Sales Assistant Review

I work behind the counter of a builders merchants, selling products to the trade. My role is both over the counter and over the phone, communicating with suppliers and customers to boost profits in the branch and deliver the best service possible to our customers. I arrange deliveries, provide quotations, take care of banking and order in stock.

I have learnt how to effectively communicate with suppliers and customers, broadened my product knowledge and knowledge of the industry as a whole. My confidence in sales has grown and my ability in customer service has developed greatly. I have learnt about stock maintenance and the effect of proactive ordering.

Whilst I enjoy learning more and being able to develop my understanding of the industry and my job role, the programme is tricky to fit in with my day to day job role. The programme is good for getting an in depth knowledge of the job, but writing up what I have done takes a while.

The programme is very well organised and structured, but with communication being limited to zoom calls the support feels limited. I have no contact with my cohort so it is hard to judge how I am doing in comparison to everyone else and whether my progress is in line with the others.

My employer is very supportive and allows me the time to get my work done. I feel comfortable enough to ask for help whenever I need it and my line manager always encourages my development. Travis Perkins are very keen to support apprentices and have allowed me to visit SMEs to further my knowledge.

If I ask for help from my coach then she will always get back to me, however most conversation is either over email or on a pre arranged zoom call and so it's not as simple as face to face, though it helps as much as I need it to.

A lot of what is covered in the course is part of my job role anyway, however there is more depth in my understanding as a result of the course. The writing up of my work takes time away from my time spent performing my job duties, however the learning is helpful.

The company has many fundraisers for the charity Macmillan Cancer Support and I have attended a couple, including a 5-a-side football tournament where I went to support my colleagues. At this event I met with my Regional Director who introduced me to the Managing Director of Travis Perkins and we discussed my future career.

Yes

Travis Perkins is a great company with great values. There is a family ethos throughout the structure of the business and it supports career progression. There are many opportunities within the company to learn and develop skills at each level, meaning the support is constant throughout anybody's time with the company.

If I was to give advice to someone applying to Travis Perkins Plc, I would tell them to show that they are willing to learn and are not afraid to ask questions. Any effort given to the company will be reciprocated and the opportunities for development and career progression are endless.