Trade Supplier Level 2

Description

Ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services between manufacturers and their skilled trade customer base.

Trade Supplier

Course Duration / 12 Months Level 2

Apprenticeship Standard

Course Overview

Trade Suppliers play a vital role in ensuring an efficient flow of goods and services between manufacturers and their skilled trade customer base.

They operate in a variety of sectors including electrical, plumbing, joinery and general building supplies.Typically, a Trade Supplier will operate a small warehouse and trade counter, which is visited regularly by professional trade customers who have technical knowledge about what they are buying. Trade Suppliers can specialise in roles in a trade business environment, which may include sales, purchasing, account management, logistics and administration.

Trade Suppliers will be dealing with customer sales at the trade counter and over the telephone, and will understand incoming deliveries, stock control and despatch. They will be familiar with processing customer orders and taking delivery of goods and the basic administration related to these functions.

A key element of their role will be to have technical knowledge of the products and services offered together with the bespoke systems and equipment used in their trade business. They will communicate with a wide variety of internal and external customers to build relationships and provide a high quality service that encourages repeat business.

Trade Supplier

Course Content

Knowledge

• Structure, mission, objectives and culture and how the role contributes to its success.
• Position in the flow of goods and services, between the manufacturer and the customer,
• Position in the external market and the wider sector within which the business operates, including the roles available in relation to their own career aspirations.
• Internal policies and procedures, how these relate to the role and interact with legislative obligations.
• Vulnerability to situations that pose risk to the brand and/or business reputation

Skills

• Using appropriate techniques and forms of communication to put customers at ease and gain their trust.
• Delivering customer service that exceeds customer expectations
• Identifying customer requirements and referring them onwards in an appropriate manner
• Recognise the products, services and language used by trade customers and the technical application of those product and services
• Receiving stock, despatching customer orders and processing returns in line with company processes
• Using technology appropriately and efficiently in line with business policy, e.g. PoS (point of sale) machines, PCs

Behaviours

• Adopts an approachable and friendly manner, interacting with customers in the style of the business
• Takes an active interest in the range of products and services offered by the works with integrity in an honest and trustworthy manor
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in own performance
• Shows an organised and committed approach, with a positive attitude.
• Takes ownership and responsibility for own performance, is diligent and accurate
• Supports equality and diversity in the workplace
• Uses appropriate Personal Protective Equipment and operates machinery safely and effectively
• Consistently takes into account company environmental and sustainability policies and procedures.