Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Floral Design Assistant
💰 $17 - $25 per hour
CreativeRetailEventsHospitality
🎯 Role Definition
As a Floral Design Assistant, you are the essential support system for our lead designers and the entire studio. You'll be immersed in the day-to-day operations of a bustling floral business, from processing beautiful, fresh blooms to providing exceptional service to our clients. This role is perfect for a creative, hard-working individual with a keen eye for detail and a genuine passion for flowers. You will be instrumental in ensuring the studio runs smoothly, our inventory is pristine, and our final products exceed client expectations, contributing directly to the creation of memorable moments through floral art.
📈 Career Progression
Typical Career Path
Entry Point From:
- Retail Associate (especially in home goods, garden, or gift shops)
- Event Staff or Catering Assistant
- Horticulture or Art & Design Student
- Passionate Hobbyist with a strong portfolio
Advancement To:
- Floral Designer
- Lead Floral Designer or Event Designer
- Studio Manager or Retail Shop Manager
- Wedding & Event Floral Coordinator
Lateral Moves:
- Visual Merchandiser
- Event Planner
- Plant Care Specialist or Interior Landscaper
Core Responsibilities
Primary Functions
- Assist lead designers with the creation of a wide range of floral arrangements, including bouquets, centerpieces, and large-scale installations for weddings and events.
- Receive floral shipments, checking for quality and accuracy, and properly process and condition all fresh flowers and foliage to maximize vase life and ensure optimal freshness.
- Meticulously clean and prepare buckets, vases, and various containers for design work, ensuring all materials are ready for use.
- Maintain the cleanliness, organization, and overall appearance of the design studio, walk-in cooler, and retail space to create a safe and inspiring work environment.
- Prepare arrangements for delivery, ensuring they are properly wrapped, secured for transport, and accompanied by the correct enclosure card and care instructions.
- Greet customers in-store and provide a positive, welcoming experience, answering questions about flower types, care, and pricing.
- Manage in-store, online, and phone orders, accurately entering client information and specifications into the point-of-sale (POS) system.
- Execute the creation of simpler floral designs, such as bud vases, simple wrapped bouquets, and dish gardens, following studio recipes and quality standards.
- Support event production by preparing, packing, and organizing all necessary floral designs, hard goods, and tools for on-site setup.
- Provide hands-on assistance during on-site event installations and breakdowns, which may include evenings and weekends.
- Monitor and maintain the health and appearance of all shop plants, including watering, pruning, and general care.
- Pull and prepare all necessary flowers, greenery, and hard goods from inventory based on design recipes for the lead designers.
- Keep the floral cooler meticulously organized, rotating stock to ensure the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method is followed.
Secondary Functions
- Assist in monitoring and managing inventory levels of both perishable (flowers, foliage) and non-perishable (vases, foam, ribbon, tools) goods.
- Help maintain visual merchandising displays in the retail area, ensuring the shop looks fresh, inviting, and shoppable.
- Assist with sourcing floral and sundry items from local markets and wholesalers as needed.
- Support the team during peak floral holidays (e.g., Valentine's Day, Mother's Day) with a flexible, all-hands-on-deck attitude.
- Assist in capturing photos and videos of daily arrangements and event work for social media and marketing portfolios.
- Respond to initial client inquiries via email and phone, gathering essential information for the design team.
- Contribute creative ideas for new arrangements, seasonal offerings, and window displays.
Required Skills & Competencies
Hard Skills (Technical)
- Foundational knowledge of common flower and plant varieties and their seasonal availability.
- Proven ability to properly handle and condition a wide range of fresh-cut flowers and foliage.
- Experience with basic floral design mechanics and tools, including clippers, floral knives, wire, and tape.
- Familiarity with operating a retail Point of Sale (POS) system.
- Ability to follow detailed instructions and floral "recipes" with precision and consistency.
- A valid driver's license and clean driving record for potential local deliveries or market runs.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional attention to detail and a strong artistic and creative eye.
- Outstanding time management and organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- A proactive, positive attitude and a genuine willingness to learn and take direction.
- Strong verbal communication and customer service skills; ability to interact with clients in a friendly and professional manner.
- Ability to work collaboratively and efficiently as part of a close-knit team.
- Physical stamina to stand for extended periods, work in a cool environment, and lift heavy buckets and boxes (up to 50 lbs).
- Adaptability and flexibility to work weekends, evenings, and long hours, especially during peak seasons and for events.
- Problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm and efficient under pressure.
Education & Experience
Educational Background
Minimum Education:
- High School Diploma or equivalent.
Preferred Education:
- Certificate or coursework in Floral Design, Floristry, or Horticulture.
Relevant Fields of Study:
- Horticulture
- Art & Design
- Hospitality Management
Experience Requirements
Typical Experience Range: 0-2 years
Preferred: 1+ years of experience working in a professional flower shop, for an event design company, or in a plant nursery is highly desirable. A strong portfolio of personal floral work may be considered in lieu of professional experience.