We have recently opened a new Connect ACR Supplies branch in Swindon and are looking for a reliable, practical and customer-focused Trade Counter & Branch Assistant to work alongside the Branch Manager.
Connect ACR Supplies is an independent Air Conditioning & Refrigeration merchant, supplying trade customers with A/C systems, refrigeration equipment, and the ancillary products needed to install, maintain and support them.
This is a new branch, but not a new business. You will be joining an established company with an existing customer base, experienced support behind it, and a clear plan for growth. The Swindon branch is still in its early stages, so the right person will play an important part in helping shape the branch from the beginning.
This is a varied, hands-on trade role. Your days will include serving customers on the trade counter, taking orders, picking and checking goods, delivering orders to customers, receiving deliveries, putting stock away, and keeping the warehouse clean and organised.
A big part of the role is getting to know our trade customers, understanding what they are working on, and helping them get what they need for the job. You do not need to be an air conditioning or refrigeration expert from day one, but you do need to be interested, willing to learn, and confident speaking to customers.
Deliveries are a key part of the role. Most deliveries will be local, but we also support local customers working on jobs further afield, so driving can sometimes take up a good portion of the day. You must be comfortable driving a company van, representing the business professionally, and handling goods carefully while loading, transporting and delivering them.
The role can also be physically demanding at times. Some products are heavy or awkward to handle, including air conditioning units, metalwork, refrigerant bottles and other ancillary materials. Safe lifting, careful handling and good awareness of your surroundings are important.
We are particularly interested in hearing from people who have worked in trade counter, merchant, warehouse, delivery, trade retail, parts counter, tool hire, or practical customer service roles. Experience with businesses such as Screwfix, Toolstation, electrical wholesalers, plumbers' merchants, builders' merchants, motor factors, or trade suppliers would be especially relevant.
Experience in fast-paced, process-driven environments such as Aldi, Lidl, McDonald's or similar businesses would also transfer well, particularly where accuracy, pace, customer service and following clear procedures are important.
We care about keeping standards high. That means maintaining a tidy and organised branch, serving customers in a helpful and professional way, communicating clearly, checking work carefully, and looking for ways to improve how things are done.
This role would suit someone who is practical, proactive, comfortable speaking to trade customers, has high attention to detail, and is happy working as part of a small team where everyone helps where needed.
Key Responsibilities
- Serving trade customers on the counter in a friendly and professional manner.
- Taking orders by phone, email and in person.
- Picking, checking and preparing customer orders accurately.
- Loading, transporting and delivering orders to customers.
- Receiving deliveries from suppliers and checking goods against paperwork.
- Putting stock away correctly and keeping stock areas tidy and organised.
- Handling heavier or awkward products safely and carefully.
- Keeping the warehouse, trade counter and branch areas clean, safe and well presented.
- Using our computer system to process orders, check stock and support day-to-day branch operations.
- Supporting the Branch Manager with the daily running of the branch.
- Helping develop good habits, systems and standards as the new branch grows.
Requirements
- A full UK driving licence is essential.
- Comfortable driving a company van for customer deliveries.
- Reliable, punctual and willing to work as part of a small team.
- Comfortable speaking to customers face to face and over the phone.
- Good attention to detail when picking, checking and processing orders.
- Able to work in a practical, hands-on and sometimes physically demanding role.
- Comfortable with lifting, carrying, loading and handling trade materials safely.
- Comfortable using computers and learning new systems.
- Willing to take instruction, ask questions and learn how things should be done.
- Able to use initiative and look for useful things to do during quieter periods.
- Willingness to learn about air conditioning and refrigeration products.
Previous experience in trade counter, warehouse, merchant, delivery, fast-paced retail, wholesale or customer service work would be strongly preferred.
Working Hours
This is a full-time, Monday to Friday role.
Business hours are 8:00am to 5:30pm, with a lunch break.
There may be occasions where an early start is needed for customer deliveries. Where this happens, we will look to balance this with an earlier finish on the same day.
Why Join Us?
This is a great opportunity for someone who wants more than a standard warehouse or retail job. You will be joining near the beginning of a new branch, working closely with the Branch Manager, and helping build something we want customers and staff to be proud of.
Air conditioning and refrigeration is a growing industry, with strong demand from both commercial and domestic customers. You will have the chance to learn a specialist trade, develop practical product knowledge, and build skills that can grow with the business.
You will be part of a small, friendly team, but with the support of a wider established business behind you. There will be plenty to learn, plenty of variety, and the opportunity to grow with the branch as it develops.
We want the Swindon branch to be a place customers enjoy visiting and staff enjoy being part of, professional, helpful, down to earth and built on mutual respect.
If you are reliable, practical, customer-focused and willing to get stuck in, we would love to hear from you.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £26,000.00-£30,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Application question(s):
- Are you located in Swindon?
- Are you comfortable with regular lifting, loading and handling of trade materials, including heavy or awkward products?
- Do you have experience in a trade counter, merchant, trade retail, warehouse, delivery, or similar practical customer-facing role?
- Are you happy to spend some initial training time at our Newbury branch during working hours? A company vehicle will be available for you to travel between branches, so you would not need to use your own vehicle or fuel. You would also return to Swindon before your normal finish time.
Experience:
- Customer service: 1 year (preferred)
- Warehouse: 1 year (preferred)
- Delivery driver: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (required)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
