Gavin Hughes
Worcester,United Kingdom
Summary
A hard-working, knowledgeable and target-oriented Sales Manager with an extensive successful sales record. Build and maintain a loyal client base through strong relationship-building skills and devising strategies for increased sales. Skilled in bringing out the best in staff; able to manage effectively and recruit talent. Strong organisational and time management ability; skilled in planning, scheduling and meeting deadlines. Driven to succeed; a valuable addition to a forward-thinking company with strong opportunities for progression. Looking to improve on my sales methods and perhaps be able to bring something new to future employers. I am currently living and working in the UK. The majority of my working career was while in South Africa.
Customer-oriented sales professional with several years of experience building relationships, cultivating partnerships and growing profit channels. Strategic-thinking leader with expertise in expanding network connections, persuasively introducing products, territory development, and revealing customer needs to deliver solutions.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Sales Representative
, United Kingdom
06.2019 - 10.2020
- Calling on Photographic stores, Gift shops, Florists and Garden Centres
- Selling of Photo frames
- Areas covered South and South East Region as well as Somerset and Cornwall
- Coastal areas covered Margate to Portsmouth
Sales Representative
, United Kingdom
11.2018 - 05.2019
- Calling on Travis Perkins, Selco, Jewsons, Screwfix and Dulux stores
- Selling bulk display units into stores
- In store promotions
- Attending Expos doing product demonstrations
- Areas called on were the South and South East regions
Freelance Sales Agent
Self employed freelance sales agent
, South Africa
07.2011 - 08.2018
- Company Overview: Worked with A.Shak, Hamilton brush, Energizer batteries & 3M products
- Identifies and generates leads through networking, cold-calling and marketing, converting into key accounts
- Emphasises product features based on customers' needs and up-sell/cross-sell IT products/services
- Manages the sales cycle from inception to execution
- Increasing sales through merchandising and product training at store level
- Partake in store promotions and carnivals promoting brand in store
- Write quotes and follow up till the sale
- Using a programme called honeybee with all customer information, log the calls and do a stock count and place orders
- Key role in developing the team: conducting appraisals, one-to-ones, training and mentoring
- Worked with A.Shak, Hamilton brush, Energizer batteries & 3M products
Sales Rep/Sales Manager
Hamilton brush
, South Africa
06.1997 - 07.2011
- Company Overview: Promoted Hamilton brushes as well as agents for 3M Abrasives and tapes and Energizer batteries and torches
- Sales rep till 2005
- Maintaining and growing customer base through the hardware and paint stores as well as contractors and builders’ merchants
- Identified and reviewed clients’ marketing requirements to create tailored solutions
- Constructed and presented presentations/proposals to clients based on their marketing objectives
- Driving brand through other channels and identifying potential customers and following up on leads
- Achieved monthly/quarterly revenue targets
- Generated and targeted leads in specialist market/industries
- Promoted to Sales Manager with 4 reps in my team
- Assisted reps with stores they struggled with to improve relationships and sales
- Went out on country trips with the reps to personally meet the owners and buyers and ask how we can improve our service to them
- Keeping reps positive and motivated and assisting in all areas where they have difficulty achieving their objectives
- Create an internal friendly challenge for the reps to achieve with an incentive
- Promoted Hamilton brushes as well as agents for 3M Abrasives and tapes and Energizer batteries and torches
Internal Sales Rep/ Field Sales Rep
Supreme Mouldings
01.1990 - 05.1997
- Sourced leads and cold-called to promote the products, and regularly called both new and existing customers to discuss requirements, negotiate terms and maximise business opportunities
- Built and retained long-term friendships/relationships with customers
- Acted as key point of contact for the company, ensured a high standard of customer service by discussing technical problems or repairs required and recommending suitable products
- Assisted the field sales rep and set up and confirmed appointments
- Promoted to field sales rep, maintained area by regular visits and promoting new picture frames and machinery as well as on site training on start up customers with the machinery
Armed Reaction Officer
Eaglewatch
01.1989 - 03.1990
- Armed Reaction Officer, patrolling neighbourhood and checking on members properties
- Worked 12 hour shifts, responding to panic button and activated alarms
- Worked here after leaving army
Operations medic
South African Medical Services
, South Africa
01.1985 - 12.1987
- Served 2 years national service as an old medic, first 6 months was training then 6 months on local base
- Served 12 months on the Angolan borders and went into battles
Education
Matriculated - English, Afrikaans, Maths, Science, Technical drawing, History, Fitting & Turning
Norkem Park High School
01.1984
Skills
- Microsoft Office (PowerPoint, Word, Excel and Outlook)
Accomplishments
- Self employed freelance sales agent: Achieved area sales of R1.1m in two years to R2.3m
- A.Shak (2011 – 05/2018): Increasing market share and helped building the brand as the number one brand in South Africa, Plasterkey (Bonding aid) since 1957.
- Increase the product ranges throughout the hardware and building merchants.
- Identify store specific needs and product range and driving sales through product training both customers and staff.
- Build customer relationships easily and listen to customers needs.
- Hamilton brush (06/1997 – 06/2011): Was sales rep from 1997 till 2007 and took the area from R60 000.00 per month to over R2m in 5 years.
- Achieved rep of the year twice, 2001 and 2005, coming off a high base.
- 2005 was promoted to area sales manager and had 4 reps in my team, achieved highest growth 2 years in a row 2005 and 2006.
Hobbies and Interests
- Gym
- Outdoors
- Socialising
- Boating
- Braaiing
References
Available on request
Timeline
Sales Representative
06.2019 - 10.2020
Sales Representative
11.2018 - 05.2019
Freelance Sales Agent
Self employed freelance sales agent
07.2011 - 08.2018
Sales Rep/Sales Manager
Hamilton brush
06.1997 - 07.2011
Internal Sales Rep/ Field Sales Rep
Supreme Mouldings
01.1990 - 05.1997
Armed Reaction Officer
Eaglewatch
01.1989 - 03.1990
Operations medic
South African Medical Services
01.1985 - 12.1987
Matriculated - English, Afrikaans, Maths, Science, Technical drawing, History, Fitting & Turning
Norkem Park High School