Counter Sales

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd; Salfords; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Lawsons (Whetstone) Ltd in Salfords is hiring a Counter Sales Advisor to serve trade and retail customers at the branch counter, process sales and enquiries, and support colleagues across sales and branch operations.

You will maintain up-to-date product and price knowledge, prepare quotes and handle telephone and email enquiries, support order fulfilment, and ensure displays are well merchandised while delivering friendly, professional service.

Qualifications

• Previous counter sales, retail or customer service experience.
• Excellent customer service skills with a positive, professional telephone manner.
• Confident using IT systems, tills and order processing software.
• Flexible, reliable and able to work as part of a team.
• Physically able to carry out manual handling tasks.

Responsibilities

• Greet customers and assess needs to provide product advice.
• Process sales and payments at the branch till.
• Prepare quotes and handle phone/email enquiries.
• Support order fulfilment and stock/yard coordination.
• Maintain product knowledge and upsell where appropriate.
• Keep counter and displays clean and merchandised.
• Record customer and order data accurately.
• Follow health & safety procedures.
• Cover shifts across the branch as needed.

Skills

Counter sales experience

Customer service excellence

Till/CRM systems

Stock knowledge

Till system

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Role Overview

We are recruiting a Counter Sales Advisor to join our Salfords branch. This customer-facing role involves serving trade and retail customers at the branch counter, processing sales and enquiries efficiently, and supporting colleagues across sales and branch operations. The successful candidate will be customer-focused, reliable and adaptable, representing the company professionally while maintaining high standards of product knowledge, stock presentation and service.

Main Responsibilities

• Greet customers promptly and courteously at the counter, ascertain their needs and provide knowledgeable product advice to help them find the right materials for their projects.


• Process sales transactions accurately using the branch till and order systems, including taking payments, issuing receipts and managing returns or exchanges in line with company policy.


• Prepare quotes and handle telephone and email enquiries professionally, passing complex or trade account queries to the appropriate colleague or manager.


• Support branch colleagues by picking and staging customer orders for collection, liaising with the yard and delivery teams to ensure timely fulfilment.


• Maintain up-to-date product and price knowledge, proactively recommending alternatives or upsell opportunities where appropriate to meet customer needs.


• Ensure the counter, displays and adjacent stock areas are clean, well organised and merchandised to company standards, assisting with stock replenishment as required.


• Accurately record customer details, sales and order information in the company systems to support invoicing and reporting.


• Adhere to health and safety procedures, use appropriate PPE when required and follow manual handling guidelines to protect yourself and colleagues.


• Work flexibly to provide cover across the branch during busy periods, supporting early starts, late finishes or occasional Saturday shifts as required.

Person Specification

• Previous counter sales, retail or customer service experience is essential within a builders merchants, trade supplier or similar environment.


• Excellent customer service skills with a positive, professional telephone manner and the ability to build rapport quickly with customers from diverse backgrounds.


• Confident using IT systems, tills, CRM or order processing software; accurate data entry and attention to detail are important.


• Good product knowledge or the ability to learn product ranges, pricing and technical information quickly.


• Flexible, reliable and able to work as part of a team, supporting branch goals and adapting to changing priorities.


• Physically able to carry out manual handling tasks and work in a busy branch environment, including outdoor yard areas in variable weather.


• Strong organisational skills, able to prioritise workload and manage multiple customer enquiries during peak periods.


• Commitment to follow company policies and health & safety procedures at all times.

Working Hours, Salary And Benefits

• Permanent, full-time role based at our Salford's branch. Typical hours are Monday to Friday 07.15 - 17.00, with 1 in 3 Saturdays (08:00 - 12:00).


• Competitive salary, dependent on experience (£30,175 - £33,000)


• 25 days' holiday per year plus bank holidays and a celebration day, rising with service in line with company policy.


• Company pension scheme.


• Employee Assistance Programme and access to online GP services.


• Comprehensive induction, ongoing product training and opportunities for development and progression within the business.


• Staff discounts and a supportive, team-focused working environment.

Why Join Salfords?

• Work for a well-established, family-owned company with a strong local reputation and commitment to service.


• Be part of a friendly, inclusive team where your customer care and product knowledge make a real difference.


• Develop your skills through structured training and clear pathways for progression across the Lawsons Group.


• Play an important role in helping trade and retail customers source the right products for their projects.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, background or experience. If you are a customer-focused counter sales professional who takes pride in delivering excellent service, we would like to hear from you. #MP