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Builders' merchant
Builders' merchants sell building and DIY products and materials.
Average salary (a year)
£16000
Starter
£30000
Experienced
Typical hours (a week)
39.0 to 41.0 hours
a week
Work Hours
evenings / weekends / bank holidays
on shifts
How to become
Explore the different ways to get into this role
You can get into this job through:an apprenticeship; applying directly
Apprenticeship
You could get into this job through a trade supplier intermediate apprenticeship.
This typically takes 12 months to complete as a mix of learning in the workplace and off-the-job study.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
More Information
equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
Direct Application
You could apply directly to work as a builders' merchant.
You may find it useful to have GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), including maths and English. Experience in construction, warehousing or retail could be helpful.
More Information
Further Information
You can find out more about working as a builders' merchant from Building Materials Careers.
What it takes
Find out what skills you’ll use in this role
Skills and knowledge
You'll need:
    To be thorough and pay attention to detail
    The ability to work well with others
    Customer service skills
    The ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
    Excellent verbal communication skills
    The ability to work well with your hands
    Physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
    The ability to organise your time and workload
Digital Skills Level
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
Other Requirements
Some jobs with a builders' merchant may involve driving trucks up to 7.5 tonnes. For these you'll need to have a category C1 driving licence.
Related Restrictions
have forklift truck driver training for some jobs
What you will do
Discover the day-to-day tasks you’ll do in this role
Day to day tasks
On a typical day you could
give product information to customers, load and unload deliveries by hand or with a forklift truck, process orders and handle payments, move goods to storage areas, put orders together and organise deliveries, advise customers about which materials to use, complete stock control paperwork or update computerised stock lists
Working environment
You could work at a builder's yard or at a store.
You may need to wear protective clothing.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
Career Path & Progression
Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities
With experience, you could progress to supervisor or manager.
Job profile data provided by The National Careers Service.
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