Kirstie Manning
Southowram,Halifax
Summary
I currently enjoy a self employed, design & specification career within the Kitchen & Bathroom sector, where I have worked for over 25 years.
I have an amazing amount of passion for bathroom design, and the products available to us today. I find it extremely rewarding when I can specify industry leading products to create my customers perfect bathroom sanctuary , often creating designs they think cannot be achieved. Clients put trust in me to listen and deliver their dream solution within their budget.
Previous to going self employed after Covid, I spent an entire career being an Area Sales Manager for various luxury brand manufacturers within the KBB sector. My roles involved dealing with all levels from shop floor to management, house builders and contractors.
I take great pride in my work , I have the passion and drive to constantly deliver outstanding results and unrivalled customer service.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Bathroom Designer & Specifier
Self Employed
Southowram, Calderdale
11.2021 - Current
- Establish client lifestyles, hobbies and all life aspects to gain ideas and be able to design & select the perfect products for clients. Then specify what is needed for design and supply
- Created mood boards to aid early design and planning phases.
- Maintained excellent project progress through strategic coordination of renovation teams.
- Briefed decorating teams on project requirements.
- Manage whole project from concept to completion.
- Achieve unique, bespoke interior schemes through considered client collaboration.
- Monitor evolving design trends to offer innovative interiors solutions.
Area Sales Manager
Ambiance Bain Furniture Ltd
Leeds, Yorkshire
07.2020 - 11.2021
- Opened new client accounts in both retail and all areas of trade, from house builder to contractors to hotels. I placed display products within showrooms and trade areas to get best visibility for our ranges, and ensure staff fully trained and confident in selling to end user/ contractor.
- Always ensure I have technical knowledge relating to products, what I don't know i endeavour to find out.
- Collected customer and market feedback on trends and competitors and reported information to company leadership.
- Drove business development by cultivating strong supplier relationships and executing benefit-oriented sales presentations to prospects.
- Analysed sales to identify top-performing products.
- Achieved exceptional customer service..
NE Area Sales Manager
Crosswater Ltd
London, Kent
06.2011 - 02.2019
- Developed strong relationships with clients in retail and trade sector, specifying to local house builders and contractors. Offering ongoing training to ensure confidence in selling our brand of bathroom products.
- Analysed data and identified opportunities to maximise area turnover.
- Addressed customer issues with compassion and professionalism, ensuring swift, successful resolution.
- Expanded customer base through strong service and multi-channel marketing strategies.
- Employed outstanding communication and conflict-resolution abilities to swiftly resolve customer complaints.
NE Area Sales Manager
Robert Lee Distribution
Yorkshire
01.2007 - 06.2011
- Upskilled staff through targeted training opportunities, enhancing team capabilities.
- Tale on a brand new area where we had no coverage and expand the company's coverage into the North of England. This area was serviced out of a Tamworth distribution depot to start with.
- I opened so many new trade and retail accounts we had to open a new depot further North to service the area, as the Tamworth depot could no longer service the amount of customer orders we were receiving daily.
- Grew the area over 3 years to a turnover of approx 1 million whilst up against tough competition from Ideal Bathrooms and other long established companies.
- Constantly seeking out new opportunities on the area.
Education
NVQ 2 - Business NVQ 2 , 1995 - 1997
Huddersfield Technical College
HuddersfieldNVQ 2 - Information Technology 1995 - 1997
Huddersfield Technical College
Maths - C, English- B & C, German - C, French - B
King James's School
HuddersfieldSkills
- Skilled problem solver
- Creative
- In Depth product knowledge
- Effective communication with people of all ages and from all parts of the community
- Customer needs analysis
- Good understanding of first & second fix plumbing
- Excellent understanding of site needs and expectations
- CAD drawings
- Health and Safety awareness
- Excellent customer service skills
Timeline
Bathroom Designer & Specifier
Self Employed
11.2021 - Current
Area Sales Manager
Ambiance Bain Furniture Ltd
07.2020 - 11.2021
NE Area Sales Manager
Crosswater Ltd
06.2011 - 02.2019
NE Area Sales Manager
Robert Lee Distribution
01.2007 - 06.2011
NVQ 2 - Business NVQ 2 , 1995 - 1997
Huddersfield Technical College
NVQ 2 - Information Technology 1995 - 1997
Huddersfield Technical College
Maths - C, English- B & C, German - C, French - B
King James's School
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