Sales Apprentice - National Account Assistant

We are currently looking for an enthusiastic National Account Assistant to join our sales team. This is an exciting opportunity for somebody who is new to sales, and looking for a role where they will grow with the position, allowing you to make the role your own.

Working as part of the Sales – Trade Team, you will support Senior National Account Managers (“SNAM”) for both our Garden Centre and Builders Merchants customers. The primary function of the National Account Assistant role is to support the daily management and growth of business within our existing customer base. The post holder will support an existing SNAM looking after one of our largest builder’s merchant groups.

Roles and responsibilities:

Daily tasks in support of the SNAM as well as the wider team Dealing with all day-to-day enquiries from customer base, escalating to the SNAM as required/appropriate Proactively seeking to grow existing business through targeted sales activity Working closely with the Marketing function to ensure all products are listed online correctly in line with customer requirements, with appropriate imagery and content Maintenance of price books to ensure up to date pricing strategy is adhered to, and invoice queries are minimised Working with the Customer Services function to ensure queries and complaints are appropriately followed up and a satisfactory resolution is reached Maintain regular contact, as appropriate with customer via face meetings, telephone, and email Analyse relevant data and proactively engaging with customers both by telephone, video conferencing and face to face Participate in internal sales meeting Support the wider team at annual shows

Skills, abilities, and behaviours:

Proactive and determined individual who thrives on working at pace, with an appetite to over achieve targets Keen attention to detail and a high level of accuracy in all areas Full working knowledge of Microsoft office software, with a particular focus on Excel, Word, and PowerPoint Previous Sales and/or Marketing experience desirable but not essential Skilled at planning and organising workload to ensure prompt and effective completion of tasks Good negotiation and influencing skills An excellent communicator, both written and verbal Maintain and observe a high degree of professionalism, always ensuring confidentiality Willingness to travel to meet customers, driving license is essential

Training:

You will work towards a Level 4 Sales Executive Apprenticeship Standard:

Off the job training (20% of your working week) will be delivered remotely with a dedicated development coach (tutuor). 80% work based (on the job) learning

Training Outcome:
Those that successfully complete the Sales Executive Level 4 qualification will be able to advance within the team, to Executive or Manager level Provided they exhibit the required skills and attitude for promotion

Employer Description:
At Forest, we know a fair bit about fences; And sheds for that matter. In fact, we have been the UK’s leading and most trusted manufacturer and distributor of quality wooden garden products for over 50 years. Today, you will find our range of garden buildings, fencing, decking and decorative structures for sale across many sites online and in over 3,000 retail stores. From the forest to the doorstep – we are a vertically integrated business We are proud to be a British company using sustainable, British timber. Most of the timber we use is grown and felled from managed UK forests across Scotland. After felling, the timber is cut and processed in our nearby sawmill and taken to our manufacturing operation in rural Worcestershire.

Working Hours :
Monday to Friday, 08.30 - 17:00. 30 minutes unpaid lunch.

Skills:
Communication skills,IT skills,Attention to detail,Organisation skills,Customer care skills,Team working,Initiative,Pro - active,Target driven,MS Package (full knowledge),High level of accuracy,Thrives on working at pace,Professional,Good negotiation skills