Six reasons why you should consider a career in recruitment

If you are thinking of changing your career, then recruitment is definitely worth considering. It is a career that many overlook, but it is exciting, challenging and interesting, as well as personally and financially rewarding. 

It is a major industry sector

The recruitment industry has an annual UK turnover of over £20 billion and employs almost 100,000 people, therefore contributes significantly to the UK economy. However, its real value is actually much more... 

Help shape the economy of the UK

A recruitment agency helps shape the future of the whole economy by providing a range of professional services to people and companies across many job functions and industry sectors.

Your aim as a recruitment consultant is to successfully guide individuals through their career and assist companies to add real value to their business. In summary, your placements help to deliver a successful UK economy by enabling other sectors to generate income, through the right people being placed in the right roles to allow companies to benefit.

Become a unique talent scout in a diverse and challenging environment 

The job is arguably one of the most diverse within the business world. It is fast paced, exciting, competitive, challenging and very rewarding. Your role is that of a talent scout, trying to identify and uncover qualities and potential in people to flourish in the right environment.

Help enhance peoples’ lives and companies to grow 

A recruitment consultant comes with a high degree of responsibility as you directly influence futures - you have the opportunity to change lives for the better. We all like to help others; it brings a great sense of satisfaction to guide an individual in their career path, or a company to that next level – placing the right person in the right job is a job well done. 

Develop your interpersonal and professional skills 

You are the vital link between the candidate and the client; you will need to have (and learn to enhance) a wide range of skills to succeed.  Most important is the ability to build professional relationships with your clients. 

You need to be comfortable operating under pressure and should be ambitious and confident. It is also vital that you can multi-task and be able to apply a high level of integrity to your decision-making.

Personally and financially rewarding with superb career development opportunities 

Recruitment consultants can be very well rewarded – and if you are good at your job - the performance related bonuses or commission levels are very attractive. 

There is also excellent career progression in recruitment - if you’re new to the industry you would normally start as trainee consultant, progressing to a senior consultant and then depending on the company size, a branch manager or regional manager.

So for your next job, why not consider a career in helping other people find rewarding jobs and companies to flourish with ideal employees.  Interested? Why not work for Pinnacle Consulting...

Four facts about Pinnacle Consulting

We offer expert industry-specific recruitment services

We are a specialist sales and marketing recruitment agency operating exclusively in the UK construction products and building materials industry. This means our knowledge and advice is based on a true understanding of our customers’ needs.

Our Consultants manage projects from cradle to grave 

You would manage relationships with a broad range of clients from multi-national distributors and manufacturers of building products to small independent ones.

You would be responsible for the whole recruitment process - this includes sourcing and qualifying new sales and marketing vacancies, sourcing interviewing and screening candidates and then matching candidates to vacancies.

We consider integrity as being vital to our philosophy

Our mission is to build long-term relationships for long-term gain. It is not just about filling a vacancy for us and getting a placement - that would be the easy fix and not fair on either the candidate or the client. 

This is where our philosophy of integrity and professionalism plays a vital role and makes us different from many others. We do this by really getting to know our clients and candidates, so we intuitively know what they need, resulting in confidential advice that is invaluable and hard to find elsewhere.

We encourage the development of our own talent too

Although previous recruitment experience is beneficial – it is not essential. It is just as important to have a naturally positive outlook combined with a professional and well-organised work ethic. 

Our current team are from a combination of internal telephone based sales and customer service type backgrounds. Most importantly they share a common grounding within challenging and targeted environments where there is the need to deliver. 

If you have experience of selling products or services, dealing with decision makers and working to measurable targets or business objectives then the role of recruitment consultant at Pinnacle Consulting could be right for you.

Still interested? We offer a negotiable basic salary depending on experience plus uncapped commission giving first year earnings of £40k-£50k. Call Steve Rogan today on 01480 405225 to discuss further.  

Leaders in construction products and building industry sales recruitment.
We are currently recruiting...

Image "Recruitment" by Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee from http://www.freedigitalphotos.ne

Updated estimating service will assist merchants' relationships with local building firms

Builders' merchants are one of our most active sectors for the recruitment of showroom sales, field sales and specification sales professionals, it is also a sector that has had to embrace technology advancements.  

In recent years the importance and scope of merchants' relationship with building firms in their locality has grown and merchants have had to adapt to remain competitive. Many of our clients use software developed by construction sector specialists HBXL and we are pleased to hear that their popular estimating service to enable builders' merchants to offer speedy and accurate quotes to their customers has now been extended and improved.

With the service, HBXL now not only supports builders' merchants establish better working relationships with local building firms but helps them increase market share and improve profit margins.

The service works by sending a set of building plans to HBXL where the company’s expert estimators will price up the plans quickly and accurately.

Once complete a detailed estimate report pack is then sent back outlining a summary of the project’s cost, detailed breakdown of materials, plant and labour, cost breakdown of each build phase, cash flow projection and a build program for when each part of the project will take place.

It also comes with a professional customer quotation for the builder’s own client to help them win the job. And for merchants anticipating large volumes of work, any estimates produced for their branches can be worked out using their product descriptions, their product codes and priced using each branches account prices.

HBXL marketing director Joanna Mulgrew said builders' merchants looking to extend the service they provide to their customers should make the most of the estimating service which has been specifically designed to take the hassle out of providing accurate take-offs for residential construction projects.

Joanna said: “Every good merchant will have a hub of local builders who rely on them for good customer service. But how often have they had plans sat on their desk for a week or two and just not had the time to do them?

“By signing up to the HBXL Estimating Service merchants can offer their customers a really quick turnaround.

“The builder gets a speedy and accurate quote while the builders' merchant ensures it covers all the building materials required for the job.

“The more you know about what your client is building the more opportunity you have to sell in products on your books. It’s about maximising the opportunity from every customer – by asking for a client’s plans you have sight of the whole job so you can sell more.

“Builders will then come to rely on their builders' merchants as they need to get their own tenders in.”

Joanna added: “Due to the quality of the estimating packs we provide, builders genuinely win more jobs. And the more successful the builder is, the more they will spend with their builders' merchant. In short, everyone’s a winner.”

HBXL’s estimating service ranges in price from £75 for a single garage to £99 for a lift conversion, £199 for a three-bedroom house. A next day service is also available.

For details on the HBXL Estimating Service, please visit www.estimating-service.co.uk

Pinnacle Consulting is a leading builders' merchant recruitment specialist offering the best jobs with builders' merchants in the industry. Call us on 01480 405225 to discuss your requirements.

Coming soon: Operations v Sales

For many companies, Operations and Sales work together about as well as oil does with water. However, the reality is they should be working together as well as Tony Adams did with Steve Bould all those years ago! 

In the next of our series of industry interviews addressing real issues in the building products sector, we take a close look at this relationship (no, not the Adams and Bould one!) and find out how it can be resolved for the benefit of all. 

It is important to remember that there are actually three in this relationship. Who is the third? ...the most important of all: 'the customer'. It is not all about Sales and Operations.

Make sure you don't miss out on the series by liking our Facebook page and be the first to be alerted when they are published. Part one will be out in early June.

You might also wish to check out our current construction sales vacancies here. Pinnacle Consulting is a leading UK sales and marketing recruitment agency for the building products and construction industry.

To to get you in the mood for our series - take a look at these two videos and see if they ring any bells!




Image courtesy of Salvatore Vuono "Box" / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A fantastic event for Sales Professionals

We like to keep you informed on useful tools and events to help your personal career development and at the same time to help your company gain more sales and competitive advantage. 

So, if you have time in early June, you should visit the UK's best and largest exhibition dedicated to Sales professionals. It is an exhibition to inspire the modern Sales Director/Manager with the latest education and tools for developing yourself, your team and ultimately your company. It takes place 6-7th June at ExCel London and tickets are free too!

Sales Management and Performance Exhibition is the largest and most important event for professional sales leaders. With some of the best-known names, thought leaders and industry experts offering cutting-edge advice and demonstrating the latest technologies, products and services; this event is sure to equip Sales Directors and Managers with the latest systems and tools to improve sales performance.

The event includes:

• Seminars
• New ideas and initiatives 
• Interactive Workshops
• Features
• Speaker

So if you want to gain more customers, get more from your existing customers, become slicker in how you operate, learn new ideas and techniques or gain a better and fresher understanding of selling and customer care, then you really should register for your free ticket today. 

Are you inspired? Do you want to develop your career in sales?Take a look at our current field sales jobs and sales management jobs in the construction products and building materials industry.

Pinnacle Consulting is a leading UK wide sales and marketing recruitment agency specialising in the building products sector. Call us on 01480 405225.

Latest Construction Trade Survey: Positive optimism for manufacturers and private housing but blame the weather for everything else!

Pin Board can reveal that although the latest Construction Trade Survey shows activity in the majority of the construction industry fell during the first quarter of 2013 with the impacts of falling demand exacerbated by the adverse impacts of poor weather, there is news that product manufacturers are much more optimistic. 

Overall, industry prospects still remain somewhat downbeat with contractors, specialists and civil engineers all reporting declining orders for future work. However, there is more positive news for private housing and infrastructure, confirming previous indicators of growth in these sectors. 

Commenting on the survey, Noble Francis, Economics Director at the Construction Products Association said:  ‘The weather in January and March undoubtedly had a negative effect on activity in construction and, as a result, we would expect to see a degree of catch-up in the second quarter. However, prospects for this year are still poor with a subdued private sector and continuing austerity affecting most sectors of the industry. Overall, construction output is expected to fall 2% this year but private housing and infrastructure are potentially looking more positive and could be drivers of growth for the industry next year. Also, product manufacturers are looking forward with some optimism and are anticipating that exports could boost sales.

Speaking about the survey Stephen Ratcliffe, Director UKCG, said: ‘The fall in construction output is not unexpected. Market conditions remain challenging, and as a lagging indicator construction will trail behind growth in the wider economy.  However there are some positives in the latest survey – improving sentiment amongst major players and better prospects in housing and infrastructure - and construction remains a £100bn sector and a major contributor to jobs and output. Government has recognised the importance of the sector, and the industry is working with Ministers to bring projects forward and build confidence.’

Julia Evans, Chief Executive of the National Federation of Builders added: ‘Output, especially among SMEs, has continued to fall. However, in each of the last three years between February and March, there has been a marked increase in construction output. We can only hope that despite construction companies continuing to have difficulties accessing finance that history repeats itself and that construction will soon be able to report positive growth. To enable the construction industry to thrive past this point, what we need to see from the government is the delivery of its many schemes and a laser-like focus on ensuring that the schemes benefit those they were intended to help, and within a reasonable timeframe.’

Key survey findings include: 

• 10% of building contractors reported that, on balance, output in private commercial work continued to fall yet all building output flatlined
• Private housing and non-housing R&M were the worst hit sectors for building contractors, with 29% and 12% respectively, reporting falls in output, on balance
• 39% of heavy and 38% of light side manufacturers reported an annual contraction in sales in Q1, on balance
• Civil engineering workloads were broadly flat in Q1 for a second consecutive quarter with a balance of 1% recorded
• A quarter of contractors reported that, on balance, orders fell in the first quarter
• 11% of large and medium sized building contractors, on balance, suggested that tender prices reduced in the first quarter of 2013, compared to 43% in Q4
• 43% of building contractors, on balance, reported rises in costs, an increase from 30% in Q4
• 27% of contractors, on balance, reported falls in profit margins, down from 46% in Q4

See the latest industry jobs 
Pinnacle Consulting offer the best sales jobs for building materials and construction products with companies in the building products sector.

NMBS revamp their Professional Points scheme

Today is the start of a key couple of days in the builders' merchants calendar with the well loved and supported annual NMBS Gala Dinner and exhibition in Telford. At the same time The National Merchant Buying Society (NMBS) has re-launched their website and their Professional Points loyalty scheme. 

These initiatives are happening in the year the NMBS is celebrating its 50th trading anniversary and form part of their ongoing commitment to offering members the best possible deals, offers and terms. They have also announced that they have added a new supplier partner.

Under the Professional Points reward programme, which is free to join for all NMBS members, users earn one point for every £10 spent with participating suppliers. These points can then be redeemed against a selection of products that include workwear, power tools, hand tools and roofing supplies, as well as electrical and gaming products and sporting equipment. 

The new version of the Professional Points website provides a secure, protected and informative platform for users to access comprehensive and relevant material about available products and suppliers, to place orders and to redeem their accrued points. 

The new participating supplier, Industrial Textiles and Plastics, joins Makita, Dickies and Spear and Jackson as an approved partner to the scheme. 

Dean Hayward, marketing manager at NMBS, said: "As a business, NMBS takes customer loyalty very seriously and we're always looking for new ways to offer our members the best possible benefits. The enhancement of our professional points offering is just the latest example of this commitment in practice, helping to reward customers for their on-going business and loyalty and giving something back for every pound they spend." 

Call them to find out more 0116 253 0531.

The National Merchant Buying Society Ltd (NMBS) is a centralised buying society for Independent Builders, Timber, Hardware, Plumbing and Heating Merchants. It has over 700 members with over 2000 branches with over £545 million buying power.

Pinnacle Consulting specialise in providing recruitment services for the builders' merchant sector.

Featured Building Materials Sales and Marketing Jobs: May 2013

May 2013 - This month we focus on some excellent management, internal/field sales, and marketing opportunities throughout the UK in the insulation, kitchen appliances, heavyside building products and heating and plumbing sectors.

• Call us on 01480 405225 to discuss any of our current vacancies 
• Email us on recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk
• Visit our website at www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk to find out about our full range of recruitment services for the building products sector.

Keep informed of ALL our latest jobs when they become available on our Facebook page. Remember to click LIKE! to ensure you receive the full benefits of news, jobs, entertainment, articles, events and promotions.

See below for full details of our featured jobs (click 'Read more' if required).

Building Industry Sales and Marketing Career Developmemt Clinics for May 2013

Are looking for a new challenge in your career or an independent evaluation of your career direction? 

Contact us and arrange to attend one of our FREE PinBuild Career Development Clinics this May and get the summer off to a great start.

PinBuild Clinics are for sales and marketing professionals in the building products, construction and interiors sectors and provide specialist career advice. Call us to arrange to meet one of our Specialist Consultants.  Tel: 01480 405225 or Email recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

May PinBuild Clinics

• Wednesday 15th May: Nottingham
• Thursday 16th May: Bristol
• Weds 29th May: Coventry
• Thursday 30th May: Dartford

Look at our current jobs

You might find one that you would like to discuss:

Construction products sales jobs

Construction products marketing jobs

Construction products management jobs

PinBuild Clinics will evaluate the job seeker’s career to date and identify the best opportunities available. The clinics provide professionals with expert advice on how to progress their career by discussing the industry sectors that have potential for growth, the skills and focus needed to ensure that they develop with the changing nature of the market and how to ensure that their career continues to progress rather than stagnating.

The clinics will also assist those that attend to map out a realistic and achievable career path, including any potential training requirements. Assistance will also be given to evaluate their CV and also their interview technique and where they should focus to ensure they realise their true potential in the building and construction industry.

We specialise in external and internal sales positions, marketing and management roles and director and board appointments with manufacturers, merchants or distributors across the whole building, construction and interiors product spectrum.

Read the latest construction news from The Guardian

Growth in Kitchen Appliances Market reported

Pin Board is pleased to hear that a new report from Companies and Markets has revealed the UK cooking appliances' market grew by 1% in 2012. This was mainly due to consumers realising the benefits of the innovative features and integrated functions of modern cooking appliances. It was also reported that this sector will become the largest within the white goods market by 2015.

Although only small growth, it is encouragement for the manufacturers in the KBB sector who invested in market research, technological innovation and product development during some very difficult times. It is also testament to high quality marketing in educating the benefits of these features to the consumer through promotional campaigns and manufacturers' network of showrooms and retailers. The key areas that have driven the growth are ease of functionality and growing consumer awareness of economical and environmental issues.

Key Headlines

• Large cooking appliances returns to positive retail volume growth of 1% in 2012
• Multi-functionality features and built-in integrated appliances are in high demand in 2012
• Freestanding cooking appliances record the highest retail volume growth of 2% in 2012
• Freestanding cooker hoods posted the strongest growth in 2012 with a volume rise of 5%
• Built-in hobs and cookers each recorded 1% retail volume growth in 2012 after being in decline since 2008.
• Unit price increase across all the category resulting in total value growth of 4% in 2012
• Indesit Co UK continues to lead, holding 17% retail volume share in 2012
• Large cooking appliances is set to record a retail volume CAGR of 3% over the forecast period

You can buy the report here

Are you looking to work in the KBB sector? Take a look at our current Bathroom and kitchen industry Sales Jobs.


Image courtesy of imagerymajestic / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Construction output 'best for 6 months' says report

The UK construction market was given a small boost with the latest Markit/CIPS Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) showing the best performance for 6 months in April with the index rising to 49.4 from 47.2 seen in March. This was above economists' expectations who had predicted a score of 48. The sector is now very close to returning to growth.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said the sector fought back following cold weather earlier in the year slowing down work.

"UK construction sector output was closer to stabilisation than at any time since October 2012," said Mr Moore. "The overall survey findings are an early indication that construction will act as less of a drag on UK GDP over the second quarter of 2013."

Encouraging signs for jobs' market in the coming months
Markit said that employment levels "were broadly stable" at the start of the second quarter, with subdued demand patterns leading to cautious job hiring trends. However, a rise in business optimism about the outlook for the year ahead has helped stabilise overall staffing levels.

Search for a new job today 

Construction Sales Jobs  Construction Marketing Jobs Call us on 01480 405225 for expert construction industry recruitment advice for sales and marketing professionals and manufacturers and distributors of building products.

Residential Building under Construction image courtesy of artur84 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

RICS reveal largest increase in workloads since end of 2007

Pin Board is please to hear that the latest RICS Survey has revealed that the construction industry has seen workloads rise more in first quarter of 2013 than in any other since the end of 2007. This has been driven by private housing construction which is more good news for the building products industry and its manufacturers and distributors.

In the first quarter of the year, 10% more surveyors across the United Kingdom have reported rising workloads. Although the workload is low compared to the heady days, the upward trend is still very encouraging. RICS said the rise in the first quarter suggested that some of the government initiatives were beginning to "breathe life" back into parts of the property sector.

The survey also revealed that a rise in employment within the sector is expected with 22% more chartered surveyors anticipating a rise in employment levels over the year.

Simon Rubinson, RICS chief economist said, was cautious in his response but admitted that the rise in output was a "little better news".

"The government’s attempts to stimulate the market seem now to be having some impact but there are still significant challenges to be overcome," he said.

"In particular, the availability of finance and planning related issues continue to present obstacles to development."

Pinnacle Consulting offer expert and industry specific advice and access to the best UK wide opportunities in the construction products market.

Search for a new job today Construction Products Sales Jobs   Construction Products Marketing Jobs   Construction Products Internal Sales Jobs   Construction Products Management Jobs Or call us on 01480 405225 for expert construction industry recruitment advice for sales and marketing professionals.