Work Environment
Builders Merchants typically work in the following Career Sectors:
Videos on the Web
- Builders Merchant- from: Youtube Search
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Coaching and Developing Others Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
- Training and Teaching Others Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
- Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
The Work
Builders' merchants supply building craftspeople such as plumbers, builders, electricians etc, with the items that they need to do their jobs. They also sell these products to members of the public.
Builders' merchants differ from the large superstores that cater for do-it-yourself (DIY) enthusiasts in the range of their stock and the expertise of their staff. Most builders' merchants specialise in particular types of supplies such as timber, electrical or bathrooms. They would have members of staff who would be qualified to talk about their designated area.
The trade is divided into two areas. The 'heavy side' covers sand, cement, bricks, ballast etc, and the 'light side' provides plumbing, sanitary ware, decorating equipment etc.
Work as a builders' merchant involves all the tasks done in general distribution. One major aspect of the work is ordering stock, both in bulk and for individual customers. In large organisations, this is computerised and goods are automatically reordered when they fall below a certain level. In smaller firms, stock has to be counted manually and the related paperwork is also done by hand. In either case, there is a great deal of clerical work and dealing with office equipment and office procedures. Also, there are often long discussions with suppliers about the right type and amount of stock needed. This side of the job may also mean doing some work in the warehouse, checking in items, storing and distributing them. They need to store their stock in such a way that it can be easily be inspected by prospective customers.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Direct and coordinate activities involving sales of manufactured products, services, commodities, real estate or other subjects of sale.
- Resolve customer complaints regarding sales and service.
- Review operational records and reports to project sales and determine profitability.
- Oversee regional and local sales managers and their staffs.
- Determine price schedules and discount rates.
- Prepare budgets and approve budget expenditures.
- Monitor customer preferences to determine focus of sales efforts.
- Plan and direct staffing, training, and performance evaluations to develop and control sales and service programs.
- Direct, coordinate, and review activities in sales and service accounting and record-keeping, and in receiving and shipping operations.
- Direct clerical staff to keep records of export correspondence, bid requests, and credit collections, and to maintain current information on tariffs, licenses, and restrictions.
Further Information
- Builders Merchant - from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Builders Merchant
As a builders' merchant, you'll need to be fit and healthy as you'll spend much of your time on your feet, and you may have to help with moving and lifting heavy goods and materials. Depending on the sort of products being sold, the work may not be suitable if you have allergies to dust or have chest complaints.
It is important to be able to learn quickly, and to build up product knowledge. You also need to be confident when dealing with suppliers and customers, the majority of whom are experienced trades people seeking expert assistance. You should have a certain level of expertise in the items or products you are trying to sell.
A good standard of numeracy is vital since you'll have to make calculations, estimate both cost and quantity of goods and cope with large amounts of money. The office duties involved require a good standard of written and spoken English. A working knowledge of computers is essential.
Communication and people skills are important.
Interests - Builders Merchant
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Entry - Builders Merchant
No specific qualification or background is necessarily required, but experience in construction, warehousing or retail could be helpful.
Training & Development
FET Centre Traineeship: Business Admin, Builders Merchants Sales, Retail Associate, Supervisory Management in centres around Ireland NFQ Level 5-6 Search our FET Coursefinder
FET PLC Courses: Business Management, Sales, Marketing, Commerce, and Accounting at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search our FET PLC Coursefinder
Apprenticeship: Sales, Retail Supervision Apprenticeships NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships
Professional Development
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Builders Merchant
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €39k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Indeed/ Excel
Last Updated: March, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Builders Merchant
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
There was a large fall in employment levels between 2021 and 2022, declining by over 9.000 persons. Employment for this occupation is across a number of roles (e.g. sales supervisors, window dressers, street traders and debt collectors). A shift in business models, particularly to online selling, may reduce the demand for in-person sales related activities (e.g. van sales persons or window dressers) in the coming years.
Construction related technicians are included in overall total but numbers are too small to report.
Useful Contacts - Builders Merchant
-
Hardware Association Ireland
- Blackchurch Business Park, Naas Road, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin, D24 C796
- 01 298 0969
- Click Here
