Sales Trainee

UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS); Bedford; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

UK Plumbing Supplies offers a Commercial Development Programme to build future leaders in sales, account management and business development. You’ll gain hands-on experience, structured training and real responsibility from day one, working across product knowledge, customer relationships and trade channels.

You’ll rotate through account management, business development and supplier engagement, with coaching from experienced leaders and opportunities to progress into management roles within the

Qualifications

• University degree (in any subject) or equivalent.
• College qualification plus 3+ years’ work experience.
• GCSE-level education plus 5+ years’ work experience.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Learn product and industry knowledge to support sales conversations.
• Manage customer enquiries by telephone and email.
• Develop account management and grow new business opportunities.
• Participate in supplier events, customer trade days and networking.

Skills

Strong communication

Relationship-building

Commercial mindset

Ambition

Education

University degree (any subject)

College qualification + 3 years experience

GCSE-level education + 5 years experience

Job description

Sales Jobs, Graduate Jobs & Business Development Careers

Looking for a career in sales, account management, business development or commercial management?

Whether you're a recent graduate, or have built your career through customer-facing roles in retail, hospitality or sales, our Commercial Development Programme is designed to develop future commercial leaders.

At UK Plumbing Supplies, you'll gain hands-on sales experience, structured commercial training and real responsibility from day one. You'll learn how to manage customer relationships, grow accounts, develop business opportunities and understand the commercial drivers behind a successful business.

This is more than a sales trainee role. It's a structured career pathway into account management, business development, sales management and site leadership.

About UK Plumbing Supplies

UK Plumbing Supplies is the UK's largest independent network of plumbing and heating merchants, with over 310 locations and more than 2,500 employees nationwide.

Our Commercial Development Programme combines practical experience with professional sales training to prepare you for roles such as a Profit Centre Manager, Showroom Manager or Sales Manager.

Working within a £17.9bn industry, you'll build valuable commercial skills that can support a long-term career in sales, management and business development.

What You'll Be Doing

This is a hands-on sales and commercial development role where you'll learn every aspect of the business.

Product & Industry Knowledge

• Learn our products, stock management processes and supply chain operations
• Understand how products solve customer challenges across the plumbing and heating sector
• Develop technical product knowledge that supports successful sales conversations
• Serve customers at the trade counter
• Handle customer enquiries by telephone and email
• Build confidence in sales conversations and customer relationship management

Account Management

• Build relationships with existing trade customers
• Support account growth and customer retention
• Progress towards managing your own customer portfolio

Business Development

• Identify opportunities to win new business
• Learn commercial decision-making and profitability management
• Support site growth through proactive customer engagement

Cross-Functional Learning

• Gain exposure to multiple areas of the business
• Work alongside commercial, operations and service teams
• Develop a broad understanding of business operations and commercial management

Professional Development

• Attend structured sales and commercial training programmes
• Learn from experienced managers and industry specialists
• Participate in supplier events, customer trade days and networking opportunities
• Receive ongoing coaching and career development support

Who We’re Looking For

We welcome applications from:

• Graduates seeking a graduate sales career
• Retail professionals looking to move into sales
• Hospitality professionals seeking career progression
• Customer service professionals wanting a commercial career
• Sales professionals looking for structured development
• Ambitious career changers with strong people skills

Successful candidates will demonstrate:

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• A genuine interest in sales, account management and business development
• Commercial awareness and a willingness to learn
• Ambition to progress
• Resilience, adaptability and a proactive approach

To be eligible for our Commercial Development Programme, you'll need one of following:

• A university degree (in any subject), OR
• A college qualification plus a minimum of 3 years' work experience, OR
• GCSE-level education plus a minimum of 5 years' work experience

We value potential, commercial mindset and transferable skills just as highly as academic qualifications.

What You'll Receive

• Structured Commercial Development Programme
• Professional sales training and development
• Clear career progression opportunities
• Mentoring from experienced commercial leaders