Robert Prentice
Glasgow
Summary
Results-driven Business Manager with 25 years in Electrical Wholesale, advancing from Trade Counter to Business Manager. Expertise in business development, sales, account management, and supplier negotiations. Skilled in identifying opportunities, developing accounts, and ensuring profitability while delivering customer-centric solutions. Strong financial acumen, team leadership, and operational management, supported by extensive electrical product knowledge.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
BUSINESS MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2026 - Current
- Identify and develop new customer opportunities to increase live trading accounts and sales revenue.
- Developed customer accounts and generated new business to support profitable sales growth and enhance operational performance of medium-sized branch.
- Managed existing accounts to maximise retention and drive repeat business, contributing to overall growth and profitability.
- Conducted proactive customer visits and telephone contact to strengthen relationships with prospective and existing clients.
- Negotiate customer pricing, commercial terms and payment arrangements.
- Monitor sales, margins, account performance and profitability to identify growth opportunities.
- Manage commercial queries and provide effective solutions tailored to customer requirements.
- Support cash collection and effective account management.
- Negotiate supplier pricing and maintain strong relationships to support current and future projects.
- Lead and manage a team of five, providing direction, support and motivation.
- Oversee stock levels and contribute to the effective day-to-day running of the branch.
- Work within budgetary constraints while balancing customer requirements with commercial objectives.
- Use IT systems and analysis to monitor performance and support commercial decision-making.
ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2025 - 05.2026
- Assisted Branch Manager in daily management of branch operations and team performance.
- Fostered customer-focused, commercially driven culture through team motivation and support.
- Contributed to sales growth and account development while enhancing customer service.
- Assisted with stock management, branch performance and resolution of customer issues.
- Coordinated projects and operational priorities to ensure deadlines were achieved.
- Liaised with customers and suppliers to secure competitive pricing and product availability.
ASSISTANT CLUSTER MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2025 - 11.2025
- Collaborated with Business Managers across cluster to enhance sales growth and profitability through targeted new business development initiatives.
- Contributed to sales strategies and commercial initiatives that strengthened customer engagement and optimised account performance.
- Supported the management of live trading accounts and identified opportunities to increase revenue and margin.
- Analysed trading performance to pinpoint areas for improvement and inform strategic decision-making.
- Shared best practice across branches and supported cluster-wide sales and profit targets.
INTERNAL SALES
Electrical Wholesale
08.2005 - 05.2025
- Generated sales through proactive telesales and account management, engaging customers to drive revenue growth.
- Managed customer accounts, fostering long-standing relationships with customers and suppliers to enhance loyalty and retention.
- Negotiated pricing and commercial terms while maintaining appropriate margins.
- Managed customer enquiries from quotation through to order fulfilment and delivery.
- Supported project-based sales, identifying opportunities to increase customer spend and contribute to overall sales objectives.
- Developed extensive product knowledge and a strong understanding of customer requirements.
- Provided technical and product advice across a broad range of electrical products.
- Worked closely with suppliers to source products, negotiate pricing and resolve availability issues.
- Developed a comprehensive understanding of the operational and commercial aspects of electrical wholesale.
- Built a successful 20-year career within electrical wholesale, progressing from Trade Counter into Internal Sales and developing extensive commercial, technical and customer management experience.
Education
8 Standard Grades -
Skills
- Sales Growth
- Business Development
- Account Management
- Commercial Negotiation
- Customer Retention
- Pricing & Margin Management
- Supplier Management
- Branch Operations
- Stock Management
- Cash Collection
- Project Coordination
- Financial and Commercial Awareness
- Technical Product Knowledge
- Customer Service
- Team Leadership
- Team leadership
Key Experience
- 25+ years' experience within the Electrical Wholesale industry.
- Proven progression from Trade Counter to Business Manager.
- Strong background in business development, sales and account management.
- Extensive experience in commercial negotiation, pricing, margins and profitability.
- Experience managing a team of five.
- Strong customer and supplier relationship management skills.
- Extensive technical knowledge across multiple electrical market sectors.
- Experience supporting branch operations, stock management and financial performance.
Timeline
BUSINESS MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2026 - Current
ASSISTANT CLUSTER MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2025 - 11.2025
ASSISTANT BRANCH MANAGER
Electrical Wholesale
05.2025 - 05.2026
INTERNAL SALES
Electrical Wholesale
08.2005 - 05.2025