Trade Counter Sales Advisor – Plumbing & Heating
Location: Direct Plumbing & Heating Supplies Ltd, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £27,000–£30,000 per annum (depending on experience) + Performance Bonus
Reports to: Managing Director
Join Our Growing Team
Direct Plumbing & Heating Supplies is an independent plumbing and heating merchant supplying quality products to trade professionals, contractors, installers, landlords and homeowners across Nottinghamshire.
We're looking for an experienced and customer-focused Trade Counter Sales Advisor to become a key member of our team.
This is more than a traditional trade counter role. We're looking for someone who enjoys building relationships, delivering excellent customer service and using their plumbing and heating knowledge to help customers find the right products and solutions.
You'll become a trusted face of the business, developing relationships with local tradespeople while helping us grow our trade customer base and reputation.
About the Role
As our Trade Counter Sales Advisor, you'll provide a professional, friendly and knowledgeable service to customers visiting the trade counter, contacting us by phone or emailing enquiries.
You'll prepare quotations, process orders, promote products, build long-term customer relationships and identify opportunities to grow sales.
Working closely with the Managing Director and wider team, you'll play an important role in helping develop and grow the trade side of our business.
Key ResponsibilitiesCustomer Service & Sales
- Deliver a welcoming, professional and knowledgeable trade counter experience.
- Understand customer requirements and recommend suitable plumbing and heating products.
- Prepare accurate quotations and follow them up proactively.
- Process sales orders, collections, returns and payments accurately.
- Handle customer enquiries in person, over the telephone and via email.
- Check stock availability and provide realistic collection or delivery times.
- Recommend suitable alternative products where required.
- Promote relevant products, supplier offers and seasonal promotions.
- Identify complementary products that support customers' projects.
- Resolve customer queries professionally and efficiently.
Trade Account Development
- Build strong relationships with plumbers, heating engineers, bathroom installers, contractors and landlords.
- Promote and develop trade accounts.
- Follow up quotations and maximise conversion opportunities.
- Contact inactive customers and encourage repeat business.
- Identify opportunities to attract new trade customers.
- Work closely with our bathroom showroom team to generate referrals between both businesses.
- Support supplier events, product demonstrations and trade mornings.
- Contribute ideas to improve customer service and grow sales.
Trade Counter Operations
- Maintain a clean, organised and professional trade counter.
- Ensure stock is well presented, clearly priced and replenished.
- Pick and prepare customer orders accurately.
- Assist with stock replenishment, stock checks and goods received.
- Report product shortages and customer demand trends.
- Coordinate customer collections and deliveries.
- Process returns and credits in accordance with company procedures.
- Handle cash, card and account transactions accurately.
- Keep product and supplier knowledge up to date through ongoing training.
What We're Looking For
Essential
- Previous experience within plumbing, heating, bathrooms, builders' merchants or a similar trade environment.
- Good knowledge of plumbing and heating products, fittings and terminology.
- Experience in a trade counter, merchant, customer service or internal sales role.
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Good numeracy and attention to detail.
- Confidence using computer systems to prepare quotations and process orders.
- A proactive and commercially aware approach.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Desirable
- Experience working within a plumbing merchant.
- Knowledge of boilers, radiators, heating controls and associated products.
- Experience developing trade accounts and generating repeat business.
- Familiarity with bathroom products, sanitaryware and brassware.
- Stock control or purchasing experience.
- Existing relationships with local plumbers or contractors.
- Full UK driving licence.
Personal Qualities
The successful candidate will be:
- Friendly, approachable and customer focused.
- Confident communicating with professional tradespeople and members of the public.
- Reliable, organised and professional.
- Commercially aware with a positive attitude.
- Motivated to build strong customer relationships.
- Willing to learn and continuously develop their product knowledge.
- Proud to deliver excellent customer service and maintain high standards.
Measures of Success
Performance will be measured through:
- Trade counter sales performance.
- Gross profit.
- Growth in active trade account customers.
- New trade accounts opened.
- Quotation conversion.
- Customer retention and repeat business.
- Order accuracy.
- Product availability and presentation standards.
- Customer feedback and service quality.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary of £27,000–£30,000, depending on experience.
- Performance-related bonus following successful completion of probation.
- Full-time permanent employment.
- Workplace pension.
- Staff discount on selected products.
- Company uniform.
- Ongoing manufacturer and supplier training.
- Genuine opportunities for progression as the business grows.
- A supportive, friendly working environment where your contribution will make a real difference.
Important Information
Applicants should have previous plumbing and heating experience or be able to demonstrate strong knowledge of plumbing products and terminology. Applications without relevant industry knowledge are unlikely to be shortlisted.
Employment is subject to satisfactory references and proof of the right to work in the UK.
If you're passionate about customer service, enjoy working with tradespeople and want to play an important role in helping grow a successful local business, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today and tell us why you'd be a great addition to our team.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £27,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Would you be able to identify the majority of day to day plumbing fittings?
Work Location: In person
