Construction Sales Career Development Clinics for April 2015

If you are looking to make a move in sales or marketing in the construction and building products industry, an evaluation of your career and some expert guidance is a good idea. Arrange to attend our FREE PinBuild Career Development Clinics this April.

PinBuild Clinics are for sales and marketing professionals in the construction and building products sector, providing specialist career advice and a match to the latest construction sales vacancies.

Call us and arrange to meet one of our expert construction industry consultants on 01480 405225 or contact us via to secure your booking e-mail recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

Next clinic dates

• Wednesday 1st April - Leeds
• Wednesday 8th April – Warrington
• Wednesday 15th April – Bristol
• Wednesday 22nd April –Reading
• Wednesday 29th April –Notts/Derby

Our current jobs: You might find one you'd like to discuss: Search for building and construction products sales 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.

Take some time out to read about CRASH the construction industry's charity for homeless people and one of our industry partners for our charity initiative 'Helping others as you recruit.'

Great news for KBB sector as homeowners plan substantial upgrade work on their kitchens

Research in the latest UK and Ireland Kitchen Trends Report on Houzz.co.uk, from a survey of more than 2,800 UK and Irish homeowners has revealed that those planning to re-do their kitchens this year are planning to 'go big'.

Figures that 49% will be investing in substantial upgrades and more than a fifth adding an extension.

Nearly half of homeowners (48%) are budgeting £5k to £20k for their project, while 21% were estimating spending £21k to £40k and 1% budget in excess of £100,000. Those are some pretty big figures and is great news for manufacturers, distributors and retailers of kitchen products. 

The increase in new home purchases have been highlighted as a key reason for driving growth in kitchen upgrades, demonstration how the whole building industry feeds of each other for mutual benefit.

As well as investing substantial amounts of money, space was also highlighted as being important – with 64% of those working on a kitchen project, or planning one in the next year, said they were looking to increase the square footage of their space.

At Pinnacle, we have also seen substantial growth in the amount of KBB sales and marketing positions on our books. If you are looking to recruit or looking for a new job, we are experts in KBB recruitment

The average homeowner in the UK and Ireland updates their kitchen every 13 years, according to Houzz.co.uk's UK and Ireland Kitchen Trends Report.

Other highlights from the research:

• On average, UK and Irish households update their kitchens every 13 years 
• We spend around 12% our lives in the kitchen, on average 2.8 hours a day
• Open-plan living is here to stay
• People opt for professionals to help – just 23% have chosen DIY

Read the full report here...

BMF launches customer service Charter

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has introduced a new Charter that commits its members to provide the highest standards of customer service throughout the building materials supply chain. 

We believe that this is great news for the sector, as it comes under increasing competition from the Internet and the DIY sheds. 

Interaction with your customers, learning about new products by actually seeing them and gaining face-to-face expert advice, as well as, being able to collect products the same day are, for most in the trade, paramount. 

Maintaining these benefits are vital for both the merchant and the building products manufacturer to fend-off the competition from the net and the sheds.

As part of the new initiative, BMF merchant members will be required to commit to the 10 point Charter, and encouraged to display it with pride at the merchant counter and on their website.

A separate version of the Charter for BMF Supplier members, which gives corresponding pledges to their merchant member customers, will further assist BMF merchants to offer the best possible service to trade and consumer customers.

If you are a looking for a new job at a merchant or are a builders merchant looking to recruit in internal sales and customer service staff, please take a look at our recruitment services for the merchant sector.>>

John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, said: “We want the building trade to make BMF merchants their first port of call because they know they will get the best service there. By signing up to the Charter, BMF members are signaling their intent to constantly seek to improve their operation, to work with their suppliers to improve the effectiveness of the building materials supply chain, and to give customers real value for money

“The Charter not only demonstrates the professionalism of BMF members, but it also highlights the wide-ranging support they offer to their customers.”

Under the terms of the Charter, BMF merchants promise to:

• Deal with customers promptly and fairly
• Ensure that any complaints are handled equitably
• Hold comprehensive and quality stock
• Promote sustainable products and materials wherever appropriate
• Offer product advice from experienced teams
• Provide prompt deliveries
• Provide structured credit facilities
• Commit to best standards of health and safety
• Minimise any adverse effects which their operations might have on surroundings and neighbours
• Minimise and recycle waste and manage waste disposal in a responsible manner

Under the terms of the BMF Supplier Charter, members will guarantee:

• Prompt and fair dealings with merchant member customers
• Help to stock and display our products
• Sustainable products and materials
• Technical support and product training
• Commitment to improve the effectiveness of the building materials supply chain

Compliance with the Charter will be monitored by the BMF. If a customer believes that a BMF member has failed to live up to its terms, they may contact the BMF for advice on gaining redress. In the event that a complaint cannot be resolved between the two parties, the BMF Charter Advisory Service will be employed to reach a satisfactory solution or compromise.

If you are a looking for a new job at a merchant or are a builders merchant looking to recruit in internal sales and customer service staff, please take a look at our recruitment services for the merchant sector.

UK construction industry reports strong growth in February

The latest Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) has reported that activity in the UK's construction industry increased during February.

The index rose by a point to 60.1, its highest level since October 2014. Any score above 50 indicates growth in the market.

The housing, commercial and civil engineering sectors all showed signs of accelerating growth.

Commenting on the construction figures, Tim Moore, Markit's senior economist, said: "The latest survey highlights renewed vitality within the UK construction sector, as output growth picked up further from the soft patch seen at the end of 2014.

"However, some construction companies noted that the uncertain general election outcome could prove a temporary bump in the road for new work."

www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk Sales and Marketing Jobs in the Building Products and Construction sector.

All done!!!! but you can still help support GOSH...

Well I did it! I completed the Cambridge Half Marathon in 2 hours and 38 minutes. 

A huge thank you to everyone who supported me, although it is my legs which need supporting now!

Thanks especially to all at Pinnacle Consulting and Ridgeons - who sponsored my running kit.

You can still help our efforts to raise vital monies for GOSH by donating via the link below. Any donation of £2 and over will make such a difference.



DONATE HERE

Job in Focus for March: National Sales Director for Home Furniture Market (£85k + package)

Our latest Job in Focus is a National Sales Director role in the Home Furniture Market. It is with a global growing company supplying major OEM customers and Retail Groups including John Lewis. They are looking for a high-calibre leader to oversee this expansion.

Each month our Construction and Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales and marketing construction and building materials job vacancies currently on our books. Job in Focus is also promoted on our website. www.pinnacleconsulting.co.uk 

Job Title: Sales Director

Job Ref: J5247

Product: Furniture

Location: National

Salary: £85k and benefits.

Sector: Management

On behalf of a global manufacturer of high performance components for the furniture market, we are actively seeking to identify a dynamic Sales Director Designate to pursue a superb opportunity to grow and develop a well established business unit. 

The company have an exemplary global reputation within their area of expertise, with expanding operations internationally, employing 10,000+ employees worldwide and generating annual turnover in excess of £1.5bn. The organisation have continued and accelerated growth within this key product line, serving cutting edge products specifically designed to enhance the quality of end products in the home, medical and specialist furniture markets, supplying major OEM Customers and National Retail Groups including John Lewis. 

Due to the continued growth of this segment, the company are seeking a high-calibre Sales leader to oversee, manage and spearhead this expansion. The candidate will inherit full sales revenue responsibility, implementing multi-discipline business strategies, with the ultimate objective of increasing the revenue and market share of the business unit amongst the companies key competitors. The Individual's success will be measured directly against increases in profitability, sales growth and market share. 

The essential criteria specifies that the candidate will be able to demonstrate a proven track record in senior sales or commercial management, demonstrating exceptional business leadership abilities. You will have experience in managing national account level agreements. In addition you will have experience in selling a high volume, bulk commodity product into OEM and Own Brand Channels. Market experience is not required, however you will have sold a component level product. Ideal backgrounds would include Automotive, Furniture, Electrical or any Component based product sold to OEM. 

This role would be well suited to an experienced individual with exceptional sales leadership expertise, seeking rewarding career progression in an exciting and expanding multi-national company. The successful candidate would be appropriately remunerated with an annual salary of between £60,000 and £85,000 per annum + Executive Benefits Package and Bonus. 

For further information or to discuss your career options contact Steve Brennan on 01480 405225 or apply online.

Please take a moment to watch this video

If you haven't yet donated, please watch this video and understand more about why we support Great Ormond Street Hospital and the wonderful work they do for sufferers of Cystic Fibrosis. 

The cause has been selected because our Managing Director, Steve Rogan, is a keen supporter of Great Ormond Street Hospital, mainly because his nephew, Tom, suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and receives amazing care there.

You can help by making any size of donation - from £2 upwards - and support our efforts in participating in the Cambridge half-marathon, this Sunday. Please donate here.

Next week I will be telling you all about the race and also the training building up to the day, and how the experience can help people in their preparation to look for a new job.

However, lets spend some more time understanding Cystic Fibrosis. Please watch this video which was created in conjunction with the British Comedy Awards. It says it all really...

The Breath Before on VOTD

TOM BY HIS MUM
Tom was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis, a life limiting illness, affecting the lungs and digestive system, when he was only 5 weeks old. 

This was a devastating blow to our family and we very quickly came to realise that life as we knew it, would never be quite the same again. As parents it seems incomprehensible that you will outlive your child, but that is the reality that we have had to come to terms with.

Throughout his young life, Tom has endured some very difficult times, battling with his illness. Treatment is very aggressive and lengthy stays in Great Ormond Street Hospital have become common. But throughout, Tom has remained positive, cheerful and never complains. He shows a maturity and acceptance of his condition, way beyond his years.

Tom is now almost 18 years old – as a parent I have seen milestones reached that I thought I would never see – school prom, trips to the Reading Festival and driving lessons – testament to the truly amazing care he has received from the team on the Respiratory Ward at Great Ormond Street.

In a world where money can buy almost anything, it will never buy me the one thing I want more than anything else – the health and long life of my child, but Great Ormond Street Hospital have given Tom the best possible chance of a life that will progress into adulthood. 

Please donate here.

PREVIEW - Building industry in-depth focus: The changing role of the trade press

During the last few years there has been a distinct shift in how manufacturers, distributors, and merchants of building products promote and communicate with their customers and specifiers. 

Part of the reason is due to the Internet and electronic media offering different communication options, and part is due to the economic recession forcing companies to look more carefully at how they spend their marketing budgets.

As a result, trade magazines in the building and construction industry have suffered from reduced advertising revenue and some, like What’s New in Building, have sadly been lost.  

However, the trade press remains one of the best ways to communicate and educate your audience. Using effective public relations, in-depth features, and display advertising, the trade press is a vital sales and marketing tool. It is crucial that the industry continues to support the trade press and ensure its successful relevance or the entire industry will suffer.

In order to remain relevant and in-tune with the industry, trade magazines need to adapt and innovate to offer greater value. They also need to become more targeted in how they benefit both their advertisers and readers. 

As with all products and services, companies need to understand what their customers want and if a magazine becomes indispensable to its readers, then the advertisers and contributors will want to continue to be involved in its production. 

Later this month we will see the publication of the latest of our in-depth features with people from within the building industry. This feature will look at the changing role of the trade press and why it is still a vital communication platform for the whole industry. 

PinBoard will discuss these issues with one of the leading and most respected publications in the industry, Professional Builder – keep checking in, so you don’t miss out on this informative read.

If you are looking to recruit for sales and marketing professionals in the building and construction products industry, find out more on our industry specific recruitment services here.

GOSH!...the things you do for charity!

The day arrived for me to run around the Emirates Stadium for the final part of my promotion and training for my half-marathon in support of GOSH, and I managed to complete my task. I can now concentrate on the big day which is this coming Sunday.

I am running the Cambridge half-marathon - kit sponsored by Ridgeons - to raise vital funds for Badger Ward at Great Ormond Street Hospital. 

A couple of weeks ago, I ran a few times around West Ham's Upton Park - my team, but I have now fulfilled my part of the deal: running round Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. And here is Tony Adams and I as the proof...I think he is claiming offside!

The cause has been selected because our Managing Director, Steve Rogan, is a keen supporter of Great Ormond Street Hospital, mainly because his nephew Tom suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and receives amazing care there. Steve and his nephew are huge Arsenal supporters hence me doing this...the things you do for charity!

Please donate to the cause here. Your support is appreciated.


YOU CAN ALSO BUY A BRAND NEW ARSENAL RETRO LONG SLEEVE SHIRT - LIKE THE ONE I'M WEARING AND THE MONEY WILL GO TOWARDS TO CAUSE. 
FIND OUT MORE HERE...