Branch Manager | Technical Sales & Operations
Dublin | Full-Time | €60,000 – €95,000 DOE + Bonus + Benefits
Sector: Plumbing | Heating | Drainage | Mechanical Services | Technical Distribution | Construction Supply
The Opportunity
Linkedskills is recruiting an experienced Branch Manager - Technical Sales & Operations for an established Dublin-based technical distribution branch serving the plumbing, heating, drainage, mechanical services and construction sectors.
This is a hands-on leadership position suited to someone who can combine technical product knowledge, customer relationships, sales growth, operational control and team leadership.
The successful candidate will lead a small branch team of approximately five employees across trade counter, customer service, warehouse, sales support and branch operations.
This role suits an experienced Branch Manager, Assistant Branch Manager, General Manager, Technical Sales Manager, Senior Trade Counter Manager, or Commercial Manager from a plumbing, heating, mechanical, drainage, pipeline, builders merchant, or technical distribution background.
The Role
Reporting to senior management, you will be responsible for the day-to-day commercial and operational performance of the branch.
This is not a desk-based management role. The successful candidate will be expected to lead from the front, remain visible within the branch, support customers directly and work closely with the team to deliver strong service, sales and operational performance.
You will be responsible for:
- Branch performance
- Sales growth
- Customer relationships
- Team leadership
- Trade counter standards
- Stock availability
- Product movement
- Pricing and margin awareness
- Supplier coordination
- Operational standards
- Customer service
- Profitability
Key Responsibilities
Branch Operations
- Manage the branch's day-to-day operations.
- Lead a team of approximately five employees across counter, warehouse, customer service and sales support.
- Ensure the branch operates efficiently, professionally and safely.
- Maintain strong stock control, product availability and inventory accuracy.
- Support warehouse, delivery and trade counter activity where required.
- Monitor branch performance, service levels and operational standards.
- Resolve customer, supply, stock and operational issues quickly and professionally.
- Maintain health and safety, housekeeping, and company procedures.
Customer & Contractor Relationships
- Build and maintain strong relationships with plumbers, heating engineers, mechanical contractors, M&E contractors, installers, consultants, engineers and trade customers.
- Support customers with product selection, quotations and technical enquiries.
- Understand customer requirements and recommend practical product solutions.
- Develop customer loyalty and repeat business.
- Conduct customer engagement, follow-up and account development activity.
- Represent the branch professionally with contractors and industry customers.
Sales & Business Development
- Drive sales growth and branch profitability.
- Develop existing customer accounts and identify new commercial opportunities.
- Support project-led and contractor-led sales activity.
- Promote plumbing, heating, drainage, mechanical and specialist product ranges.
- Manage pricing, gross margin and commercial opportunities.
- Work closely with senior management to deliver sales and profitability objectives.
- Identify opportunities to grow market share across Dublin and Leinster.
Team Leadership
- Lead, motivate and develop branch employees.
- Create a positive, customer-focused and commercially aware branch culture.
- Support employee training, development and performance.
- Lead by example through active involvement in branch activity.
- Communicate regularly with the team to ensure priorities are clear.
- Encourage accountability, strong service standards and operational discipline.
Essential Requirements
The successful candidate should have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Branch management
- Assistant branch management
- General management
- Senior trade counter management
- Technical sales management
- Commercial management
- Distribution operations
- Contractor account management
You should also bring:
- Strong knowledge of plumbing, heating, drainage, pipeline, mechanical or technical construction products.
- Experience dealing directly with contractors, plumbers, heating engineers, M&E contractors, consultants, engineers or trade customers.
- Proven ability to grow sales and develop customer relationships.
- Commercial awareness, including sales targets, pricing, gross margin and profitability.
- Understanding of stock control, product availability, purchasing or supplier relationships.
- Strong communication and problem-solving ability.
- A practical, visible and hands-on leadership style.
Highly Desirable
- Plumbing merchant experience.
- Builders merchant experience.
- Drainage, pipeline or mechanical supply experience.
- Trade counter management experience.
- Existing contractor or customer network across Dublin / Leinster.
- Experience supporting project-driven sales.
- Exposure to M&E contractors, local authorities, civil contractors or large commercial customers.
- Experience with specialist product ranges, hire, tooling or contractor support services.
Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who is commercially strong, technically credible and operationally capable.
The right person will be comfortable working closely with customers, supporting technical product conversations, developing sales opportunities and helping the branch team deliver excellent service.
This role would suit someone who enjoys being involved in the business day-to-day, rather than managing from a distance.
You may already be a Branch Manager, or you may be a senior technical sales professional, trade counter leader, operations manager or commercial manager ready to move into a broader branch leadership role.
Package
- Salary: €60,000 – €95,000 DOE
- Performance-related bonus
- Health insurance
- Approved mileage and business expenses
- Additional company benefits
- Full-time permanent employment
- Ongoing training and development
- Long-term career progression
Confidential Recruitment Process
Linkedskills Expert Talent Solutions is managing this recruitment process on behalf of an established Irish technical-products and distribution organisation.
The employer’s identity will be disclosed only to suitably qualified candidates after an initial confidential discussion.
We will treat all applications and enquiries in strict confidence.
To apply, please send your CV to Agnieszka@linkedskills.ie or call 086 035 9977 for confidential consideration.
Skills
Branch Management | Technical Sales | Plumbing & Heating | Drainage | Mechanical Products | Pipeline Products | Technical Distribution | Construction Supply | Trade Counter | Team Leadership | Commercial Management | Stock Control | Customer Development | Gross Margin | Contractor Relationships