Builders merchants employ all sorts of people including delivery drivers and branch managers. We have tried to highlight the types of vacancies that Builders merchants advertise and also suggested which ones would be best suited to your particular skills.
Trade Counter Sales
Trade Counter Sales roles would be suitable for people with experience in trade or retail environments. You would need to be able to hold your own in conversations with builders and contractors and have the ability to advise on products and assist with ordering quantities and alternative products. People with experience in DIY retail, plumbing supplies, electrical wholesalers and other trade suppliers would find these roles suitable.
Driving and Logistics
If you have a full Cat C licence and a good driving record then Builders Merchants could be interested in you to deliver a variety of building materials to sites. Many sites have restricted access so being able to reverse large vehicles around tight corners, and deliver materials safely is key to this type of role.
Yard Operations
Yard roles are generally best suited to people who enjoy working outdoors in all types of weather. They need to be highly organised, able to work under pressure, and ideally hold a forklift license. People who have previously worked in a warehouse, timber yard or other large goods environment will find that their skills at stock rotation and safe stock stacking are highly transferable to yard roles in builders merchants.
Branch Supervision
If you have managed a team or department in retail, logistics, trade supplies or any other industry then a Builders Merchants employing you would expect you to manage a trade counter and yard, to manage staff and to meet sales targets. So to manage a Builders Merchants branch you would need to have experience of managing a department or team in any industry.
Purchasing and Estimating
Construction, quantity surveying or buying experience in a wholesaler or builders merchant will be relevant for roles in purchasing and estimating. Attention to detail and ability to read supplier’s quotes confidently will be more important than customer facing experience.
Selco Jobs is covered in more detail at https://bmcareers.com/employer/selco-builders-warehouse/.
Knowing where your strengths lie will help you apply for jobs you have a good chance of getting.