JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016 - 213

FOCUS :

CONSTRUCTION

ank Holiday shopping at
your local DIY store may
be your only knowledge
of the builders' merchant
industry - but don't be
fooled - this sector is more crucial and
dynamic than ever. Made up of builders',
timber and plumbers' merchants (plus
other specialists too), it supplies vital
materials and products to construction
firms, tradespeople and the public.

Business is booming
With a rise in domestic newbuild
housing and commercial refurbishment,
it's a buoyant area of business.
A recent report found 70% of merchants
experienced business growth in 2015.
Increasing demand for building
materials is good news for jobs, and
this sector has plenty of vocational
roles accompanied by formal training
programmes. There are also lots of
chances for promotion and progression.

Words: Olivia Holcombe. Wage information provided by National Careers Service unless otherwise stated. Image: Getty Images

Dealing with customers
As you'd expect from an area of business
which is interlinked with the construction
industry, there are plenty of practical
jobs available, liaising with customers
both inside and outside.
Dealing with companies, tradespeople
and the general public, you'll make
up and deliver orders, and give customers
advice on the best materials and products
to use for a particular project.
Another area of your work might be
to handle payments and monitor stock
levels. Depending on your role, there may
be some physical work involved including
loading/unloading deliveries by hand or
using a forklift truck and moving goods
to storage areas.

Skills needed
If you want to work as a timber or
builders' merchant you'll need to:
* Be practical.
* Enjoy interacting with customers and
be friendly and helpful.
* Know about the products you're selling
(although training will be given).
* Have good maths skills for working out
quantities, measurements and payments.
* Be reasonably fit if your role calls for
lifting and moving materials.
* Be reliable and honest.
* Be aware of health and safety issues.

What's the route into the job?
While no particular qualifications
are needed, GCSEs in maths and
English can help you land your
first job. You may also get a
head start if you've already
worked in retail, construction
or warehousing.
Most merchants offer
training, which ranges from
the on-the-job type to formal
apprenticeship schemes that allow
you to study for qualifications
in areas like warehousing and
storage, sales and logistics or
business administration.
The Builders Merchant Federation
(BMF) careers website (www.merchantrecruitment.co.uk) showcases jobs in the
merchanting sector to school leavers and
has details of apprenticeships, in-job
training as well as higher education. See
also www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Moving up
Gain experience to work your way up to
team leader, yard manager or branch
manager where extra duties would

You'll need good
maths skills for
working out
quantities,
measurements
and payments
involve purchasing, planning, staff
training and health and safety. Or think
about one of these roles within the sector:
* Warehouse operation and management.
* Logistics.
* Product development.
* Human resources.
* Finance.
* Sales and marketing.
* Design.
The fact that products have to be
sourced nationally and globally means
there's plenty of scope for travel with
a career in timber merchanting, in
particular. This would also involve
liaising with HM Revenue & Customs
about importing and transporting

From first job roles
all the way to the
boardroom, there are great
opportunities to meet
young people's aspirations
at every level
Builders Merchant
Federation

timber; arranging for products to be
shipped and deal with shipping, freight
and haulage companies.

Training for management
There are plenty of ways to work your way
up to senior management, too. The
Builders Merchant Federation offers
advanced leadership development
training designed for the sector, such as a
Diploma in Merchanting, which can lead
to a Foundation Degree in Merchanting.
(See www.bmf.org.uk.)
Meanwhile, qualifications specific to
the timber industry include the Level 2
Award in Timber and Panel Products,
and Level 2 (Diploma) in Merchant
Supplies - Timber. (See www.iom3.org.)

How much will I earn?
As a builders' merchant you can expect to
earn from £16,000 to £20,000 a year.
Rise to assistant manager and manager
to see your annual salary increase to
between £20,000 and £30,000.
Timber merchant salaries start at
between £12,000 and £14,000 a year. If
you add wood machining, deliveries or
supervisory duties to your job description
this can rise to around £18,000.
Builders Merchant Federation:
www.bmf.org.uk/
Builders Merchant Journal job page:
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net/jobs
Timber Trade Federation: www.ttf.co.uk
The Institute of Materials, Minerals and
Mining has information on timber-specific
qualifications: www.iom3.org

J O B S & C A R E E R S /// 2 1 3

JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JobsAndCareersWithSarahWillingham2016