At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers at the counter, process sales, and provide product advice.
- Company: Join a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, staff discounts, and ongoing training.
- Other info: Friendly, inclusive team with clear pathways for progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in customer service while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Previous retail or customer service experience is essential.
The predicted salary is between 30175 - 33000 £ per year.
We are recruiting a Counter Sales Advisor to join our Salfords branch. This customer-facing role involves serving trade and retail customers at the branch counter, processing sales and enquiries efficiently, and supporting colleagues across sales and branch operations. The successful candidate will be customer-focused, reliable and adaptable, representing the company professionally while maintaining high standards of product knowledge, stock presentation and service.
Main Responsibilities
- Greet customers promptly and courteously at the counter, ascertain their needs and provide knowledgeable product advice to help them find the right materials for their projects.
- Process sales transactions accurately using the branch till and order systems, including taking payments, issuing receipts and managing returns or exchanges in line with company policy.
- Prepare quotes and handle telephone and email enquiries professionally, passing complex or trade account queries to the appropriate colleague or manager.
- Support branch colleagues by picking and staging customer orders for collection, liaising with the yard and delivery teams to ensure timely fulfilment.
- Maintain up-to-date product and price knowledge, proactively recommending alternatives or upsell opportunities where appropriate to meet customer needs.
- Ensure the counter, displays and adjacent stock areas are clean, well organised and merchandised to company standards, assisting with stock replenishment as required.
- Accurately record customer details, sales and order information in the company systems to support invoicing and reporting.
- Adhere to health and safety procedures, use appropriate PPE when required and follow manual handling guidelines to protect yourself and colleagues.
- Work flexibly to provide cover across the branch during busy periods, supporting early starts, late finishes or occasional Saturday shifts as required.
Person Specification
- Previous counter sales, retail or customer service experience is essential within a builders merchants, trade supplier or similar environment.
- Excellent customer service skills with a positive, professional telephone manner and the ability to build rapport quickly with customers from diverse backgrounds.
- Confident using IT systems, tills, CRM or order processing software; accurate data entry and attention to detail are important.
- Good product knowledge or the ability to learn product ranges, pricing and technical information quickly.
- Flexible, reliable and able to work as part of a team, supporting branch goals and adapting to changing priorities.
- Physically able to carry out manual handling tasks and work in a busy branch environment, including outdoor yard areas in variable weather.
- Strong organisational skills, able to prioritise workload and manage multiple customer enquiries during peak periods.
- Commitment to follow company policies and health & safety procedures at all times.
Working Hours, Salary and Benefits
- Permanent, full-time role based at our Salford's branch. Typical hours are Monday to Friday 07.15 - 17.00, with 1 in 3 Saturdays (08:00 - 12:00).
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience (£30,175 - £33,000).
- 25 days’ holiday per year plus bank holidays and a celebration day, rising with service in line with company policy.
- Company pension scheme.
- Employee Assistance Programme and access to online GP services.
- Comprehensive induction, ongoing product training and opportunities for development and progression within the business.
- Staff discounts and a supportive, team-focused working environment.
Why Join Salfords?
- Work for a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation and commitment to service.
- Be part of a friendly, inclusive team where your customer care and product knowledge make a real difference.
- Develop your skills through structured training and clear pathways for progression across the Lawsons Group.
- Play an important role in helping trade and retail customers source the right products for their projects.
- We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, background or experience.
If you are a customer-focused counter sales professional who takes pride in delivering excellent service, we would like to hear from you.
Counter Sales in Salfords employer: Lawsons
Join our Salfords branch as a Counter Sales Advisor and become part of a well-established, family-owned company that values customer service and employee development. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a supportive team culture, we offer structured training and clear pathways for progression, ensuring you can grow your skills while making a meaningful impact in the community. Experience a friendly and inclusive work environment where your contributions truly matter.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Counter Sales in Salfords
✨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 Lawsons, 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 Lawsons!
We think you need these skills to ace Counter Sales in Salfords
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 Lawsons, 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 Lawsons 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 Lawsons that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lawsons
✨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!
