where we showcase seasonal plants and displays, so you will primarily work with patio pots and hanging baskets. This position is one of the most consistently physical at Heeman’s as you will be lifting hanging baskets and patio pots over your head with a 7ft long pole for most of your shift. Additionally, you will support the offloading of incoming shipments from suppliers. This position is best suited to someone who has strong upper body strength and loves to be active all day.

Vegetable Department

Vegetable House Associates will be trained to know the vegetables we carry, their varieties, and how to best grow and care for them. You will be helping customers with varying levels of experience; some will just want to know where to find a specific plant, others will be looking for help to start their very first garden! As a team, we can make sure our customers leave informed, happy, and eager to get planting! Vegetable House Associates will use double-decker carts to move plants, so upper body strength will be important. You will be working in the West Wing, which is one of the hottest greenhouses at Heeman’s so this position is best suited to someone who loves the heat of summer. The Vegetable House is a shorter season than other departments, but it serves just as many customers in a shorter time frame, so it’s very fast-paced. Due to the short season of vegetables, this position is best suited for someone who is adaptable, flexible and enthusiastic about learning new positions.

Perennials Department

The Perennials Department is in an open greenhouse. The greenhouse is roofed but the walls are rolled up so there is still exposure to all elements of the weather. Like trees & shrubs, perennial plants stay in people’s gardens year after year. Customers will have a lot of specific questions about plants and optimizing their garden. The ability to visualize garden and landscaping design is an asset, as well as pre-existing perennial plant knowledge. Some perennials are grown in-house while others are shipped from suppliers, so the Perennial Associates will be responsible for unloading shipments and making replenishment runs on a golf cart to the storage greenhouses. Perennial Associates are acting back-up to the Trees & Shrubs Department, so tree and shrub knowledge is considered an asset.

Nursery Department

The Nursery Associate will be required to stock trees and roses as well as maintain inventory levels. They will also be required to help unload trucks of trees and shrubs as they come in from our suppliers. The offloading process can be quite laborious, as the tree and shrub shipments can be quite large and heavy. Tree and shrub purchases are usually considered more of an investment, as they are typically more expensive and will last a longer time in someone’s garden. As such, customers will have very specific questions about the product before they make a purchase, so it’s beneficial for candidates to have tree and shrub knowledge prior to working in this department; however, it is not mandatory, and training will be provided where needed. The location of this department is exclusively outdoors, so the Trees & Shrubs Team must be comfortable working in all weather conditions. Nursery Associates are acting back-up to the Perennials Department, so perennial plant knowledge is considered an asset.

Hardgoods Department

A “hardgood” is the term we’ve given to any item sold at Heeman’s that is not alive. This department includes pottery, decor, plant solutions and much more. Hardgood’s Associates will work anywhere that hardgoods are displayed throughout the store. Overstock is kept in the warehouses and will require the use of ladders to access. Before merchandise is moved from the warehouse to the retail area, it must be priced, stickered and verified to have been received and entered into our point-of-sale (POS) system. This requires great attention to detail to ensure all stock on the sales floor is accurately priced and will scan at the registers. When the merchandise is ready to be moved on to displays, a detailed plan will be outlined from a Hardgoods Leader, so the ability to follow direction will be pivotal to your role. While every Daymaker must answer guest questions, hardgood inquiries can often be very specific so a specialization in product knowledge will be required.

Houseplant Department

Houseplant Associates will be trained in all aspects of plant care, including light, water, soil, temperature, humidity, and potential toxicity. You’ll be assisting customers with varying levels of experience, from those looking for advice on selecting their first plant to more seasoned gardeners seeking specific plant care tips. Your knowledge will help customers make informed choices, ensuring they leave excited and confident about growing their own plants.

Houseplant Associates will also receive new shipments, inspect plants for pests or diseases, and ensure inventory is accurately labeled and entered in the system. The Houseplant area is one of the hottest parts of the greenhouse at Heeman’s, so Houseplant Associates will need to be comfortable in a consistently hot workspace. Flexibility and a passion for learning will help you adapt as needs change throughout the season. Whether it’s helping with plant care or providing expert recommendations, Houseplant Associates are essential in delivering a positive experience for every guest.

Knowledge, Skills & Personal Attributes:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Open communication style
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to quickly change pace and adapt to new job tasks with minimal notice
• Capable of working independently and in a team environment
• Excellent time management skills and ability to manage frequent interruptions
• Adaptability to a continuously changing work environment

Education, Experience & Language:

• Gardening experience or willingness to learn
• Prior retail, agriculture or greenhouse work experience is considered an asset
• Language: advanced English (written and oral)

Availability:

• Availability to work before and after regular hours and during all hours of operation (which will include evening and weekends)
• Availability to work up to 6 days per week
• Flexibility to accommodate scheduling changes
• Open availability for peak season (May 1st to July 3rd)
• Transportation plan; Heeman’s is not located on a bus route

Greenhouse Conditions:
The working environment of greenhouse includes

• Direct and indirect sunlight
• High humidity
• Hot and cold temperatures
• Wind, rain, snow

Benefits:

• Staff discounts (to fuel that plant and berry collection)
• Paid vacation days
• Uniform allowance

About Working at Heeman’s:
No two days are the same at Heeman’s and that keeps things interesting and exciting. As seasonal farm business that’s open year-round, we see some pretty busy times and experience down seasons too. The environment here in the greenhouse and outdoors means it can be sunny and hot or cold and snowy, you’ll need to be capable of performing in this kind of environment and you’ll spend most of your time in a hot greenhouse, standing for prolonged periods, and moving heavy items (that can weigh up to 50lbs). Heeman’s is proudly a family owned, and farm/agriculture-based business and our employees are classified as agriculture employees under the ESA.

How to apply:
Please bring a copy of your resume and cover letter to the greenhouse anytime during our regular business hours. You can present your application to our manager on duty at the Guest Services Desk right next to the check-out area. We will ask you a few simple questions when you come in. 

Heeman’s
20422 Nissouri Road
Thorndale ON  N0M 2P0

Phone: 519-461-1416

Heeman’s is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. Heeman’s provides accommodations for persons with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. Any inquiries can be sent to h r @ h e e m a n . c a or by calling 519-461-1416.

We thank you for your interest in obtaining employment with our family business! Candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.