Trade Sales / Inventory Assistant

Plumbing World; Hawke's Bay; On-site; NZD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounts

Generous parental leave

Birthday day off

Job summary

Plumbing World Hastings is seeking a hands-on Trade Sales / Inventory Assistant to join the Hastings team. The role blends customer service, trade sales, warehousing, and inventory administration to ensure accurate stock movement and exceptional customer care.

You will work across trade counter, warehouse, and inventory processes, supporting stock accuracy and system updates while collaborating with branch leadership to maintain service excellence.

Qualifications

• Experience in trade sales, retail, customer service, warehousing, or inventory support.
• Proven retail experience with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide exceptional service to trade and retail customers.
• Process customer orders accurately and efficiently.
• Assist with product enquiries and recommend suitable solutions.
• Support branch promotions and identify add-on sales opportunities.
• Follow up customer enquiries and orders in a timely manner.
• Receive, store, pick, and dispatch stock accurately.
• Assist with stock receipting and inventory administration.
• Support stocktakes and cycle counting activities.
• Investigate and report stock discrepancies, shortages, and negative stock issues.
• Help maintain accurate inventory records and stock locations.
• Coordinate stock follow-up activities and communicate replenishment requirements.
• Work closely with the Branch Manager to communicate progress, customer feedback, and operational issues.
• Liaise with the Distribution Centre regarding stock transfers, deliveries, and inventory enquiries.
• Assist freight providers with delivery and return information.
• Support colleagues across the branch and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Maintain safe work practices and housekeeping standards.

Skills

Trade sales

Retail customer service

Warehousing

Inventory control

Tools

Excel

Inventory software

Job description

• Transport / Logistics / Drivers
• Warehouse & Distribution
• Hawkes Bay
• Permanent / Full Time

24/9/2026

• Strong earning potential on offer for the right candidate
• Great company benefits + Discounts + Generous parental leave package
• Paid day off to celebrate your birthday

Are you passionate about delivering exceptional customer service while keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes? We're looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Trade Sales / Inventory Assistant to join our Plumbing World Hastings team.

This is a newly created hands-on, varied role that combines customer service, trade sales, warehousing, and inventory administration. You'll help ensure our customers receive outstanding service while supporting the accurate movement, storage, receipting, and control of inventory throughout the branch.

About Plumbing World

Plumbing World is a proud Kiwi-owned success story, backed by over 60 years in the industry.

Owned by plumbers and builders, we understand what our customers need and we deliver it through strong relationships, expert advice, and reliable service.

Our people are at the heart of our success. We're committed to building a high-performing, inclusive culture where our teams can grow and thrive.

We're the largest 100% New Zealand owned national plumbing merchant with 56 stores and over 1,000 shareholder tradies up and down the country.

About The Role

As a Trade Sales / Inventory Assistant, you'll work across the trade counter, warehouse, and inventory functions to support the day-to-day success of the branch. You'll play an important role in maintaining stock accuracy, responding to customer needs, and assisting with inventory processes that keep the business operating efficiently.

Working closely with the Branch Manager, Inventory Controller, Distribution Centre, and the wider team, you'll contribute to a positive customer experience and help ensure inventory records remain accurate and up to date.

Please note: This role does not include purchasing or supplier ordering responsibilities.

What Your Day Will Look Like

Customer Service & Trade Sales

• Provide exceptional service to trade and retail customers.
• Process customer orders accurately and efficiently.
• Assist with product enquiries and recommend suitable solutions.
• Support branch promotions and identify add-on sales opportunities.
• Follow up customer enquiries and orders in a timely manner.

Inventory & Warehouse Support

• Receive, store, pick, and dispatch stock accurately.
• Assist with stock receipting and inventory administration.
• Support stocktakes and cycle counting activities.
• Investigate and report stock discrepancies, shortages, and negative stock issues.
• Help maintain accurate inventory records and stock locations.
• Coordinate stock follow-up activities and communicate replenishment requirements.

Branch Operation

• Work closely with the Branch Manager to communicate progress, customer feedback, and operational issues.
• Liaise with the Distribution Centre regarding stock transfers, deliveries, and inventory enquiries.
• Assist freight providers with delivery and return information.
• Support colleagues across the branch and contribute to a positive team culture.
• Maintain safe work practices and housekeeping standards.

This role is a permanent full-time position working 42.50 hours per week, Monday to Friday with rostered Saturdays.

Specific start and finish times will be discussed during the interview stage.

A Quick Glance At What We Need From You

• Experience in trade sales, retail, customer service, warehousing, or inventory support.
• Proven retail experience with a strong commitment to delivering exceptional customer service.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Good computer literacy and the ability to quickly learn sales and inventory systems.
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and multitasking skills.
• Flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and workloads.
• A positive attitude with high levels of honesty, integrity, and teamwork.
• Plumbing, trade, industrial, or building industry experience is advantageous.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• The ability to adapt quickly and respond effectively to unexpected situations.
• Strong retail sales skills and a customer-first approach.
• Reliability, initiative, and a positive attitude.
• Effective time management and organisational skills.
• The ability to work well under pressure and make sound decisions.
• A strong focus on delivering excellent customer outcomes.
• A good level of physical fitness, including the ability to lift up to 20kg.
• A full, clean Class 1 or 2 New Zealand driver's licence.
• A current forklift licence (this would be advantageous).
• Professional presentation and excellent interpersonal skills.

What we can offer you

• Competitive hourly rate is aligned to experience & reviewed annually.
• Great company benefits + Discounts + Generous parental leave package.
• Paid day off to celebrate your birthday.
• Opportunity to grow and shape your career in a national trusted Kiwi business.

Our Culture

We're a team that shows up for each other and our customers.

Plumbing World is committed to our customer service promise, and we are focused on exceeding customers' expectations, so it's all hands-on deck at the trade counter before 9:00 am no matter your role in the branch, this is to ensure customers are looked after straight away and they get what they need to start their day.

If you're someone who leads from the front and takes pride in building a strong team culture, you'll fit right in.

We encourage applications from all backgrounds. You don't need to tick every box - if you bring the right mindset and capability, we'd love to hear from you!

The successful applicant will be required to pass a pre-employment medical, drink and drug test, and Ministry of Justice checks before commencing employment.