Trade Counter Sales Advisor

UK Plumbing Supplies (trading as UKPS); Basingstoke; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit share scheme

Full training on products and systems

Real autonomy to run the counter

Job summary

Plumbase Basingstoke is seeking a Trade Counter Sales Advisor who goes beyond serving customers. You’ll build relationships with local tradespeople, bring in new business, and take ownership of accounts to drive sales and margin.

You’ll work autonomously within a site that values commercial initiative, with training on products and systems and opportunities to influence stock and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

• Experience in plumbing & heating merchant or similar trade environment.
• Confidence dealing with trade customers and building long-term relationships.
• Commercial mindset with awareness of margin, pricing and growth opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Serve trade and retail customers on the counter, building relationships that drive repeat business.
• Build quotes, manage orders and take ownership of customer accounts.
• Actively develop new business by engaging local tradespeople and bringing new accounts on board.
• Re-engage dormant and low-spend customers to grow revenue.
• Work closely with the Manager on pricing, stock decisions and supplier relationships.
• Get involved in trade events, customer visits and local outreach to drive sales.
• Maintain strong product knowledge across plumbing and heating to confidently advise customers.
• Support the wider operation including picking, packing and keeping the site running efficiently.

Skills

Relationship building

Trade customers

Account management

Sales

Job description

If you’re expecting a standard Trade Counter role where you stand behind a desk and wait for the next customer, this isn’t it.

At Plumbase Basingstoke, our Trade Counter Sales Advisors are right at the centre of how our site performs. Yes, you’ll serve customers, build quotes and manage accounts, but that’s only part of the job.

This role is built around ownership. You’ll be out building relationships with local tradespeople, bringing in new business, reactivating dormant accounts and helping shape how the site grows.

We operate as part of the UK’s largest independent network of plumbing and heating merchants with over 310 sites nationwide. Each site runs with real autonomy, you’re not just following a script or waiting for instructions from head office. You’re making commercial decisions, influencing stock, working with suppliers and getting involved in anything that drives sales and margin.

This is a Trade Counter Sales Advisor role for someone who wants more than just serving customers. If you’ve got the instinct to spot opportunities and the confidence to act on them, you’ll fit in well here.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve trade and retail customers on the counter, building relationships that drive repeat business
• Build quotes, manage orders and take ownership of customer accounts
• Actively develop new business by engaging local tradespeople and bringing new accounts on board
• Re-engage dormant and low-spend customers to grow revenue
• Work closely with the Manager on pricing, stock decisions and supplier relationships
• Get involved in trade events, customer visits and local outreach to drive sales
• Maintain strong product knowledge across plumbing and heating to confidently advise customers
• Support the wider operation including picking, packing and keeping the site running efficiently

This is a role where you’re expected to think commercially. The better the merchant performs, the more everyone benefits from it.

What We’re Looking For:

This role suits someone who understands that a Trade Counter Sales Advisor can be more than just a counter role.

You might currently be a:

• Sales Assistant within a merchant environment

You’ll likely bring:

• Experience within a plumbing & heating, builders merchant or similar trade environment
• Confidence dealing with trade customers and building long-term relationships
• A commercial mindset. You’re aware of margin, pricing and opportunities to grow accounts
• A proactive approach. You’re comfortable picking up the phone, speaking to customers and generating business
• Strong product awareness or the ability to learn quickly
• hands-on attitude. You’ll want to be involved in all areas of the site, not just the counter
• A full UK driving licence

What You’ll Get:

• Competitive salary + profit share scheme
• Full training on products and systems
• Real autonomy in how you run the counter and interact with customers
• The chance to grow in a business that rewards initiative, not just tenure