Wholesale Yard Intern

OBJECTIVE / ACCOUNTABILITY

To satisfy customers and meet their expectations by providing excellent customer service with the Midwest Groundcovers Team.   To meet company needs and achieve personal goals through working and being trained in the Sales Yard and UPICK with possible time in inside sales, inventory, marketing, and production jobs.   Excellent internal and external customer service is the most important part of this job.  

The program will vary depending on the interest and skill of the intern and the needs of the company.  Generally the intern will focus a majority of time in one or two departments, with work opportunities in other departments later in the season and during the intern program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

Act as a support to the Wholesale and UPICK Team: 

• Provide excellent customer service to all customers and develop customer relationships.
  • Answer customer questions about plants, yard layout, customer accounts, etc.  
  • Assist with processing customer orders, loading vehicles, etc.

1. Address any customer complaints in a tactful and prompt manner; inform supervisor
2. Communicate any customer plant requests or compliments to supervisor

• Understand, apply and effectively communicate company customer service policies
• Actively sell UPICK inventories - both MG & MT - and offer samples per company policy.
• Develop basic Ross, Moneris and SharePoint skills as they apply to Sales.
  • Become proficient in order entry and charge card system 
  • Understand how to read UPICK Inventory
  • Process orders and collect payment in the UPICK Yard
  • Assist with opening and closing process and follow all cash handling procedures
• Assist in maintaining quality plants by applying proper cultural care in the UPICK Yard.
  • Watering/irrigation
  • Weeding and re-burlapping trees/shrubs
  • Deadheading/pruning
  • Other basic horticultural practices
  • Removing dead/declining plants and following “Loss” procedures
• Assist in stocking the Wholesale and UPICK Yard and keeping yard clean and organized.
  • Confirm counts on transfer orders
  • Unload/label plants as they arrive on transfers; use tree loader to unload B&B material
  • Space pots to allow for plant growth, customer access and organized appearance
  • Arrange CC carts so they are accessible and attractive
  • Post/update signage as needed
  • Ensure that cages/carts are removed from UPICK promptly
  • Clean up trash, recycle containers etc.  
• Assist in the coordination and production of in-house events targeted at UPICK customers.
• Assist in other departments with tasks as needed
  • Assist Order Holding with loading wholesale customer vehicles
      

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently enrolled in, or recently graduated from an Associates or Bachelors program in a related field of study.
• Ability to work outside in the seasonal elements for the majority of the workday
• Ability to lift 25 lbs
• Strong commitment to customer service and teamwork
• Excellent problem solving skills with a positive, action oriented attitude
• Strong organizational skills with attention to follow up
• Strong written and verbal skills; some Spanish is desired

BENEFITS

• Paid  holidays 
• Employee discounts

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Proudly ranked as a 2024 and 2025 Top Work Place in several categories, including Woman-Led companies and Cultural Excellence for Professional Development.  Midwest Groundcovers has been growing and propagating over 20 million of the finest wholesales plants in the Midwest. Although Groundcovers are our specialty, Midwest Groundcovers’ plant offerings include Evergreens and Broadleaves, Deciduous Shrubs, Perennials, Ornamental Grasses, Vines and Native Prairie, Wetland and Woodland species. We are leaders in the Green Industry in partnering with landscape architects, landscape designers, green roof and plant professionals to create inspiring planting combination solutions. Experts in plants for Midwestern durability and sustainability for over five decades.