RISING STARS
THE ONES TO FOLLOW: PART 11 MATT HIPKINS
MANAGER’S VIEW
Matt started working in the yard on Saturdays when he was 14, cleaning and tidying and helping with housekeeping. He had always had a really strong work ethic. He continued to work through all the roles in the yard and has always felt like he has a point to prove, trying to work harder and faster than anyone else, eager to take on the unpleasant jobs. He would only be happy when a department manager wouldn’t want to let him move on as they wanted to keep him in their team.
He continued to work through every department, including purchase ledger, credit control, shop counter and sales office with the same determination to be the best. Nothing is ever too much trouble for Matt, whether dealing with customers or helping colleagues.
What’s your role?
I am area sales manager at Emerys - Timber and Builders Merchants, part oof the Joseph Parr group of mercant companies.
How did you get into this industry? I started by working Saturdays and during my half term holidays. I then progressed through from working outside in the yard to the trade counter and then on over time to become the area manager once I’d finished school and could then work full time.
What might a typical day for you at work be? On a typical day, I get into the office early to work through emails and speak to a few people. Then I’ll go out for meetings to try and bring in new business, meet new people and catch up with our current account customers.
What were you doing at work last week? The usual, really! Continuing with general builders merchant stuff, which included having a meeting with a big contractor. I’m also refurbishing a house in my spare time as well so I’m keeping myself busy.
What are your big challenges in this role? Mainly it’s having to go up against our local competition. Plus, there’s the challenge of trying to secure new business and running everything as efficiently as I can, without getting swallowed into a day-to-day sales role.
Organising events is something I particularly enjoy because they tend to be at the racetrack and I am something of a petrol-head.
BMJ talks to the Rising Stars of the
industry.Those individuals whose managers have pinpointed as regularly going above and beyond.
Job title: Area Sales Manager Company: Emerys - Timber and Builders Merchants
What do you love about your role? What’s great about it is that no two days are the same. I love mixing with people and the huge variety of jobs that we get to be involved in means that I’m always doing something different and getting to know new characters in this industry.
What do you think has been your biggest achievement so far in your role? That would probably be doubling turnover and profit reached in my first year after taking over my role.
What would you like to achieve next? Ideally, I’d like to go on to manage one of my own branches. I like a challenge and the ability to strive to achieve more. I’d like to see how much I can push myself and see how far my career can go as well as enjoying managing people.
What advice would you give someone new to this industry?
Make sure you pay attention to detail, so each job is done well without having to go back to it. Enjoy what you’re doing and make sure that comes across to everyone you deal with.
What are the changes you foresee the industry making in order to survive the future?
Moving to online is the main one. It’s very traffic- based so it’ll have to become more sustainable and recyclable products. It will have to evolve and change with the times. We also need to share more information and educate people on what happens in the industry and how to improve.
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 November 2019
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