Trade Counter / Branch Manager

Baker Recruitment Group Ltd; South Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Baker Recruitment Group Ltd. is seeking a proactive Trade Counter Manager to run daily operations, lead a small team, and drive sales at the branch showroom.

You will manage quotes, negotiate within authorized levels, and build strong relationships with trade customers and local accounts. Responsibilities include stock control, supplier liaison, and delivering on gross margin targets while upholding health and safety standards.

Qualifications

• Background in builders' merchant or B2B trade counter.
• Familiarity with Ventilation/HVCA sector products.
• Experience managing budgets, margins, and targets.
• Experience with consultative selling and quoting.
• Proficiency with ERP/stock systems and MS Office.
• Full UK driving licence; FLT licence advantageous.
• Weekly/monthly reporting to management.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the trade counter and showroom.
• Serve trade and retail customers, prepare quotes, negotiate pricing.
• Lead and train trade counter sales and warehouse staff.
• Monitor stock levels and coordinate replenishments; manage supplier relationships.
• Build relationships with commercial contractors and local accounts.
• Drive sales growth and hit gross margin targets; ensure invoice accuracy.
• Maintain health and safety standards at counter and storage areas.
• Report sales figures and branch expenditure weekly and end of month.

Skills

Trade counter experience

Sales & account management

Team leadership

Customer relationships

Negotiation & pricing

Stock control & inventory

ERP/stock systems

UK driving licence

Tools

M3

Vecta

Microsoft Office

Job description

Core Responsibilities

• Day-to-Day Operations: Manage the smooth running, opening, closing, and physical presentation of the trade counter and showroom.
• Sales & Account Management: Serve trade and retail customers, prepare accurate quotes, negotiate pricing/discounts within authorized levels, and grow key accounts.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and support trade counter sales and warehouse staff, consult with the Business Development Salesperson
• Stock & Inventory Control: Monitor stock levels, handle goods-in/goods-out, coordinate replenishment orders, and manage supplier relationships.
• Customer Relations: Building and maintaining relationships with commercial contractors, trade specialists, and local accounts.
• Financial & KPI Management: Drive sales growth, hit gross margin/profitability targets, and handle billing, pricing, and invoice accuracy.
• Health & Safety: Maintain a clean, organized, and safe counter and storage environment in line with company policies.

Key Requirements & Qualifications

• Experience: Proven background in a builders' merchant, electrical/plumbing wholesaler, or B2B trade counter environment.
• Product Knowledge: Familiarity with relevant trade products Ventilation HVCA Sector
• P&L & Financial Management: Managing budgets, profit margins, sales targets, and operational overheads.
• Commercial Skills: Experience with consultative selling, managing customer quotes, and hitting P&L or margin targets.
• IT Proficiency: Comfortable using ERP/stock systems (such as M3 or Vecta) alongside Microsoft Office.
• Licences: Often requires a full UK driving licence; a forklift truck (FLT) licence is frequently advantageous.
• Reporting: Reporting to Management team with Sales Figures and Branch expenditure weekly and end of month
• Effective Stock Control: maintaining stock levels and negotiating with suppliers