Elliotts
Trade Counter Manager
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Job type: Full time
Hours: 40 per week, Monday to Friday
Location: Portsmouth
About Futuremost
Futuremost has been manufacturing high-quality aluminium and uPVC windows, doors and glazing solutions since 1987. Based in Portsmouth, we work with commercial contractors, local authorities, developers and trade customers, producing bespoke products to demanding quality standards. In 2024, Futuremost became part of the Elliotts Group, combining over 35 years of manufacturing expertise with the strength and stability of one of the South's longest-established family businesses.
We're proud of the quality of what we produce and the people who make it happen. If you enjoy practical, hands-on work and take pride in doing a job properly, we'd love to hear from you.
Role purpose
The Trade Counter Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running and continued growth of the Futuremost Trade Counter.
This is a hands-on role combining customer service, technical product advice, sales and operational responsibility. You will build strong relationships with trade and domestic customers, understand their requirements and provide accurate quotes for uPVC and aluminium windows, doors and associated products.
You will take ownership of the customer experience from initial enquiry through to order, while helping to grow sales, protect margin and ensure the trade counter operates safely and efficiently.
Key responsibilities
Customer service and sales
- Deliver friendly, knowledgeable and professional service to trade and domestic customers.
- Build strong, long-term relationships with builders, installers, contractors, developers and other customers.
- Understand customer requirements and recommend suitable products and solutions.
- Prepare accurate and timely quotes for windows, doors and associated products.
- Follow up quotes, enquiries and leads consistently to maximise sales.
- Proactively identify opportunities to win new customers and grow existing accounts.
- Promote complementary products and services where they meet the customer’s needs.
- Agree pricing and discounts within agreed levels of authority.
- Handle customer questions, concerns and complaints professionally.
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Trade counter management
- Take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the trade counter and showroom.
- Ensure customer orders are processed accurately and efficiently.
- Maintain an organised, welcoming and professional trade counter environment.
- Monitor stock availability and work with relevant colleagues to maintain appropriate stock levels.
- Maintain accurate customer, quotation and sales records.
- Ensure agreed processes, standards and health and safety requirements are followed.
- Support and develop trade counter team members, setting clear expectations and providing regular feedback.
Working across Futuremost
- Work closely with estimating, manufacturing, operations and other colleagues to provide a joined-up service.
- Keep customers informed about their orders, lead times and any changes.
- Maintain strong technical knowledge of Futuremost’s products and services.
- Share customer feedback and market information to help improve the trade counter offer.
- Contribute to wider business improvements and growth opportunities.
Commercial performance
- Take ownership of agreed sales, margin and quotation-conversion targets.
- Monitor performance and take action where results are below target.
- Protect profitability by maintaining accurate pricing and reducing avoidable errors.
- Provide regular updates on sales activity, customer opportunities and performance.
Skills and experience
Essential
- Experience in trade counter sales, construction products, windows and doors, or a similar customer-facing environment.
- A strong customer service approach and the ability to build lasting customer relationships.
- Experience preparing quotes and processing customer orders accurately.
- A proven ability to generate sales and follow up opportunities.
- Good commercial awareness, including an understanding of sales and margin.
- Clear and confident communication skills.
- Strong organisation and attention to detail.
- Comfortable using IT systems to prepare quotes, process orders and maintain customer records.
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Desirable
- Experience using window and door estimating software.
- Knowledge of uPVC and aluminium windows, doors and associated products.
- Knowledge of relevant glazing and building regulations.
- Experience managing or supervising a small team.
- Experience working within a builders’ merchant, manufacturer or construction-related business.
Personal qualities
We are looking for someone who:
- Puts the customer first.
- Takes ownership and follows things through.
- Is commercially minded and motivated by results.
- Communicates in a friendly, straightforward and professional way.
- Is organised, reliable and accurate.
- Works well with others and contributes to the wider team.
- Is positive about change and looks for ways to improve how things are done.
Measures of success
Performance will be measured against agreed targets, which may include:
- Trade counter sales and gross profit.
- Quotes completed and conversion rate.
- New customers and growth of existing accounts.
- Speed and consistency of quotation follow-up.
- Customer feedback and repeat business.
- Order accuracy and reduction in avoidable errors.
- Stock accuracy and availability.
- Achievement of individual and trade counter targets.
- Team performance and development, where applicable.
Benefits
- Competitive salary
- Bonus
- Pension
- Employee discount
- Training and development opportunities
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