At a Glance
- Tasks: Gain hands-on sales experience and learn to manage customer relationships.
- Company: Join Plumbase, part of the UK's largest plumbing and heating merchant network.
- Benefits: Receive professional training, clear career progression, and mentoring from industry leaders.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with exposure to various business areas and ongoing support.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in sales with real responsibility and growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Open to graduates and those with relevant work experience; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 30000 £ per year.
Looking for a career in sales, account management, business development or commercial management? Whether you're a recent graduate, or have built your career through customer-facing roles in retail, hospitality or sales, our Commercial Development Programme is designed to develop future commercial leaders. At Plumbase, you'll gain hands‑on sales experience, structured commercial training and real responsibility from day one. You'll learn how to manage customer relationships, grow accounts, develop business opportunities and understand the commercial drivers behind a successful business. This is more than a sales trainee role. It's a structured career pathway into account management, business development, sales management and site leadership.
About Plumbase: Plumbase is part of the UK's largest independent network of plumbing and heating merchants, with over 310 locations and more than 2,500 employees nationwide. Our Commercial Development Programme combines practical experience with professional sales training to prepare you for roles such as a Profit Centre Manager, Showroom Manager or Sales Manager. Working within a £17.9bn industry, you'll build valuable commercial skills that can support a long‑term career in sales, management and business development.
What You'll Be Doing: This is a hands‑on sales and commercial development role where you'll learn every aspect of the business.
- Product & Industry Knowledge: Learn our products, stock management processes and supply chain operations. Understand how products solve customer challenges across the plumbing and heating sector. Develop technical product knowledge that supports successful sales conversations. Serve customers at the trade counter. Handle customer enquiries by telephone and email. Build confidence in sales conversations and customer relationship management.
- Account Management: Build relationships with existing trade customers. Support account growth and customer retention. Progress towards managing your own customer portfolio.
- Business Development: Identify opportunities to win new business. Learn commercial decision‑making and profitability management. Support site growth through proactive customer engagement.
- Cross-Functional Learning: Gain exposure to multiple areas of the business. Work alongside commercial, operations and service teams. Develop a broad understanding of business operations and commercial management.
- Professional Development: Attend structured sales and commercial training programmes. Learn from experienced managers and industry specialists. Participate in supplier events, customer trade days and networking opportunities. Receive ongoing coaching and career development support.
Who We’re Looking For: We welcome applications from graduates seeking a graduate sales career, retail professionals looking to move into sales, hospitality professionals seeking career progression, customer service professionals wanting a commercial career, sales professionals looking for structured development, and ambitious career changers with strong people skills.
Successful candidates will demonstrate strong communication and relationship‑building skills, a genuine interest in sales, account management and business development, commercial awareness and a willingness to learn, ambition to progress, resilience, adaptability and a proactive approach.
To be eligible for our Commercial Development Programme, you'll need one of the following: A university degree (in any subject), OR A college qualification plus a minimum of 3 years' work experience, OR GCSE-level education plus a minimum of 5 years' work experience. We value potential, commercial mindset and transferable skills just as highly as academic qualifications.
What You'll Receive: Structured Commercial Development Programme, professional sales training and development, clear career progression opportunities, mentoring from experienced commercial leaders.
Apply Today: If you're looking for a Graduate Sales Job, Sales Trainee position, Business Development role or Account Management career, we'd like to hear from you. Apply today and begin building a long‑term career with Plumbase.
Sales Trainee in Heywood employer: Plumbase
At Plumbase, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a dynamic work culture and prioritises employee growth. Our structured Commercial Development Programme offers hands-on sales experience, professional training, and clear career progression opportunities, ensuring that you are well-equipped to thrive in the plumbing and heating industry. With over 310 locations across the UK, you'll be part of a supportive team that values ambition and resilience, making it an ideal place for those looking to build a meaningful and rewarding career.
