At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive sales, build customer relationships, and support branch management.
- Company: Leading independent builders' merchant with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, benefits package, pension scheme, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Great opportunity for career progression in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Join a successful team and make a real impact in the builders' merchant industry.
- Qualifications: Sales experience and a passion for customer service are essential.
About Our Client
Our client is one of the UK's leading independent builders' merchants, with an excellent reputation for customer service, quality products and strong relationships within the local trade community. Due to an internal promotion, an exciting opportunity has arisen for an ambitious and commercially minded Assistant Branch Manager to join one of their most successful branches. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys the sales side of merchanting, thrives on building customer relationships and has the drive and enthusiasm to help take an already successful branch to the next level.
The Role
Working closely with the Branch Manager, you will play a key role in driving sales, developing existing customer accounts and identifying opportunities to grow the branch's customer base. We are particularly interested in individuals who are passionate about sales, customer service and developing long-term trade relationships, rather than those whose experience is predominantly operational. You will be comfortable dealing with customers both over the telephone and face-to-face, preparing quotations, following up on enquiries and proactively turning opportunities into profitable business.
Key Responsibilities
- Sales & Business Development: Proactively identify new sales opportunities, develop existing accounts and help drive branch turnover and profitability.
- Customer Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with trade customers, understanding their requirements and becoming their trusted point of contact.
- Account Development: Identify opportunities to increase customer spending, reactivate dormant accounts and secure additional business from existing customers.
- Quotations & Sales Conversion: Prepare competitive quotations, follow up on outstanding enquiries and maximise opportunities to convert quotations into orders.
- New Business Opportunities: Work alongside the Branch Manager to identify and attract new customers within the local trading area.
- Customer Service: Deliver an exceptional level of service, ensuring customers receive knowledgeable advice, competitive pricing and a positive experience.
- Team Leadership: Support, motivate and develop the internal sales team, encouraging a proactive, customer-focused approach.
- Commercial Awareness: Assist with pricing, margins and sales performance, ensuring the branch remains competitive while maximising profitability.
- Branch Management: Support the Branch Manager with the day-to-day running of the business and take responsibility for the branch in their absence.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a motivated, personable and commercially driven individual who enjoys working in a busy builders' merchant environment. The successful candidate will ideally demonstrate:
- Previous experience within a builders' merchant or a closely related trade distribution environment.
- A strong sales background, ideally gained in internal sales, trade counter sales, sales management or assistant branch management.
- A proven ability to develop customer relationships and identify opportunities to increase sales.
- A proactive approach to following up quotations, generating business and achieving sales targets.
- Good knowledge of building materials and an understanding of the requirements of trade customers.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and customer service skills.
- Strong commercial awareness, including an understanding of pricing, margins and profitability.
- A positive, hands-on leadership style with the ability to motivate and support colleagues.
- The ambition and enthusiasm to progress within a successful and growing business.
Importantly, you do not necessarily need to be an existing Assistant Branch Manager. We would also welcome applications from experienced Internal Sales Managers, Sales Supervisors or commercially minded merchanting professionals who are ready to take the next step in their careers.
Salary & Benefits
- £45,000 basic salary (dependent on experience)
- Company benefits package
- Pension scheme
- Opportunities for career development and progression
- The opportunity to join a highly successful and well-established independent builders' merchant
Apply Today
If you have a passion for sales, enjoy building strong customer relationships and are looking for an opportunity to develop your career within a successful builders' merchant, we would be delighted to hear from you. Apply today to find out more about this exciting opportunity.
Assistant Branch Manager - Builders Merchants in Woburn Sands employer: Arco Recruitment Ltd
Join a supportive team at an independent builders merchant that prioritises employee wellbeing and success. With competitive salaries and a focus on work-life balance, this role offers excellent opportunities for personal and professional growth in a dynamic environment. Experience a culture that values safety, customer service, and teamwork while delivering essential building materials across the region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Branch Manager - Builders Merchants in Woburn Sands
✨Get Your Retail Game On
Start by getting to know the local retail scene. Make a list of stores that align with your vibe and visit them. You'll be surprised at how many job openings come from chatting with staff or managers in-store. Plus, showing that you have a genuine interest in their brand can make you stand out when applying for that full-time role!
✨Join Retail Networks and Forums
Tap into retail-specific communities and forums, whether online or in-person. Platforms like Retail Week or local retail meetups can provide invaluable insights and connections. You never know who might drop a tip about an upcoming job at companies like Arco Recruitment Ltd, so don’t miss out on building those relationships!
✨Be Ready for Busy Season Opportunities
Keep your eyes peeled for seasonal hiring windows, especially in the run-up to major shopping periods. Retailers often look for full-time staff to carry through busy times and may even keep you on after the season. Stay proactive by regularly checking in with your favourite retailers about their hiring plans.
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail’s all about customer interactions, so make sure you showcase any relevant experience in your conversations and interviews. Share specific examples of your customer service skills and how they’ve led to positive outcomes. This is your moment to shine when applying to roles at places like Arco Recruitment Ltd!
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Branch Manager - Builders Merchants in Woburn Sands
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Customer Service Skills:In retail, customer service is key! Make sure your CV highlights any experience where you've dealt with customers, whether it’s resolving issues or enhancing the shopping experience. Use concrete examples to demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to handle difficult situations with ease.
Tailor Your CV for Retail:When applying for a full-time role like this one at Arco Recruitment Ltd, customise your CV to reflect retail-specific buzzwords. Include any relevant skills such as inventory management or visual merchandising, and if you have experience with POS systems, shout about it! This will show you’re serious about joining the retail team.
Craft a Genuine Cover Letter:Don’t just repeat your CV in your cover letter! Use it as a chance to explain why you're excited about the opportunity at Arco Recruitment Ltd and how your values align with their brand. Mention specific aspects of the company that resonate with you and let your enthusiasm shine through!
Highlight Your Adaptability:In retail, things can get busy and unpredictable, so demonstrate how adaptable and flexible you are. Share examples of times you've had to adjust your approach on the fly or take on new responsibilities. This will show Arco Recruitment Ltd that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Arco Recruitment Ltd
✨Show Off Your Customer Service Skills
Retail is all about providing an exceptional customer experience, so be ready to discuss your past customer service stories. We should have examples on hand of how we've handled difficult situations or gone above and beyond to meet a customer's needs. These anecdotes will bring your application to life!
✨Familiarity with Point of Sale Systems
Many retail roles require us to work with Point of Sale (POS) systems, so it's a good idea to brush up on any relevant software you’ve used before. If you’re familiar with systems like Shopify or Square, don’t forget to mention this during the interview. Highlighting technical proficiency can set us apart from other candidates!
✨Understand Product Knowledge
Be prepared to discuss the products that the store sells and how we can contribute to their sales. Showing enthusiasm for the products and a willingness to learn can impress interviewers. We should research popular items or trends in the industry before the interview, so we can speak confidently about them.
✨Be Ready for Role-Playing Scenarios
Many retail interviews include role-playing scenarios where we might have to deal with a difficult customer or upsell a product. Practising these scenarios with a friend or family member can help us feel more comfortable. The key here is to showcase our problem-solving skills and ability to remain calm under pressure!
