Job in Focus for February: Regional Sales Manager for Roofing Products via Specification - £50k + bonus

Our February Job in Focus is National Sales Management role for a rapidly growing supplier of roofing products. They require a specification sales professional to develop new business with contractors, architects, and installers. £50k plus bonus/car/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 Title: Regional Sales Manager
Job Ref: J8604
Product: Roofing
Location: National
Salary: £50k

Leading supplier of roofing products. Selling to contractors, architects, and installers. 

Package: Up to £50K plus bonus, Company Car, Mobile, Laptop, Pension. 

Company: Leading supplier offering a range of flat and pitched roofing products as well as related ancillaries. A rapidly growing business with extensive growth opportunities. 

The Job: A fantastic progressive opportunity. This will be heading up the flat roofing aspect of the business, you will be responsible for generating new business with contractors, architects, and installers. This role also encompasses developing and implementing the strategy for growth within this product range and as this side of the business grows it will have a team that you will form below you. 

Area: National role - Candidates can be based anywhere throughout the UK, however, someone based in Midlands or North would ideal such as Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle etc. 

Person: We are seeking a proven sales professional with experience selling flat roofing products and implementing a sales strategy/managed a team. The ideal candidate will have knowledge of specification however contractor facing candidates will also be considered. 

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

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

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>

Job creation in the construction industry at an eight month high but the price of materials increase sharply

The good news from a new survey is that UK’s builders increased their output in January, generating an 8-month high in job creation with healthy demand for new homes in particular driving this. However, there are signs of concern as growth slowed down a little on the month, and the price of construction materials increased sharply.

The Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI®) slipped from 54.2 in December to 52.2 in January. Any score of above 50 indicates growth, so the industry is still expanding but the pace of improvement has slowed down.

January data revealed a slowdown in construction sector growth, with business activity and incoming new work both expanding at weaker rates than at the end of 2016. Despite this, survey respondents signalled that confidence regarding the year-ahead outlook picked up to its strongest since December 2015, largely reflecting new project starts and a resilient economic backdrop. This contributed to the fastest rise in employment numbers since May 2016. Meanwhile, exchange rate depreciation against the euro and the US dollar resulted in the strongest rate of input cost inflation since August 2008.

The headline index signalled the weakest rise in overall business activity since the post-referendum recovery began in September 2016. All three sub-sectors (housing, commercial and civil engineering) recorded softer rates of output growth in January. Although housebuilding remained the best performing category, the latest expansion was the weakest for five months.

Slower growth of business activity largely reflected a moderation in new order gains at the start of 2017. The latest rise in new work was the least marked since October 2016. While some construction firms commented on a boost to sales from improving domestic economic conditions, there were also reports citing subdued willingness to spend among clients in January.

There were more positive trends in terms of staff hiring across the construction sector at the start of 2017, which survey respondents mainly attributed to planned project starts during the coming months. The latest increase in employment numbers was the fastest for eight months, while sub-contractor usage rose at the steepest pace since December 2015.

Stronger job creation also reflected a sustained improvement in business confidence among construction companies in January. More than half of the survey panel (51%) forecast a rise in business activity over the next 12 months, while only 7% anticipate a reduction. The index measuring construction firms’ year-ahead expectations has now picked up in five of the past six months.

Meanwhile, latest data indicated a modest rebound in input buying in response to increased workloads and forthcoming project starts. This resulted in greater pressure on supplier capacity, with lead times from vendors lengthening to the largest degree since June 2015.

Average cost burdens increased at the steepest pace for almost eight-and-a-half years in January. This was widely linked to rising prices for imported materials at the start of 2017.

David Noble, Group Chief Executive Officer at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: 

“Despite the biggest rise in input costs since August 2008, the sector was in buoyant mood at the start of the year, with the highest level of confidence since December 2015.

“Continuing cost pressures from the weak pound and escalating commodity prices failed to impact significantly on purchasing volumes , as input buying increased following last month’s slight fall while job creation rose to an eight-month high. Previously stalled projects and plans were given the go-ahead as the sector ensured sufficient staff resource was in place to meet future demand.

“However, the dark cloud on the horizon was the continuing pressures on supply chains. Material shortages, lengthening delivery times and supplier performance, the weakest since June 2015, could become a roadblock to the sector’s continuing growth.

“In the short term at least, the outlook is positive, as long as economic conditions remain supportive and firms are able to control their rising costs.”

Tim Moore, Senior Economist at IHS Markit and author of the Markit/CIPS Construction PMI®, said:

“UK construction firms experienced a subdued start to 2017, with all the key categories of activity losing momentum. While housebuilding retained its position as the fastest growing part of the construction sector, the latest upturn was the weakest since the post-referendum rebound emerged in September 2016.

“New business volumes also expanded at a softer pace in January, but there were more positive trends in terms of staff hiring and business optimism regarding the year-ahead outlook. The latest survey revealed an accelerated rise in payroll numbers at construction companies, as well as the fastest upturn in sub-contractor usage since the end of 2015. A number of survey respondents commented on a boost to their workloads from the resilient economic backdrop, alongside a strong pipeline of new project starts in 2017.

“Meanwhile, the weak pound continued to have an inflationary impact on the UK construction sector in January. Purchasing costs increased at the strongest rate for almost eight-and-a-half years, as suppliers sought to pass on higher prices for commodities and imported construction materials.”


Photo: From Shutterstock

Construction and Building Industry FREE Career Clinics for UK Sales Professionals - Feb. 2017

OK, so January is out of the way now. It was a long hard month but February is a month where spring is in sight and spirits start to rise again. It is a short month too!

So if January has been difficult to motivate yourself, it is now time to wake from your slumber and start looking for that fresh new job with Spring approaching

If you are you thinking of making a move but are not sure of the best way to approach it or what opportunities are out there, we can help.

What next?To progress your career in construction sales or marketing, then you should take advantage of a FREE evaluation of your career, gain expert guidance on your next move and take a look at suitable current vacancies. Interested...? Arrange to attend our PinBuild Career Development Clinics this February. 

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

February 2017

• Wednesday 15th February - Dartford   
• Thursday 16th February -  Leeds
• Wednesday 22nd February - Birmingham
• Thursday 23rd February - Notts / Derby
• Tuesday 28th February – Bristol

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: Head of Business Development for Building Products via Specification - £85k OTE

Our latest Job in Focus is a senior role national role as Head of Business Development for a manufacturer of heavyside building products selling to architects, contractors, merchants and distribution. You would take charge of a large sales team to further develop business in the UK market via specification. Package of £70k plus bonus, car and 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 Title: Head of Business Development
Job Ref: J8526
Product: Building Products
Location: National
Salary: £70k
Sector: Management

Manufacturer of heavyside building products selling to architects, contractors, merchants, and distribution.

SALARY: Basic salary to £70k plus £15k bonus, company car, mobile, laptop, pension and additional company benefits 

COMPANY: A major manufacturer of a range of heavyside building products renowned for their innovative products and solutions for the construction sector. A fantastic opportunity to join a market leading organisation. 

JOB ROLE: A senior level position to take charge of a large sales team to further develop business in the UK market. Responsibilities include managing and developing three separate field sales teams via regional managers selling a range of heavyside building products. The sales teams target architects to generate specification, contractors and merchants/distributors. A strategic approach is required with long-term development in mind, the role will also incorporate an element of managing new product launches and marketing campaigns but is a business development position at its core. An ideal position for a senior manager looking to directly influence the success and direction of a large organisation in the UK market. 

LOCATION: National however the position requires frequent travel to head office in the South. 

CANDIDATE: A strong sales manager with experience working with multiple teams with varied routes to market. A structured and strategic approach is required with experience in developing long-term business and product recognition. A background in heavyside products would be ideal however any construction related product background will be considered. Above all, a proven track record in sales management and business development is key to the position. 

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

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>

"Reduce barriers to help smaller housebuilders grow" says Home Builders Federation

The Home Builders Federation (HBF) has recommended the government should seize the opportunity of Brexit to reform EU regulation to reduce the risk and complexity associated with building new homes and so help smaller builders build more.

This is one of a series of recommendations revealed in a new report released by the HHBF which highlights the challenges faced by small to medium sized (SME) housebuilders in looking to increase housing output.

The report – “Reversing the decline of small housebuilders” - sets out a range of proposals to address the finance, planning and red tape barriers preventing smaller firms from playing a bigger part in tackling the housing crisis. Over the past 25 years the number of SME builders has reduced by around 80%, but HBF says that just getting back to the number operating in 2007 could produce an additional 25,000 homes a year.

The problems are highlighted in the report by Redrow founder Steve Morgan. He grew a fledgling business into a national publicly listed builder but he says this “would be almost inconceivable today”.

The report is based on in-depth interviews and discussions with HBF’s smaller members and highlights access to finance and the increasingly complex planning and regulatory systems as the biggest factors inhibiting the entrepreneurialism of smaller companies.

The report reveals that lending has improved little since the recovery from the 2008 financial crash and that planning is a risky and expensive process which hampers SMEs without the infrastructure and financial ability to navigate them.

HBF points out that housing supply has increased significantly in the past three years but that most of this increase has come from the largest builders. “With government keen to see numbers continuing to increase, enabling SMEs to increase output will be key,” says HBF.

In addition to reforming EU regulation the report suggests a number of other steps government could take to help including:

• Create a new Help to Build scheme to help extend sustainable lending to smaller companies
• Tackle specific planning problems that disproportionately affect the business environment for SMEs, including the lack of smaller sites and the impact of pre-commencement conditions
• Lift barriers for builders to access tax incentives and other support enjoyed by SMEs in other sectors
• Provide technical and planning advice services for fledgling businesses

Stewart Baseley, executive chairman of the Home Builders Federation, said: “Whilst housing output has increased significantly in recent years, the vast majority of the increases have come from larger companies. The number of smaller builders has collapsed over recent decades with few new entrants to the market able to grow to any size.

“If government wants to see continued increases in supply it is imperative it enables SME builders to play their part. Removing the barriers for SME builders could result in tens of thousands of desperately needed additional homes being built and boost economies up and down the country.”

Construction Products Association report growth for 15th quarter running!

Hot on the heels of the news from the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) that growth was at its fastest for 9 months, the Construction Products Association has announced that Sales in Q4 of 2016 continued to grow for the fifteenth quarter in a row.

This is really positive news for building products manufacturers as we enter an interesting year with the unknowns of Brexit lurking.

On an annual basis, 78% of heavy side firms reported that sales had increased in Q4, whilst on the light side, 75% of firms reported that sales were higher than a year earlier, which was the highest balance since 2014 Q3.

However, as uncertainty intensifies and cost pressures from the fall in Sterling post-Referendum hit this year, the industry may struggle to experience similar growth. Among heavy side manufacturers only 6% on balance anticipate a rise in sales over 2017 Q1, and 29% on balance of light side manufacturers anticipate a rise during the same period.

Rebecca Larkin, CPA Senior Economist said: “Unsurprisingly, manufacturers’ expectations for 2017 appear to have been tempered by the uncertainty surrounding the economic and political outlook. Heavy side manufacturers appeared most exposed to the effects of Sterling’s depreciation during the second half of 2016. In Q4, two-thirds of firms reported an increase in costs, the highest in five years, and a further 89% anticipate an increase over the next year. Rising costs of imported raw materials continue to be a primary driver of cost inflation, but there is now an indication that currency weakness is filtering through to higher energy and fuel costs too.

“The impact of Brexit on the construction industry is, as yet, unclear, but it is unlikely this year will be as buoyant as last unless government is able to provide greater certainty and the industry is able to manage cost pressures.”

Key survey findings include

• Sales rose for 78% of heavy side firms and 75% of firms on the light side, on balance 
• A balance of 50% of heavy and light side firms reported that construction product sales rose in the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with Q3
• On balance, 6% of heavy side manufacturers anticipated a rise in sales in 2017 Q1, worsening from a balance of 45% in Q3 
• On the light side, 29% of firms expected an increase in product sales in the next quarter, compared to a balance of 67% in Q3
• Annual cost increases were reported by 78% of heavy side manufacturers and 71% of those on the light side
• Raw materials costs rose according to 78% of heavy side manufacturers and 88% of those on the light side
• Fuel and energy costs rose for 71% and 61% of heavy side manufacturers respectively

Take a look at the latest Construction Sales Jobs >>

Photo: shutterstock_130314980

Have you launched an innovative new product for the house building market in the last 12-months?

The Housebuilder Product Awards 2017 are now open for entries. The awards reward excellence and innovation for products and systems which aid new home development in the UK. 

So if you're a building product manufacturer and you've developed or enhanced an innovative product in the last 12 months, why not tell everyone of its success and remind the industry of its benefits and why it has made a difference to the house building industry. 

We know from speaking with many of our clients that 2016 was a very good year for new product launches, especially ones that have made life easier for builders during installation and construction, or enhanced safety on site, many have also had huge cost-saving advantages for the homeowner with benefits for the environment too. This along with the recent news from the HBF that larger homes are now being built than ever before underline the importance for manufacturers to continue to innovate and then let the industry know!

Enter the Housebuilder Product Awards 2017 >>

In their fifth year, these Awards were sucessfully launched in 2013 by Housebuilder Media to reward excellence in the products and systems used in UK housebuilding.

The Housebuilder Product Awards are supported by the HBF and NHBC, with judges from organisations including CPA, BBA, Robust Details and leading housebuilders.

Winning a Housebuilder Product Award could give you or your client an edge in a market that is ever more competitive and will generate invaluable publicity and exposure.  The Awards and the winners will of course be publicised in Housebuilder magazine and through our email news alerts, promoting them widely among the UK housebuilding market.

The winners in each category will also go forward to be a finalist in the Product category at our successful Housebuilder Awards in November for the chance to be crowned Product of the Year in front of an audience of more than 500 senior housebuilders and industry figures.

CATEGORIES

• Best building fabric product
• Best internal/interior product
• Best services product
• Best kitchens and bathrooms product
• Best external product
• Best site product
• Best health and safety product
• Best business product
• Best brand new product

JUDGES

• Dave Mitchell HBF
• Neil Smith NHBC
• Steve Wielebski Consultant
• Claire Curtis-Thomas BBA
• Peter L. Caplehorn Construction Products Association
• Michael Black Bovis
• John Tebbit Robust Details
• Dale Saunders Taylor Wimpey
• Darren Dancey Crest Nicholson

ENTRY DEADLINE FRIDAY 17 FEBRUARY 2017

Your entry must include the following:

• Completed entry form
• One copy of additional materials
• One electronic high res jpeg image of product
• Payment of £130 + vat
• 500 word submission (7 copies)

Entries must be posted to:

Housebuilder Product Awards

Housebuilder Media, 27 Broadwall, London, SE1 9PL

More info...>>

Activity in Britain's construction sector expands at the fastest rate in 9 months

Britain's construction sector expanded in December with activity at its fastest rate in nine months, boosted by more house building, but sterling's weakness drove the biggest rise in costs in over five years.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose to 54.2 in December, its strongest since March and well ahead of expectations in a Reuters poll for it to hold steady at November's reading of 52.8.mA figure above 50 indicates expansion.

But the figures also highlight the challenge Britain will face this year from sterling's plunge after the June vote to leave the European Union, which has pushed up business and household costs.

Markit said building costs rose last month at a rate not seen since April 2011, and that companies reported shortages of materials, possibly because of extra demand as they stocked up to beat further price increases.

"UK construction companies noted that the weaker sterling exchange rate had resulted in higher costs for a wide range of imported materials," survey author Tim Moore wrote.

Britain looks to have been one of the strongest-performing advanced economies last year, but most economists predict a slowdown in growth to 1.1 percent this year from double that in 2016 as inflation climbs.

House building accelerated in December, growing at the fastest rate since January, and may get extra momentum if government plans announced on Monday to build 200,000 new rural homes overcome local planning restrictions.

Civil engineering staged its biggest pick-up in growth in nearly two years, Markit said, but demand for commercial projects such as factories and shops remained lacklustre.

This reflected "an ongoing drag from subdued investment spending and heightened economic uncertainty," Moore said.

Job in Focus for January: Head of Project Sales for Luxury Bathroom Brand - £75k + bonus

Our first Job in Focus of 2017 is to be Head of Project Sales for a global Luxury Bathroom Brand, you would work out of the London office but it is a national role. Responsible for managing 4 people within an internal project office and 6 field sales specification reps. Includes strategic planning & key national negotiations.

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 Project Sales
Job Ref: J8448
Product: Bathroom Products
Location: London & South East
Salary: £75k plus bonus

LUXURY BRAND IN THE BATHROOM MARKET 

PACKAGE: On offer is a basic salary of up to £75,000 plus 15% bonus, car, pension, healthcare and 25 days holiday plus bank holidays. 

EMPLOYER: A highly successful leading name within the bathroom sector offering a superb product portfolio and a presence in more than 100 countries. 

JOB DESCRIPTION: Head of Projects: Reporting to the Sales Director, this person will be responsible for 4 people within an internal project office and 6 UK based field sales specification representatives. About half of the time will be spent on managing, leading and motivating the team and the rest will be on strategic planning and key national negotiations. Other responsibilities include agreeing the sales revenue targets required in line with company objectives and develop appropriate project plan and developing and executing segmentation based UK regional projects strategy. This is a field role covering nationally and with some international travel. 

LOCATION: Field based covering the UK but ideally living within one hour of London - so candidates would be considered in the following areas of Middlesex, Greater London, Berkshire, Kent, Surrey, Hertfordshire, Essex, Buckinghamshire, Hampshire, East Sussex, West Sussex or Oxfordshire 

CANDIDATE: To apply for this position you will need to be an experienced manager who has worked on a national level. Any knowledge of the KBB sector would be an advantage but it not essential. Experience of specification distribution sales would also be advantageous but it is more important that they are a proactive and strategic thinker operating at a senior level within a global company and a leading brand. 

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

Search for more building products sales jobs >>>