Job Title: Branch Manager

Industry: Builders’ Merchants

Job Location: Cork City 

Job Type: Permanent    

Working Hours: Full Time

Working Model: Fully onsite

The Client

Our client is a well-established builders’ merchants with locations across Northern Ireland and Ireland. They are recognised as a leading Company in the industry and supply general and specialist building materials, timber, and hardware to the construction trade, the DIY sector and the general public.

Role Purpose

The purpose of the Branch Manager is to guide the branch towards both operational excellence and financial prosperity. The Branch Manager ensures smooth daily operations, prioritising exceptional customer service and adherence to company values. They drive growth by actively contributing to revenue generation and meeting sales targets through strategic initiatives. Reporting to the Regional Director and with a team of approximately 25 working in the Branch, this role will also require excellent people management skills.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Achieve sales and Gross Profit (GP) targets by dealing professionally and promptly with all customer enquiries.
• To assist in driving the development of the Branch
• Improve the performance of the Branch across a number of key performance measures.
• Ensure that standards are met for customer service excellence.
• Assume overall responsibility for the ensuring adherence to Health & Safety Standards and procedures
• Accountability for ensuring the health & safety and wellbeing of branch staff
• Ensure that the sales teams provide a professional, friendly and enthusiastic customer service experience, in person and via telephone/emails
• Build up and maintain good working relationships with customers and suppliers
• Effective liaison with external sales representatives regarding customer enquiries/orders/credit limits and their targets
• Maintain effective lines of communication with all staff, colleagues and departments to ensure excellent customer service.
• To be knowledgeable in all aspects of the Company’s products ranges and to continuously update such knowledge or to request training in such areas as needed.

·        Working in conjunction with the yard/shop stock controllers ensuring stock ranges and quantities are maintained at agreed levels.

• To be proficient in operating the computer software relevant to the position.

·        Participate in Trade Shows and other “outside hours” work as and when required.

·        Build solid working relationships with staff, encouraging their continuous improvement thereby establishing strong key employee retention and development.

·        Generate a culture of continued improvement through performance coaching and leading by example in terms of commitment, enthusiasm and drive.

·        Maintaining a clean, well-organised and properly merchandised store at all times.

• To make yourself familiar with and carry out your employee responsibilities as outlined in Company Policies and Procedures at all times, including the Health & Safety Policy and the Equal Opportunities Policy.

·        Ensuring that all policies, procedures and controls are followed at all times.

• To participate fully in all training and personal development initiatives as required by the Company.
• To perform any other duties as and when required by Management.

Key Competencies & Skills 

• Previous Builders Merchants Branch Management experience would be a distinct advantage
• Previous Management experience for at least 5 years essential
• A strong understanding of the construction industry essential
• Full competence with standard software packages, including MS Word, Excel essential
• Experience in People Management and Health & Safety essential

·        Strong commercial acumen

·        Strong ability to negotiate

·        Excellent people management skills

·        Effective team working and networking skills

·        Excellent interpersonal and customer-facing skills

·        Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

·        The flexibility and willingness to learn

·        Strategic Planning

·        Problem Solving

·        Dynamic, motivated & driven to achieve targets

·        Excellent organisation and attention to detail

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Branch Manager role has ideally around 5 years of experience in management, along with a deep understanding of the industry landscape. Thriving in the hustle of a busy store, they excel at coordinating seamless operations while motivating their team to surpass targets. They will have a track record of achieving and exceeding goals, and be adept at managing the various different activities in a Builders’ Merchant store, from Goods Inwards, Trade Counter, Yard, Transport, Accounts and Field Sales Representatives.

Benefits:

• Basic Salary between €60k and €70k
• Company Pension Scheme
• Staff Training
• Staff Discount