James Pollitt

In the Sales Management role I would handle incoming sales enquiries via telephone, website, email and social media. Additionally I would deal with customers on a one to one basis in the showroom and/or arrange home visits if preferable to the client.

I would effectively utilise my extensive background in sales coupled with comprehensive knowledge of the various types of floorcoverings and the technical aspects of installation, to best engage customers and ensure their requirements could be achieved.

I would carry out on-site surveys and assessments of subfloors and produce detailed customer quotations.

I would liaise with suppliers representatives and conduct periodic reviews of all ancillary product pricing to ensure maximum profitability.

In the Showroom Management role I was responsible for the day to day management of the busy showroom premises, ensuring it was welcoming and presentable and that Point of Sale display equipment was current and well stocked.

I would ensure the effectiveness of display equipment by conducting periodic performance reviews of such, and would source alternative options and agree terms with relevant manufacturers as and when necessary.

Working for a distributor of floorcoverings and ancillary products I was responsible for the management of approx. 350 contract and retail accounts with a combined turnover of £4m in a large region of Northern England, encompassing North, South and West Yorkshire, parts of East Lancashire, North Cheshire and North Derbyshire.

I would actively promote the company's portfolio of over 5000 product lines during routine visits; building and maintaining strong relationships to ensure sales targets could be met and/or exceeded.

I would generate company growth by following up sales leads and employing traditional methods of cold-calling on any relevant business in my area of operations.

Additional functions of the role included:

• To provide a comprehensive advisory service on product selection, installation and maintenance.
• The provision of product sampling and the placement of display equipment etc.
• To organise events and other corporate hospitality.
• After-sales support including the resolution of customer complaints, product warranties and accounts queries.

Starting as a Modern Apprentice in the sales office I progressed to CTSD Supervisor for this market-leading international manufacturer of floorcovering products, responsible for the output of the department and the supervision of four staff members.

The department was responsible for the provision of technical support to the UK customer base, as well as other internal departments and external sales teams.

Another primary function was the investigation, resolution and internal reporting of all customer complaints.

To fulfil the function it was necessary to attain a high level of industry knowledge in the design, performance and installation of synthetic floorcoverings, as well as a comprehensive understanding of all associated legal and regulatory requirements; encompassing British, European and International Standards.

I would conduct on-site assessments in both commercial and residential environments, carry out detailed investigations and undertake the testing of materials in both home and external laboratories.

I would liaise with customers and produce detailed correspondence with the ultimate aim of resolving the complaint to their satisfaction, whilst also ensuring the reputation of the product would be maintained.

I would assist the production divisions with their goal of continual product improvement, and the marketing team with the creation of sales and technical literature and sampling.