Do you need your force awakened this May? PinBuild Career Clinics for May

'MAY the force be with you' in your search for a new job or in your decision making process to ensure you make the right next step in your career. If you need something to awaken the force and make it strong in you, then we might be able to help you to reach out with your feelings and become more powerful than you could've ever imagine!

So, perhaps you should take advantage of a FREE evaluation of your career, gain expert guidance on your next move and a look at suitable current vacancies. 

Interested...? Arrange to attend our PinBuild Career Development Clinics this May. No need for light sabers though!

This could be the most important appointment of your career so far...

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

May clinic dates

• Tuesday 10th May - Reading 
• Thursday 12th  May - Notts/Derby 
• Tuesday 17th May - Dartford             
• Thursday 19th  May - Birmingham
• Tuesday 24th May - Scotch Corner
• Thursday 26th May - London

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.' Our other partner is the wonderful Lighthouse Club, who look after people and families from the industry who have suffered from illness, injury or death. 

Job in Focus: International Specification Sales Manager for Bathroom Products - £80k + car/bonus/benefits

Our latest Job in Focus is a fantastic and rare opportunity to become the International Specification Sales Manager for a high-end manufacturer of KBB products, leading global projects within the hospitality and leisure markets, by managing a team of London A&D field sales representatives and in EMEA countries.

Includes regular international travel.

Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & 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: International Specification Sales Manager
Job Ref: J7450
Product: Bathroom Products
Location: Based in London
Salary: £80k plus bonus, car, pension and benefits

EMPLOYER: A well respected and global manufacturer of luxury bathroom products with a reputation for outstanding product offering and quality of service and with a presence on more than 6 continents. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: International Specification Manager: This exciting role will be instrumental in developing brand presence and growth across Europe, Middle East and Africa. Based in London, this person will be responsible for leading a team of field sales representatives tasked with targeting the Capital's architect and designer community. The manager will be expected to win specification among the more prestigious A&D practices in London and across the globe with regular international travel required. Other key responsibilities include creating and managing a dedicated project sales and marketing strategy, managing budgets and control spending and providing supply chain and manufacturing teams with product forecast information. 

AREA: London but covering international with a focus on EMEA. Applicants should live in London or within easy commute of the Capital so ideally in Middlesex, Greater London, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Oxfordshire, West Sussex, East Sussex, Essex, Bedfordshire or Hampshire.

PERSON: The ideal candidate will come from a specification sales background from within the KBB or interiors product sector. They will be familiar with the major A&D organisations, and know how to communicate effectively with this highly influential group. They will also have an extensive network of contacts from within this group, both from within the London based practices but also internationally. The successful candidate will also have the gravitas and authority to interact with credibility with the A&D community. In addition, this person will have had meaningful experience in a leadership role and be comfortable working autonomously and be motivated by getting results. 

PACKAGE: On offer is a salary of £80,000 (potential more for the right candidate) plus bonus and car or car allowance, pension, laptop, mobile phone and 24 days plus bank holidays. 

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

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Wolseley UK encourage new and fresh Sales and Management talent

As a company that is keen to give opportunities to new talent in the building and construction industry, the latest 2016 sales graduate programme initiative from Wolseley UK is something we fully support and welcome. 

It is now open for submissions and expected to attract over 2,000 applications this year, the coveted 18-month scheme offers 10 talented graduates a brilliant career opportunity with the heating and plumbing distributor.

The programme immerses individuals into the Wolseley UK business and its brands such as Plumb Center, Pipe Center and Burdens. Divided into two sections, it offers training as well as practical experience from day one. The first six months are spent in branch, teaching graduates the ins and outs of branch operations management. This is an experience that shows first-hand how Wolseley UK offers customers top service.

MORE ON THE PROGRAMME HERE>>

The next 12 months are spent out in the field where graduates have the opportunity to strengthen their business, management and sales skills through various training options, courses and shadowing opportunities with Wolseley UK employees. Graduates are also asked to develop a commercially focused piece of work, and will be given advice and the support necessary to make it a real success.

Wolseley UK HR director Sally-Anne Griffiths said: “We want to create a talent pipeline to meet the future needs of the business and our graduate programme plays an important role in that. The programme’s diverse training and on-the-job experience sets Wolseley UK apart in the industry and is one of the many reasons why we are an employer of choice.”

Kerri Morris, 25, from Solihull recently graduated from the 2014 programme and is now an ecommerce project manager with Wolseley UK. She said: “The graduate programme involves a lot of hands-on experience in branch and in the warehouse. From serving customers, stock management and building relationships with contracted customers, it’s fair to say no day was the same. I also had the opportunity to meet and work with senior management and understand the workings of the business.”

Graduate or not, if you are interested in building a sales career for heating and plumbing products, Pinnacle Consulting can help you >>

CPA reveal positive Q1 sales for construction productions but is 'Brixit' the new 'Brexit' for the industry!!??

The Construction Products Association’s latest State of Trade Survey reports a positive performance in sales of construction products in the first quarter of 2016 as sales increased for a twelfth consecutive quarter. However, manufacturers’ optimism is showing signs of sliding due to uncertainty surrounding the EU referendum in June. 

Perhaps Brexit should be renamed Brixit (or Bricksit) for the building and construction industry!

Key points include:

• A balance of 31% of heavy side firms and 13% of light side firms reported that sales rose during the first quarter of 2016, compared to respective balances of 5% and 38% in the fourth quarter of 2015
• 38% of heavy side firms and 13% of light side firms reported an annual increase in sales
• Exports increased for 14% of heavy side firms and 50% of light side firms compared to a year earlier
• 38% of heavy side product manufacturers and 29% of light side product manufacturers reported that they anticipate a rise in total sales over the next quarter and next 12 months
• 71% of heavy side firms and 60% of light side firms anticipate a rise in exports during the next year
• Annual cost increases were reported by 35% of heavy side firms and 14% of light side firms
• Manufacturers reported that wages and salaries were reported higher by all heavy side firms and 71% of light side firms

Rebecca Larkin, CPA Senior Economist, said:  “It is encouraging that after a couple of quarters of muted activity, heavy side manufacturers reported stronger sales growth in Q1.  Light side manufacturers opened 2016 a little weaker, but this is likely to be a hangover as the slowdown reported by the heavy side at the end of last year filters through to light side activity – typically towards the end of the building process.

“Compared to the fourth quarter of 2015, a balance of 31% of heavy side firms reported a rise in sales in Q1.  This increased from 13% in Q3 and 5% in Q4.  On the light side, 13% of firms reported a rise in Q1 quarterly sales, down from 38% in Q4.

Latest UK construction products sales jobs >>

“Manufacturers’ optimism for Q2 and for the next 12 months has been dented by uncertainty in the run-up to the EU referendum in June.  On balance, 38% of heavy side firms and 29% of those on the light side anticipate a rise in sales in Q2.  These balances mark the lowest sentiment in three years and signpost a slowdown in growth as we approach the vote.

“One favourable side effect of the referendum uncertainty has been the depreciation in Sterling, which has resulted in increased exports for product manufacturers.  On the heavy side, 71% of manufacturers anticipate an increase in export sales over the year, a view shared by 60% of light side firms.  This will provide a welcome fillip if domestic demand pauses as manufacturers expect.”

Photo: Houses under construction at a modern building site in England, United Kingdom. Image ID:163820348
Copyright: CatchaSnap. Shutterstock.

UK Construction sector 'cautious' despite reporting an upturn in business during March

Construction output in the is still expanding and during March UK construction companies indicated a sustained upturn in overall business activity, but the less encouraging news is that the pace of expansion remained relatively subdued in comparison to the trends seen for much of the past three years.

This largely reflected a further moderation in new business growth, with the latest increase the weakest since April 2015. Meanwhile, job creation also softened across the construction sector in March and sub-contractor usage dropped for the second month running.

At 54.2 in March, the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI® ) posted above the neutral 50.0 value for the thirty-fifth month running. However, the latest reading was unchanged since February and indicated the joint-slowest rate of output growth since June 2013. Sub-sector data highlighted that faster rises in commercial work and civil engineering activity were offset by another slowdown in residential building. The latest increase in housing activity was only marginal and the weakest recorded since January 2013.

Slower growth of incoming new work continued to act as a brake on construction output in March. Reports from survey respondents cited a generally supportive economic backdrop, but some noted that greater uncertainty about the business outlook had resulted in more cautious spending patterns among clients. Reflecting this, latest data signalled the weakest rise in new work received across the construction sector since the pre-election slowdown in April 2015.

March data highlighted greater caution among construction companies in terms of their staff hiring, with the rate of employment growth easing to its slowest since June 2013. At the same time, subcontractor usage decreased at a slightly steeper pace than in February, which contributed to the least marked rise in sub-contractor charges for just over two-and-a-half years.

A softer upturn in overall workloads across the construction sector led to another slowdown in input buying growth. Moreover, the latest increase in purchasing activity was the weakest since April 2015. Suppliers’ delivery times lengthened again in March, but input cost inflation moderated for the second month running to its weakest since February 2010.

Looking ahead, the majority of survey respondents (51%) expect a rise in business activity at their units over the next 12 months, while only 11% forecast a reduction. While this signalled that UK construction companies remain optimistic about their prospects for growth, the overall degree of confidence was the joint-lowest since December 2014.

Commenting on the report, David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “There was little comfort to be had this month, as the construction sector was awash with caution and hesitancy not seen since the pre-election lull of 2015. Clients were unwilling to commit to new contracts or expand existing work, meaning that new business growth was at its most fragile since April 2015.

“Where the housing sector was once the star of the show, it became the weakest performer in March. And hopes for more positive employment news were dashed, as the rate of growth in staffing levels slowed to a pace last seen in June 2013; and amidst a landscape of continuing skills shortages after the end of the recession.

“Though activity and new work slowed, construction firms enjoyed the slowest rate of cost increases for just over six years, largely due to ongoing falls in commodity prices. There was evidently a loss of momentum in the sector, though cautious optimism was sustained as a result of encouraging domestic economic conditions, but against a background of some political uncertainty.”


Picture via Shutterstock: Business man drawing on construction site Image ID:123013987 Copyright: Bennyartist

The fall and rise of the Window and Door fabrication market...but for how long?

The window and door fabrication market has turned from steady decline over several years to growth since 2013. In 2015 it was estimated to have grown by 3% with prospects of further growth over the next 5 years.

Our clients in this sector have also confirmed this growth, although the future of this competitive market is quite dependent on the replacement market in the residential sector. As a result, many fabricators have been enhancing and broadening their range offering and developing their sales and marketing teams to ensure that they maintain and make the most of the growth opportunities available.

A new report by AMA Research takes a detailed look at the size, sectors, trends, prospects and key drivers of this still important market of the building industry. 

Summary of report
Key defining factors in this market in 2015-16 are: market maturity (in particular for the domestic replacement market), fragmentation, competition, cost-management, building legislation, ‘green’ building, tough market conditions and diversification. The development of the economy is also a key factor to the glazing sector, impacting on consumer confidence, housebuilding, public spending and commercial construction output.

There is significant over-capacity in the industry resulting in an intensely competitive market, especially in the PVCu sector - prices and margins remain under pressure as companies compete for business.

The supply structure remains very fragmented, comprising a mix of vertically integrated retail glazing companies, PVCu trade fabricators and fabricator/installers, aluminium systems fabricator/installers, bespoke glazing contractors, composite door manufacturers, commercial glazing specialists, roof light manufacturers, steel window manufacturers and major joinery companies etc. 

Closures and acquisitions/mergers continue to be a feature of the market in 2015-16, but in lower numbers than experienced during the recession and noted in the last edition of this report. In particular, there has been further rationalisation among national retail companies; a sector where change has often been a feature, and where corporate ownership is a key focus for change latterly. The aluminium sector has experienced a period of consolidation, but remains the largest supplier of windows and doors to the commercial sector. It has lost its position as a major supplier of domestic windows and doors as the market is mostly now PVCu. 

If you are looking for a new sales job in the building materials industry, please take a look at the very best sales jobs currently on offer >>

In 2016, the prospects for this industry in the immediate term remain relatively good -although a volatile economy in early 2016 casts some uncertainty over short term prospects. However, the UK is performing relatively well and a steady improvement in the glazing market in the medium term is anticipated. The UK market for residential windows is very competitive and is likely to remain so, though within the next few years we expect capacity and demand to become more balanced as demand from the housebuilding sector continues to expand, resulting in less pressure on supplier prices and profitability. Ultimately, the industry is mature and, in the longer term, heavily dependent on replacement demand in the residential sector, supported by new build activity in key non-residential markets.

You can buy the report by contacting AMA at sales@amaresearch.co.uk

Job in Focus for April: National Sales Director for Interior Finish Products - £70k

Our Job in Focus for April is superb National Sales Director's position for Interior Finishing Products. 

You would be responsible for driving sales and leading a team of 5 for a renowned and long established family owned business. The role would target high-end independent boutique retailers and some nationals too.

Our Construction & Building Industry Job in Focus feature takes a detailed look at some of the fantastic sales & 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: J7289
Product: Interior Finish
Location: London & South East
Salary: £70k

COMPANY: A Prestigious family owned business renowned for exceptional quality, with a reputation for excellence and a long established history of producing high end, premium products for Interior Finishing. 

ROLE: Sales Director - You will be tasked with driving sales and profitability, leading a sales team of 5 in developing sales of our client's fantastic product portfolio, targeting Independent Boutique Retail and some National partners. The role will involve key strategic input and delivery as well as hands on coaching, management and development of the team. 

AREA: National - Candidates will be located in London or surrounding home counties including Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Surrey, Kent, Sussex, Essex and surrounding areas. 

PERSON: We are seeking an experienced sales leader with proven experience in a strategic management capacity, with a track record in devising and delivering a comprehensive sales strategy. You will be experienced in leading and managing a field sales team supplying a reseller channel, ideally Independent Retail. Furthermore, any exposure to selling a premium branded product would be beneficial, but not essential. Ideal backgrounds include: high value consumer goods, Appliances, KBB, Furniture, Furnishings, Wallcovering, Paints or Decorative Products. 

BENEFITS: £70,000 + Excellent Bonus Scheme, Company Car, Private Healthcare and Pension 

To apply, please contact Steve Brennan on 01480 405 225 or apply online.

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