Job in Focus: National Sales role for Power Tools to Amazon - £60k OTE

Our latest Job in Focus is a National Account Manager role where you would be responsible for maximising sales and introducing new products via Amazon for a wide range of power tools and accessories. The package has a £60k OTE with additional benefits.

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 IN FOCUS FULL DETAIL

Job Title: National Account Manager
Job Ref: J10310
Product: Tools
Location: South West
Salary: £50k + 10k OTE

Manufacturer of tools managing one of our client key accounts in the form of Amazon. 

Package: Basic salary up to £50k plus £10k OTE as well as car allowance, mobile phone, laptop and additional company benefits. 

Company: A fantastic chance to join a growing manufacturer in the power tool and accessory sector offering a great opportunity to help shape the business moving forward after promising growth figures over the past number of years. 

Role: The position is for a National Account Manager with a focus on selling a range of power tool lines to Amazon as an account. Tasked with bringing on maximising sales and introducing new product ranges where necessary. A number of product ranges from low cost to high end premium power tools are offered across the product range allowing the company to compete at all levels in the market. 

Area: The position would be communicating at all levels of the customer base Nationally however you will be required to attend regular meetings and sales conferences at the companies head office in Somerset. Candidates should ideally be located within two hours commute - Ideally based in Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Devon, Gloucestershire, Wales, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire, West Midlands, Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey. 

Candidates: We are looking for a highly motivated and professional individual with experience dealing with Amazon at a Key Account level. A proven track record of managing major accounts on a national basis is key to the position with a strong sales ability and high level of commercial acumen highly valued. Product knowledge of tools and accessories would be beneficial but not required however candidates must have an exposure to managing accounts in the retail, DIY or national merchant sectors. 


For further information on this exciting opportunity contact Ben Mckinnell on 01480 405225 or apply online.

BMJ Awards Finalists Announced!

The Builders Merchants sector is one of the areas of the building industry which has been doing very well in the last year or so. 

We are delighted to help promote the inaugural BMJ Industry Awards next month, especially with the final, shortlist for the ceremony just being announced. The actual winners will be revealed at the Awards Lunch on Friday, May 18th at the Brewery in Chiswell Street, London.

The companies and brands on the final list are:

Best Bathroom Brand
Methven, Lakes Bathrooms, Roca, Bristan

Best Distributor
Ideal Bathrooms, Encon, Everbuild, Claygate

Best Heating Brand
Amber Underfloor Heating , Worcester Bosch, Baxi,  Stelrad Radiators

Best Heavy side Brand
ACO Technologies, Ibstock,  Imperial Bricks ,   Isover

Best Kitchen Brand
Rixonway , Moores, Blanco, BA Clic

Best Landscaping Brand
Brett Paving , Azpects Ltd,   Stonemarket , Digby Stone

Best Plumbing Brand
Baxi , John Guest,  Wavin

Best Roofing Brand
IKO, Keylite Roof Windows,, Norbord   Marley Eternit

Best Timber Brand
Norbord, Covers Timber, Arbor Forest Products,   SCA Merchant Services

Best Customer Service
Amy Sellers – SCA Timber, Cassey Behm – Methven,
Martin Walker – Chandler Material Supplies,  Nora Conlan – Jaga Heating Products

Best Sales Rep
Lyndsey Makin – Methven, John Gaunt – Knauf Insulation,
Becky Brian – Howarth Timber & Builder Supplies, Roy Selby – Azpects Ltd

Industry Personality of the year
Stuart Mason-Elliott – Elliotts, Andy Williamson- IKO,  Paul Bence – Bence Builders Merchants,  Tim Pollard – Pollard2Pollard

National Rising Star of the year
Alex Bagnall – Keyline Peterborough, Dionne Allard – City Plumbing Supplies, Katy Monk – City
Plumbing Supplies

Independent Rising Star of the year
Jessica Kelsey – Alsford Timber, Karli Mallard – Ridgeons , James Tristram – EH Smith,  Lee Davies – LBS Builders Merchants

Online Merchant of the year
My Paint Brush, Parker Building Supplies,  Chandler Material Supplies

New Merchant of the year
Bence Roofing, London Lintels, MGN Builbers Merchants

Multiple Merchant of the year (10-100 branches)
Ridgeons, RGB, Elliotts Builders Merchants,  EH Smith, Bradfords Building Supplies

Independent Merchant of the year (1-10 branches)
George Bence Group, GPH Builders Merchants, Coomers Timber Building Supplies Chandler
Material Supplies

Best Merchant Showroom
Elliotts Living Spaces – Romsey,
EH Smith Builders Merchants – New Brick Showroom, Shirley
Ridgeons – Nuffield Road Cambridge,
George Bence Group t/a Obsidian Kitchens & Bathrooms,
Nicholls Bicester Kitchen and Bathroom Solutions

Best Merchant Marketing Campaign of the year
Elliotts – 175 campaign,
EH Smith Builders Merchants – New branch launch, EH Smith Castle Bromwich,
Wolseley – Zombie Boilers,
George Bence Group – Bence Rewards

To book your place at the event, go to: http://bmjindustryawards.co.uk/tickets/

Construction Products Manufacturing freezes in Q1 2018

The CPA’s State of Trade Survey for 2018 Q1 shows that the £56 billion UK construction products manufacturing industry suffered a weak start to 2018, in a quarter that combined the liquidation of Carillion and several days of disrupted activity due to snow and freezing temperatures.

Heavy side manufacturers recorded the lowest balance in five years with 15% of firms reporting a decline in sales in Q1, following a previous quarter of falling sales in 2017 Q4. For light side manufacturers, no firms on balance reported either an increase or a decrease, which was the weakest performance since 2013 Q2. Construction product sales act as an early indicator of wider construction activity and these results signal a noticeable dip in total industry output for Q1.

Manufacturers anticipate a return to growth in the coming quarters, but rising costs continue to act as a headwind. 90% of heavy side manufacturers and 84% of those on the light side reported a rise in raw materials costs in Q1, whilst the same proportions reported an increase in wages and salaries. In addition, fuel costs rose for 90% of heavy side manufacturers.

Rebecca Larkin, CPA Senior Economist said: “It was always unlikely that heavy side manufacturers would avoid the snow disruption, with aggregates quarries unable to operate and pauses in activities such as groundworks and bricklaying affecting demand for products and materials from construction sites. In addition, manufacturing capacity in this energy-intensive sector of the industry is likely to have been temporarily reduced by the National Grid’s gas deficit warning at the beginning of March.

“It appears from the forward-looking indicators that Q1 was just a weather-related blip, as 42% of heavy side manufacturers anticipate sales rising in Q2 and 37% see sales rising over the next 12 months. However, no light side manufacturers expect sales to increase in the next quarter and only 16% anticipate a rise over the course of the year, likely to reflect the lagged impact of any pauses in activity in Q1 on demand for these non-structural and finishing products that tend to be used nearer the end of the building process.”

Key survey findings include:

• A balance of 15% of heavy side firms reported that construction product sales fell in the first quarter of 2018 compared with the fourth quarter of 2017. No light side firms, on balance, reported a rise in sales in Q1
• On an annual basis, sales decreased for 5% of heavy side firms but rose for 10% of firms on the light side, on balance
• On balance, 37% of heavy side manufacturers anticipated a rise in sales in the next year, increasing from a zero balance in the previous quarter
• On the light side, 16% of firms expected an increase in product sales in the next year, compared to a balance of 10% in 2017 Q4
• Annual cost increases were reported by 90% of manufacturers on the heavy side and 79% on the light side
• Raw materials costs rose according to 90% of heavy side manufacturers and 84% of those on the light side
• 68% of heavy side manufacturers and 67% of light side manufacturers anticipate a rise in costs over the next 12 months.

Image: Shutterstock

Snow stops play for the Construction sector

For the Australian cricket team, ball-tampering stopped play and halted their success, but in the construction sector snow stopped play during March! The weather in March caused the fastest drop in activity since 2016 according to the latest PMI. Hopefully, as construction workers come back to play with the improving weather output will hit the weather back over the boundary for six!

Supply chains were “woefully unprepared” for the unusually bad weather, which was the key factor behind the drop in construction output. Snow-related disruptions had a particularly bad impact on civil engineering projects, the report said.

The CIPS/IHS Markit UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) fell to 47.0 in March, down from 51.4 in February. It is the first time in six months that the index has fallen below the no-change score of 50. The index is compiled through a monthly survey of buyers – a score above 50 represents growth, while a score below indicates contraction.

Duncan Brock, group director of CIPS, said: “Snow stopped play in March, as the unseasonal weather restricted overall activity, lengthened delivery times and triggered the fastest drop in new orders since July 2016.

“It’s a few years since the UK experienced such bad weather in March, and it’s obvious that supply chains were woefully unprepared to deal with the disruptions.”

Brock added that while the March figures could be seen as a “temporary blip”, without a strong pipeline of work or strong risk strategies, the sector’s health remains in question.

While civil engineering and commercial activity were worst hit, housing became the best performer of the month. But growth here was still softer than most of 2017, likely caused by more systemic problems than the weather. Brock said: “Respondents also cited continuing Brexit-related uncertainty and disappointment over performance of the UK economy.”

There was some good news in the sector. Price inflation was the lowest since June 2016 as the impact of the weak pound has largely dissipated, and job creation was the strongest so far this year indicating optimism for the months ahead.

Manufacturing PMI figures for March were also released this week and indicated a steady rate of growth in the sector. The CIPS/IHS Markit Manufacturing PMI increased slightly to 55.1 in March, up from 55.0 in February. Brock said this was “a steady if unremarkable performance”.

Image from Shutterstock

Are you going to the NMBS Exhibition?

This Wednesday (11th April) sees one of the most important and popular events of the merchants' sectors calendar - The NMBS 2018 Exhibition. It will again be held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry.

Over 280 supplier and manufacturers are exhibiting at this years show, making it the biggest buying and selling event for Independent Builders, Hardware, Timber, Roofing, Plumbing and Heating Merchants.

This year there are many Exhibition Rebates on offer and to qualify you must ensure that you follow the simple steps correctly. The Promotional Voucher Book and Spot Buy Offers will again have many exciting offers and giveaways available at selected stands along with your free lunch and drink vouchers. To help with the planning of your visit, do take some time to look through the Show Guide at the Exhibitor list and Stand Plan as this will help you get the most out of your day.

If you are an independent merchant, make sure you attend and don't miss out. More information >>

If you are looking for a job in the builders' merchants sector, find out more here.

The number 16...

Each year on the anniversary of our establishment we like to reflect on something different to mark the occasion. This year - our 16th anniversary - we thought we’d look at the significance of the number 16.

We were amazed to discover that in Tarot the number 16 is the Tower card. So what, we hear you say!?!

Well…the Tower card symbolises great change. This could include moving on to something or someplace completely new. It also might be moving to a completely new location or another big change in life.

That is pretty spooky for a company providing recruitment services to individuals looking for new challenges and to improve their lives through making positive changes. 

But if you are looking for a change, make sure you act NOW…as in Tarot, reversed it indicates being stuck or being reluctant to make a change!

Perhaps there is something in this Tarot lark?!

16 years of helping people...
When you strip down all the misconceptions about the recruitment industry, ultimately recruitment - when done properly and with integrity - should be considered a vital human support service. 

The focus should be to help individuals achieve their dreams, reach their potential, and ensure they are able to support their families and enjoy life. And from the other side, seeing businesses grow, partially because of the calibre of people we have managed to match to their business is equally as rewarding. If that doesn’t make recruitment agency worthwhile industry, we don’t know what does. 

All the team here get a buzz when we make someone’s day by placing them in a role and at the same time solve a problem for a company. If that feeling ever stops, then we have failed our industry. 

We’d like to thank everyone who has worked for us and with us in the last 16 years.

So are you ready to gamble and shuffle your pack? 
If you would like to discuss a current recruitment requirement, please contact us on 01480 405225 or email recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

Take a look at our current vacancies >>

Job in Focus: National Specification Sales Job for Entrance Systems - £65k

Our new Job in Focus for April is superb specification sales job selling to architects and contractors on a national basis for Auto Doors and Entrance Systems. It is a cradle to grave role targeting Architects, Contractors & Local Authorities for residential, commercial and public sector projects. The package is worth £65k plus. 

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 IN FOCUS FULL DETAIL

Job Ref: J10172
Product: Entrance Systems
Location: National
Salary: £65k

LEADING MANUFACTURER OF AUTO DOORS TO ARCHITECTS AND CONTRACTORS 

PACKAGE: Up to £65k + bonus + Company Car + Pension + Laptop + Iphone + Healthcare + 25 days Holiday + Bank Holiday. 

EMPLOYER: Our client is a market leading manufacturer of Automatic doors and security systems selling to Architects and contractors. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: National Sales Manager: The focus of the role is to manage a team of 5 people who will be promoting our clients top of the range of automatic doors to Architects, Main Contractors, Sub Contractors, Local Authorities and Housing Associations to generate enquiries and specifications. This will be managing projects from cradle to grave, working on commercial, residential, Education, social housing, healthcare projects. A fantastic opportunity to join a true market leader in the sector. You will also be responsible for dealing with the larger accounts and key decision makers of major projects. 

LOCATION: Covering National ideally being based commutable to London 

CANDIDATE: Our client is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated field sales individual who has experience in managing a team. A strong background in the specification environment within the construction industry and have a proven track record of sales ability and performance with experience in specifying and selling a technically biased product. 

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