NEW Job in Focus: Head of Sales (DIY Sector) for award winning Bathroom Products brand - £75k

Our new Job in Focus is fantastic opportunity to work for a supplier of luxury, award winning and innovative bathroom products. As Head of Sales (DIY Sector) you would be responsible for growing and developing brand awareness and sales in this competitive market place. 

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: Head of Sales - DIY Sector
Job Ref: J7814
Product: Bathroom Products
Location: National
Salary: £75k

LUXURY KBB BRAND SEEKS HEAD OF DIY TO DRIVE SALES THROUGH MAJOR CHAINS 

PACKAGE: £40K-£75K plus 23% bonus, company car, healthcare, pension, mobile phone, laptop and 25 days plus bank holidays 

EMPLOYER: Arguably one of the leading brands in the bathroom sector and prize-winners of numerous sustainability and innovation awards. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: HEAD OF DIY: Reporting to the UK General Manager this role is focused on leading the sales growth of the company's DIY marketshare by working in collaboration with the sales team and marketing departments to gain new business opportunities and grow existing accounts. Other responsibilities include delivering measurable business benefits over the short, medium and longer term, as well as reporting on customer, market and competitor activity, raising market awareness of DIY products, services and solutions and being the single point of contact within the company for the DIY sector. 

AREA: Covering nationally but with a focus on London and the South East this person should live in London, Greater London, Middlesex, Kent, West Sussex, East Sussex, Surrey, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire, Essex, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, North Somerset or Dorset 

PERSON: To be considered for this position you need to be a high calibre field sales professional with experience targeting the DIY market. The client will either consider a KAM manager looking to take a step up into a NAM role or an existing NAM but it is key that you have managed business with the major DIY chains. Additionally, you should be a team player and an excellent rapport builder from within the construction sales market. 

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

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Is Brexit deconstructing the industry?

The EU is falling apart but will
the Construction Industry follow?

The construction industry has stopped growing, fuelled by the uncertainty and fears in the lead up to the EU 'remain or leave' vote.

New figures - according to the latest survey released by Markit and the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) - show that construction output in June fell at its fastest pace since the doom and gloom during the height of the financial crisis way back in 2009. 

The Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) shows a drop in new business from 51.2 in May to 46.0 in June (anything below 50 indicates a contraction). Slower demand has lead to a drop in purchasing activity for the first time in just over three years.

The weakest performing sector was residential construction, despite record house prices and a lack of supply. Commercial building work also suffered a sharp loss of momentum as new projects did not start to replace those that were coming to completion.

Civil engineering was the only sector not to record a fall in output.

Many respondents to the survey of construction industry managers pinpointed the uncertainty ahead of the EU referendum as a key reason for the slowdown, with more than 80 per cent of the poll carried out before the Brexit decision last Thursday.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: “Widespread delays to investment decisions and housing market jitters saw the UK construction sector experience its worst month for seven years in June.”

The economist stated that this could be more than a short-term, referendum-related blip. “The extent and speed of the downturn in the face of political and economic uncertainty is a clear warning flag for the wider post-Brexit economic outlook,” he cautioned.

“The worry is that the ensuing political turmoil will hit construction spending decisions for some time to come,” Mr Moore said. This feeling has been echoed in other industries in recent days.

As PMI figures are based on hard data about purchasing in the construction industry they are seen as a good predictive measure of things to come.

Lets hope that this is not the case and it is just a minor knock of confidence. However, the due to the result of the referendum and the even greater uncertainty now created, the industry might be in a state of limbo for a while yet.

Our message is that the foundations of our industry are still in place, and that we should continue to build on it to prosper rather than let BREXIT deconstruct all the hard work of the industry.

Ridgeons celebrate the importance of good recruitment and having dedicated employees

It is always good to hear of companies that recruit well and retain their staff, allowing employees to develop as people and in their career. 

The Ridgeon Group is renowned for this and they recently hosted two celebratory award ceremonies honouring 71 employees at its annual Long Service Awards.

Hosted at Ridgeons’ Green Light Centre in Pampisford, Cambridge, this year saw a record-breaking 1,165 years of combined service celebrated; with 18 branches represented.

Now in its 19th year, the internal awards recognise employees who have dedicated 10, 15 and 20 years of service to the independent timber and builders’ merchant.

Nineteen members of staff reached 10 years of service, 53 employees achieved 15 years, and nine members of the team celebrated 20 years of service.

Ridgeons awarded employees with certificates in handmade frames from its Forest Products division. Employees reaching the career milestones were also granted access to exclusive company benefits.

Gordon Ridgeon, PR director for the Ridgeon Group, said: “Strong relationships are at the core of our business, and continuity of service allows us to maintain relationships with our customers and communities. It is very uplifting for the family and directors to get together with some of our outstanding employees to celebrate their great milestones.

“The Long Service Awards are the perfect opportunity for us to thank our employees for their continued hard work and recognise each as being an extremely important part of the Ridgeon Group’s total team. On behalf of all the family and directors, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks and congratulations to all those recognised at the awards ceremonies.”

Reaching 10 years of service, Ian Clarke, an operations supervisor, attended his first awards ceremony. He added: “The day was fantastic, it was great to see so many of my colleagues’ long careers at Ridgeons being celebrated. Ridgeons is a great team to be a part of and I’m proud to be associated with the company.”

JOB IN FOCUS: Sales Director for Structural Building Products - £75k OTE

Our latest Job in Focus for July is national Sales Director role for a manufacturer of structural building products. You would be responsible for developing the sales team and sales strategy. A focus on effectively selling roofing, cladding and insulation products via specification to architects would be beneficial.

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: J7640
Product: Roofing
Location: National
Salary: £65k

Sales Director for Manufacturer of structural building products. 

Package: £55K - £65K with £65K - £75K OTE. Company Car, Mobile, Laptop, Pension. 

Employer: A long established manufacturer with a prestigious brand name in the market. An excellent opportunity to join a business well known for its retention of staff and enjoying a period of growth due to market and product innovation. 

Job Description: Reporting directly to the managing director you will be responsible for the sales function of the business including working with the board to devise a sales strategy based on market information. You will look to boost sales through the development of staff and management while implementing a successful growth strategy. 

Area: National role - Candidates can live anywhere in the UK ideally based northern such as Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham, Glasgow etc. 

Person: We are seeking an established sales manager with experience of driving a sales team as well as constructing and implementing a sales strategy. Product knowledge is not essential however candidates from an insulation, roofing or cladding background is preferred. The ideal candidate would also have knowledge of developing business via specification with architects but again not essential. 

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

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>

FREE Career Clinics for Construction Products Sales Professionals this July

Fingers crossed after a false start that here comes the summer! If you want to bring sunshine to your life in more ways than one, a new job is often a good start. 

And if you are looking to progress your career in construction sales or marketing, 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 July. 

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

July clinic dates

• Tuesday 12th July - Coventry 
• Wednesday 13th July - Bristol 
• Tuesday 19th July - Guildford             
• Thursday 21st July - Notts/Derby Holiday Inn
• Tuesday 26th July - Leeds
• Wednesday 27th July - Stoke

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. 

Let's hear it for the girls in the builders merchant sector! (includes video)

The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has signed up to the Young Women's Trust employer pledge and aims to double the number of women and girls entering the merchant industry by 2020.

This is great news and only goes to confirm the increasing amount of women we are placing in sales and marketing jobs in the building and construction industry in recent times.

It is a shame that presently only 11% of merchanting apprentices are female, but the BMF announcement - following figures released by CITB which show that 232,000 jobs will be created in construction industry over the next 5 years and the findings of the charity the Young Women's Trust which has found that over 1 million women aged between 16 and 30 are in poorly paid roles and looking for work - is perfect timing and very encouraging.

BMF managing director John Newcomb, said: "Merchanting is a fantastic career with great progression and I want to open up the sector to more women across the country. This is a huge opportunity for our members who need a full mix of skills and experience in their branches and I am certain that we will meet, if not exceed, our ambitious target." 

A recent survey by the Young Women's Trust found that occupational segregation by gender is significant and is going backwards. For example, women comprise 94% of childcare apprenticeships but just under 4% of all engineering apprenticeships. These sectors are generally lower paid with women on apprenticeships earning on average 21% less than men on comparable apprenticeships. 

The BMF is already targeting women through its youth recruitment campaign, a central point of which is the website www.merchant-recruitment.co.uk which features several young women who are already making their mark in the industry. 

The BMF has now signed up to the following pledge: "The BMF recognises the value of gender diversity and will take action to increase the representation of young women in our apprenticeship programmes." 

If you would like a career in sales and marketing in the building industry, contact us today on 01480 405225 or recruit@pinnacleconsulting.co.uk

Images: BMF

232,000 jobs to be created in the construction industry by 2020

Earlier in the year the CITB called for more apprentices when they released figures that forecast annual average growth of 2.5% for the next five years – and a massive 232,000 jobs to be created, additionally the CITB’s Construction Skills Network (CSN) report – the industry’s most comprehensive and up-to-date – predicts sustained growth from 2016-2020, driven by infrastructure and private housing.

This does not only mean that more builders and construction experts and consultants are needed, but it is also great news for manufacturers, distributors and merchants, and all job functions involved in manufacturing, transporting, distributing, selling, promoting, specifying, and installing the products, including the equipment used to do it!

Steve Radley, Director of Policy & Partnerships at the CITB, said, "All types of training, and especially apprenticeships, will be vital to delivering this pipeline of work. This positive forecast should inspire more people to start apprenticeships, and more firms to take them on."

New nuclear power stations at Hinkley Point, Somerset, and Wylfa, Anglesey, alongside rail projects such as Crossrail and HS2, will drive year-on-year infrastructure growth of 6.1%.

The commercial construction sector will experience growth of 3.4% per annum, while private housebuilding will also experience sustained growth across the forecast period. Output in the housebuilding is expected return to pre-recession levels by the end of the forecast period, reaching £26bn by 2020. 

UK construction growth is set to be fourth in Europe up to 2017, with British builders outstripping those in Germany, France and Spain.*

Annual growth is predicted in all the UK’s regions and nations up to 2020, with Wales faring best with year-on-year growth of 7.1%, followed by the South West (4.4%), London (3.5%), and the North West (2.6%).

In response to the ongoing skills challenge, the CITB is in 2016 launching a series of new partnerships with local and regional training providers to make sure the right training takes place where it is needed most.

It is also continuing to work closely with the construction industry to further develop Go Construct, an industry-led web portal, to showcase the opportunities in the industry and encourage more people to join the sector. This should help construction firms recruit the talent they need to grow, and help workers learn about all of the great career opportunities available.

Steve Radley, Director of Policy at the Construction Industry Training Board, said:

"We can’t build the Britain we want without growing apprenticeships – and the careers they lead onto. That’s why it is vital that these new statistics, showing solid, sustained growth, inspire more people join the construction industry.

"We also want to attract workers who have left the industry to return, and upskill those currently in the sector, so we can deliver major projects and new housing faster and better."

Employment Minister Priti Patel said:

"With record employment and rising numbers of people working in construction, this is a fantastic time to take up apprenticeships and gain practical experience.

"We’ve got Britain building again with a 25% increase in the number of new homes delivered over the past year alone and construction workers are benefiting from growing wages too – giving families the security of a regular pay check."

If you'd like a sales or marketing job in the construction industry, we can help. Find out more here>>

*Source: Euroconstruct Summer Conference, June 12 2015.

BKU Awards will celebrate all that is great about the KBB industry

One of the most welcome new events to the industry in recent times is the BKU Awards, launched last year by Kitchen Update Magazine. The awards are designed to recognise the retailers, brands, people and services that make the KBB industry such a vibrant and great one to be part of.

The 2016 Awards is almost upon us and will take place at Shakespeare’s iconic Globe Theatre in London Thursday 23 June, hosted by Paul Sinha, star of ITV’s day time quiz show, The Chase.

Situated directly beneath Shakespeare’s Globe theatre, the Underglobe is one of the most unique and flexible events spaces in London.


By day it serves as the Globe’s Shakespeare exhibition; by night it is transformed into a 
dedicated events venue, perfect for awards ceremonies and gala dinners – and on Thursday 23 June 2016, it will play host to the BKU Awards!

You can book to attend here.

After four weeks of voting and a record breaking number of over 10,000 votes, we are happy to announce the shortlisted companies in each category.


The winners with the most votes overall will be announced at the awards evening.

Make sure you're there to see who wins!

If you are looking for a new sales and marketing job in the KBB industry, you can find out more here.

THE FINALISTS

BATHROOM BRAND AWARDS
Best Shower Brand

• Acquabella
• Artésan by Claygate
• Frontline
• Hansgrohe
• JT
• Vado

Best Sanitaryware Brand

• Aquaceramica Italia by Frontline
• Duravit
• RAK Ceramics
• Roca
• VitrA

Best Taps Brand

• Crosswater
• Grohe
• Hansgrohe
• Methven
• Vado

Best Furniture Brand

• Aquatrend by Frontline
• HiB
• Roca
• Roper Rhodes
• Utopia
• Villeroy & Boch

Best Accessories Brand

• Croydex
• HiB
• Keuco
• RAK Ceramics
• Vado

  
RETAIL AWARD
Independent Bathroom Retailer of the Year

• Abbey Kitchens & Bathrooms
• Bathroom Trading Company
• Not Just Kitchen Ideas
• Stone & Chrome
• UK Bathroom Warehouse
• Independent Kitchen Retailer of the Year
• Abbey Kitchens & Bathrooms
• Diane Berry Kitchens
• KTF Home Improvements Ltd
• Not Just Kitchen Ideas
• Rencraft

Multiple Retailer of the Year

• B&Q
• CP Hart
• HPS
• Premier Kitchens & Bedrooms 
• Ripples

New Kitchen Retailer of the Year

• Lewis James
• Moiety Kitchens
• Portfolio Kitchens (Manchester)
• Richard & Richard’s Design & Installation Specialists
• Snug Kitchens (Newbury)

New Bathroom Retailer of the Year

• Baden Bathrooms
• Beyond Bathrooms
• Green Stone
• Pure Bathrooms North West
• The Bathroom Cellar

Kitchen Showroom of the Year

• Alex Lee Kitchens
• Diane Berry Kitchens
• Portfolio Kitchens (Manchester)
• Rencraft (Tunbridge Wells)
• The Design Yard (Dublin)

Bathroom Showroom of the Year

• Bathroom Trading Company (Maidstone)
• Hobsons Choice Swindon
• Modern Homes (Leamington Spa)
• Spencers Designs Ltd
• Stone & Chrome

BEST KITCHEN BRANDS

Best Appliances Brand

• AEG
• Bosch
• Miele
• NEFF
• Smeg

Best Worksurfaces Brand

• Bushboard
• Egger
• Granite Transformations
• Karonia
• Silestone by Cosentino

Best Taps Brand

• Blanco
• Franke
• Grohe
• Hansgrohe
• Quooker

Best Components Brand

• BA Components
• Blum
• Hafele
• TKC
• Uform

Best Sinks Brand

• Astracast
• Blanco
• Franke
• Perrin & Rowe
• RAK Ceramics

Best Overall Kitchen Brand

• BA Components
• Masterclass Kitchens
• Rotpunkt
• TKC
• Uform

GENERAL AWARDS

Best Distributor

• Claygate
• Frontline Bathrooms
• Q4 Bathrooms
• Smiths Briten
• TKC

Best Software Brand

• 2020
• Articad 
• Compusoft
• EQ Software
• Virtual World by Logicom

Best Heating Brand

• Bisque
• JIS
• Tissino
• Vogue UK
• Warmup
• Best Flooring Brand
• Amtico
• Karndean Designflooring
• Porcelenosa 
• Quick Step
• RAK Ceramics

Best Overall Brand

• BA Components
• Claygate
• Frontline
• TKC
• Uform

PEOPLE AWARDS

Best Sales Representative

• Brian Dunne (Uform)
• Helen Casewell (AEG)
• Joby Hardman (Hansgrohe)
• Mark Mcnulty (Uform)
• Neil Swallow (Frontline)
• Best Customer Service
• Keeva Mcerlain (Uform)
• Kelly Mckenna (Uform)
• Kerry Fuller (Claygate)
• Kristina Manktelow (Claygate)
• Rich Keohane (Vado)

Lifetime Achievement

• To be announced on the night

Figures show UK April construction output bounces back after weak first quarter

In April 2016, output in the construction industry was estimated to have increased by 2.5% compared with March 2016 according to figures from the ONS. The output bounce back more than it was expected  to be in April following surprisingly upbeat industrial data earlier this week, suggesting the economy might have started the second quarter on more steady ground.

The Office for National Statistics said the rise in construction output, which makes up 6 percent of the economy, was the biggest monthly increase since January 2014 and surpassed economists' expectations for a 1.7 percent increase.

• All new work increased by 2.9% and all repair and maintenance increased by 1.9%.
• Compared with April 2015, output in the construction industry decreased by 3.7%.
• The underlying pattern as suggested by the 3 month on 3 month movement in output in the construction industry decreased by 2.1%.
• New orders for the construction industry in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2016 were estimated to have decreased by 1.2% compared with Quarter 4 (Oct to Dec) 2015 and decreased by 1.2% compared with Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2015.

The second estimate of UK gross domestic product (GDP) for Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2016 published on 26 May 2016 included an estimate of construction which showed a decrease in output of 1.1% in Quarter 1 (Jan to Mar) 2016. This estimate has been not been revised in this release.

Output is defined as the amount charged by construction companies to customers for the value of work (produced during the reporting period) excluding VAT and payments to sub-contractors.

Construction output estimates are a short-term indicator of construction output by private sector and public corporations within Great Britain. Output estimates are produced and published at current prices (including inflationary price effects) and at chained volume estimates (with inflationary effects removed) both seasonally adjusted and non-seasonally adjusted.

Output in the Construction Industry

More details:

• All work increased by 2.5% compared with March 2016; this was the largest month-on-month increase since January 2014 when it increased by 3.8%
• All work decreased by 3.7% compared with April 2015
• In the 3 months (February 2016, March 2016, April 2016) compared with the previous 3 months (November 2015, December 2015, January 2016) all work decreased by 2.1%
• All new work increased by 2.9% compared with March 2016
• Repair and maintenance increased by 1.9% compared with March 2016