At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers, deliver materials, and maintain a safe yard operation.
- Company: Fairalls Builders Merchants, part of the Independent Builders Merchants Group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension scheme, paid holidays, and staff discounts.
- Other info: Ongoing training and career progression opportunities available.
- Why this job: Join a friendly team and make a real impact in the builders' merchant industry.
- Qualifications: Full UK Driving Licence and good customer service skills required.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 30000 £ per year.
Fairalls has been serving tradespeople and DIY customers across the Southeast since 1990. As part of the Independent Builders Merchants Group (IBMG), we combine local expertise with the support and strength of a national group.
We're looking for a reliable and customer-focused Counter Sales / Van Driver / Yard Operative to join our team. This is a varied, hands-on role where you'll support customers at the trade counter, deliver materials to local sites, and help maintain an efficient and safe yard operation.
What You'll Be Doing
- Trade Counter
- Serve customers and process sales
- Provide product advice and recommendations
- Promote products and current offers
- Keep the counter area clean and well stocked
- Van Driving
- Deliver building materials to local customers
- Complete daily vehicle safety checks
- Secure loads safely for transport
- Represent Fairalls professionally at all times
- Yard Operations
- Pick and prepare customer orders
- Load and unload vehicles safely
- Check and receive stock deliveries
- Maintain a clean, organised, and safe yard
What We're Looking For
- Full UK Driving Licence (essential)
- Builders merchant, trade, warehouse, or similar experience (preferred)
- Forklift Licence (preferred – training available)
- Good customer service and communication skills
- Basic computer skills
- Ability to carry out manual handling duties
- Reliable, punctual, and a strong team player
Working Hours
- Week 1: Monday to Friday: 7:00am – 5:00pm
- Week 2: Monday to Friday: 7:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday: 8:00am – 12:00pm
What We Offer
- Competitive salary
- Pension scheme
- Paid holiday entitlement
- Staff discount on building materials
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Ongoing training and development
- Career progression opportunities
- Friendly and supportive team environment
If you're looking for a varied role within a successful builders merchant and enjoy delivering excellent customer service, we'd love to hear from you. Apply now and join the team at Fairalls Builders Merchants.
Counter sales Van Driver / Yard Operative employer: IBMG
At Sussex Plumbing Supplies, we pride ourselves on fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment where creativity meets commerce. As a Showroom Sales Assistant in Heathfield, you'll enjoy competitive salaries, generous staff discounts, and opportunities for career progression through design training. Our team is dedicated to providing honest advice and exceptional service, ensuring that both employees and customers feel valued and inspired every day.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counter sales Van Driver / Yard Operative
✨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 IBMG, 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 IBMG!
We think you need these skills to ace Counter sales Van Driver / Yard Operative
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 IBMG, 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 IBMG 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 IBMG that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at IBMG
✨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!
