At a Glance
- Tasks: Serve customers, manage deliveries, and support sales in a dynamic trade environment.
- Company: Join HPS, a leading plumbing and heating merchant with a supportive culture.
- Benefits: Earn while you learn, with salary increases and profit-sharing opportunities.
- Other info: Great career progression with many leaders starting from the same apprenticeship.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career with hands-on experience and real impact in the trade industry.
- Qualifications: Motivated individuals ready to learn and work in a fast-paced environment.
The predicted salary is between 8.4 - 8.4 £ per hour.
Salary: £8.40 per hour (rising to £9.20 after 6 months & Living Wage after 12 months)
Job Type: Full-time, Apprenticeship
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Newhaven
Looking for More Than Just a Job? Start Your Career at the Heart of the Trade Industry with HPS, part of the largest independent networks of plumbing and heating merchants in the UK with over 310 sites nationwide.
Our business is built on a decentralised model, which means every team is trusted to run their site like it’s their own and gain the benefits of Profit Share by doing so.
As an Apprentice Trade Supplier, you’ll join a local team where your effort genuinely makes a difference - and where long-term, high-earning careers are built from the ground up. You’ll gain hands-on experience across both warehouse and trade counter operations, while working toward your Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship. This is more than an apprenticeship - it’s the first step in running your own business unit one day.
What You’ll Do
- Serve trade and retail customers at the counter and by phone
- Help pick and pack orders accurately and efficiently
- Receive and manage deliveries
- Keep the warehouse organised and safe
- Learn product knowledge and technical basics
- Support sales, logistics, and customer service as part of the wider site team
What You’ll Learn
- Sales and customer service in a trade environment
- Stock control, warehousing, and logistics
- Product knowledge across plumbing and heating
- Commercial thinking, teamwork, and operations
- Environmental awareness, legislation, and sustainability
Who You Are
- Motivated, dependable, and ready to learn by doing
- Enjoy working with people and delivering great service
- Like physical, hands-on work in a fast-paced environment
- Curious about how businesses run and grow
- Looking for long-term opportunity - not just a short-term job
Why This Role Is Different
At HPS, your apprenticeship isn’t just a learning opportunity - it’s a launchpad. Many of our managers and regional leaders started out on the counter or in the warehouse, just like you. Because each site is run with autonomy, you’ll gain real commercial experience early - with the chance to influence how your site performs, grows, and succeeds.
Apprentice Trade Counter Sales Advisor in Burgess Hill employer: UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS)
HPS in Brighton is an excellent employer that prioritises the growth and development of its apprentices. With a supportive team environment, you will gain invaluable hands-on experience while working towards your Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship, all while enjoying competitive pay and opportunities for progression. The company fosters a culture of learning and collaboration, making it a rewarding place to kickstart your career in trade and retail.
Contact Details:
UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS) Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Apprentice Trade Counter Sales Advisor in Burgess Hill
✨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 UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS), 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 UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS)!
We think you need these skills to ace Apprentice Trade Counter Sales Advisor in Burgess Hill
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 UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS), 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 UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS) 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 UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS) that you’re ready to jump in and contribute right away!
How to prepare for a job interview at UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS)
✨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!
