RISING STARS
THE ONES TO FOLLOW: PART 4 ANDREW WHITE
MANAGER’S VIEW
Having started as a counter assistant at 18, Andrew’s self-determination meant he rose through the ranks quickly, getting his first branch manager role at just 24. Since that appointment, sales grow by 100%, turning the worst performing branch into the best performing. At only 31, Andrew is now running the largest trading branch in the company and manages a team with a mixture of ages – 25% are younger than him and 40% are over the age of 50. What makes him stand out is his focus on both margin and operational need which has given the Board the confidence to invest in his branch. Top achievements include growing turnover at 18% in a year; this followed a previous year which saw turnover rise 36%. All of this was handled during a period of upheaval – the three acre site had a new 10,000sq ft warehouse built to meet the growth achieved and then the exiting 14,000s ft warehouse was converted to create and enlarged shop and showroom.
What’s your role? Branch Manager of our Newark depot.
How did you get into this industry? I had ideas of going to University after I left sixth form but decided it wasn’t for me. I came to Turnbull’s initially on a temporary basis. The idea was they had some work available through the summer working in the yard at our Boston Branch. I ended up staying on and never left!
What might a typical day for you at work be? A typical day for me is overseeing the day to day activities across the branch. I will ensure that everything is running as it should throughout my department. I have always been very customer focused and sales driven, this is something I stay very much involved with on a day to day basis. I’m very lucky to have an excellent team working with me who help with the running of the branch.
What were you doing at work last week? Dealing with customers, running the transport in my transport manager’s absence. Clearing sales through our system ready to be invoiced. Answering queries. Getting bits together ready for a new starter. Among other tasks which come up throughout the days.
What are your big challenges in this role? My big challenges include; ensuring a happy workforce, this means giving everyone support where needed. Another challenge is ensuring we hit our sales figures. Over the last few years we have seen exceptional growth at the branch and I always want to push it that much further. This has its own challenges with regards to maintaining that level of business and continuing to grow it. Ensuring our customers are completely satisfied with our service and get everything they need. Listening to them to improve where needed.
What do you love about your role? I love the atmosphere within the branch. When things are busy and thriving and everyone is buzzing it is a good feeling. I love the customer interaction. I have worked with a lot of different customers over the years and seen how they have developed there businesses along with how we have developed here.
Rising Stars is sponsored by H+H UK
H+H UK is the largest manufacturer of aircrete building products, including the market-leading range of Celcon Blocks.
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Our focus is the development of products and systems to provide high performance buildings guaranteed to last several lifetimes.
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2019
What do you think has been your biggest achievement so far in your role?
My biggest achievement has been taking on a branch which was falling behind and turning it into the largest branch within the company. Building up an excellent team of people who work within the branch. Continuing to grow and sustain a profitable branch.
What would you like to achieve next? I would like to take what I have done here in Newark to the next level. Use the successes I have seen and created to help the company grow further. Over the years I have always looked for my next challenge and set myself goals. Whilst at Newark my goals have been to help grow the branch.
What advice would you give someone new to this industry?
I suppose it’s the same for any industry. Find something you are passionate about and stick with it. There are plenty of varied roles within this industry which can help individuals develop their skillset.
What would you say to someone thinking about a career in the merchant industry?
I would say that the opportunities available are huge! There are so many different areas to get involved in that there is something for everyone. The skills that I have developed and the confidence I have gained have had a big impact on both my work life and home life. There is so much variety day to day that you will never get bored.
What are the changes you foresee the industry making in order to survive the future? As a builder’s merchant’s we need to continue building on the personal relationships we have with our customers and our suppliers. The internet will always play a big part in the way the consumer purchase’s goods, but it won’t give the level of service and level of expertise like we as builder’s merchant’s offer. The consumer wants to be confident in what they are receiving and being able to walk into a builder’s merchants and see this is something that the internet won’t have. If we don’t lose sight of this then I believe the industry will continue to do well.
BMJ
BMJ talks to the Rising Stars of the
industry.Those individuals whose managers have pinpointed as regularly going above and beyond.
Job title: Heavyside Branch Manager Company: Turnbull & Co Ltd
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