A market leader in the digital and mechanical locking industry. A designer and manufacturer of market mechanical and digital locking solutions for large enterprises, locking solutions for homeowners and small and medium-sized business and locking equipment for industrial groups providing turnkey solutions.
Our client is expanding the team and currently recruiting for the position of Digital Marketer.
Job Purpose:
To increase our company’s presence and market awareness and gain more market share, we are hiring a Digital Marketer. This position is based in Birmingham (UK) and will report directly to the Sales & Marketing Director.
Main Tasks and Responsibilities
• Manage and optimise digital platforms (company website, B2b customer portal) using our Content Management System (CMS) & Product information management (PIM)
• Grow the social media channels and thus our increasing our presence and awareness
• Create, manage and analyse online marketing campaigns
• Manage leads generation through all digital activities and report via CRM to Sales Team
• Create company newsletters and conduct customer surveys
• Write high-quality content focused on our target markets
In this blog we will be reflecting on the past 12 months and how it has affected us personally as a recruitment business in the architectural ironmongery sector, also the businesses supplying the sector and their employees, as well as job seekers. What was impact for businesses? What is the impact of furlough? What should we expect to happen next?
As we take a bold step hopefully out of the pandemic once and for all, with the most vulnerable people already fully vaccinated and a plan for everyone else to follow, we are feeling optimistic about putting the pandemic behind us. Hopefully, by the time the summer comes, we will be back on track to living a more ‘normal’ life again; meeting friends and family, and visiting pub beer gardens for a nice draught pint again or whatever your tipple.
The impact for businesses
The past 12 months nobody could ever have predicted. Looking back to March last year when we experienced the first UK lockdown there was so much confusion surrounding whether businesses needed to fully close or to what extent they could continue to operate under the new restrictions. Covid-19 has been inescapable for businesses and the construction sector was no different. Obviously, retail, travel, hospitality and the beauty sector were hit the hardest, and unfortunately still remain in the dark a year on. However, many manufacturing businesses supporting the construction sector, and indeed fenestration companies, as well as architectural ironmongers and builders merchants, closed their doors which impacted the sector as a whole.
Getting back to business
For most businesses in the ironmongery trade there was a period of adjustment and contemplation of how they can ‘get back to business’ or continue to trade at all, carefully meandering through the new restrictions, while keeping staff safe and protecting jobs by the use of the furlough scheme.
On the recruitment side of the fence SFR Recruitment Solutions were massively affected by the first lockdown, with businesses closing and operating on skeleton staff, and furloughing staff there wasn’t much need for recruitment, in fact many plans to recruit were instantly put on the backburner. All we could do was support our clients and candidates the best we could during the pandemic, and let them know we are here if they needed us.
Business as normal
Many construction projects remained open during the first lockdown and were hit with a shortage of supply of materials which triggered construction product manufacturers and trade suppliers to plan how they could remain open. With limited staff onsite, trade counters open for collection only and deliveries direct-to-site, businesses in the trade soon realised that it was possible to operate.
The impact of furlough
Perhaps we all agree that the furlough scheme is one of the best things the Government has offered UK businesses. Many businesses used the furlough scheme to protect their themselves from the sharp decline in sales and counterbalancing with lower salary bills, reduced entertainment and travel costs.
This is great news for businesses still needing to use the furlough scheme to protect jobs and support their businesses, however the peak of unemployment is ahead rather than behind us which is an unsettling thought.
Embracing change and hiring accordingly
At the moment getting people back to work is the priority and not recruitment for most companies. However, there needs to be a longer-term view of how businesses plan to pick-up where they left off. The pandemic has fast-tracked digitalisation and we must plan to embrace this change and hire accordingly. For example, more people are buying online than ever before, cancelled holidays has led to a massive surge in the home improvement and DIY market. The majority of businesses supplying this trade have already seen a fruitful comeback.
How can companies best plan for the new skills they need to support growing demand and bring in-house any skills they have found themselves outsourcing during the pandemic such as assistance with online trading and marketing. For many businesses they may find that there has been a shift in the required skillsets post-pandemic, and find themselves requiring assistance with recruitment. Businesses may also be considering whether external roles can become internal or perhaps homebased permanently. Companies who feel they would benefit from some recruitment advice should get in touch with us, or check out some of our useful blogs on our website.
The furlough scheme has given many companies and their employees the opportunity to train and gain new skills. Providing staff with training whilst on furlough is a great way to enhance their skills without the pressure of their usual workload distracting from their studies. Companies should consider how they can take advantage of any new skills when bringing employees back from furlough.
The Guild of Architectural Ironmongery have seen an increase in the number of people taking online courses and diplomas with the GAI. SFR Recruitment Solutions are partners of the GAI and proud to support other members with their recruitment needs, as well as assisting students with finding their next career move.
The employees’ / candidates’ perspective
Time to think and reflect while on furlough, or working part time hours or whatever the situation employees have found themselves in: volunteering, embarking on self-employment, retraining or otherwise, employees may feel they do not want to return to their current job. For some the pandemic has brought about a need for career change, a desire to work remotely permanently, or newly acquired skills means they are now searching for a new role. SFR can support candidates in whatever change they wish to make within the ironmongery, hardware and access control sector.
We have noticed that the number of sales and marketing positions has increased and are now at pre-covid levels. There are lots of vacancies for internal sales executives and business development managers. Anyone considering a new role should check out our vacancies on our website at www.sfrrecruitment.co.uk.
Supporting candidates looking for work
We predict there is going to be a period of ‘displacement’ where employees decide to move on after furlough or unfortunately find that there is no longer a job for them. It is likely that roles alter as businesses realise the full extent of change the pandemic has brought. SFR are best placed to support candidates with their job search, we also offer help with CV writing, interview tips and preparation for video interviews. See some of our useful blogs below:
Now is the perfect time to be optimistic about reaching the end of the pandemic and putting it all behind us! If we can get through this, we really can get through anything! Let’s take our fresh perspective and get our business plans firmly back on track to take full advantage of the continuingly buoyant construction and home improvement market.
Here at SFR Recruitment Solutions, we are employment specialists for the Architectural Ironmongery, Doors, Access Control and Window & Door Hardware industries.
Companies looking to recruit for new roles, or candidates planning their next career move, should get in touch with us at SFR, we would be delighted to help. We can be reached here by email matthew@sfrrecruitment.co.uk or mobile 07512 602431.
Our client is expanding the team and currently recruiting for the position of Industry Sales Manager.
A market leader in the digital and mechanical locking industry. We design, manufacture, and market mechanical and digital locking solutions for large enterprises, locking solutions for homeowners and small and medium-sized business and locking equipment for industrial groups providing turnkey solutions.
Main Tasks & Responsibilities
You will be responsible for the management of a portfolio of clients and more importantly tasked with bringing new prospects business and win specification in a geographical area that extends throughout UK.
You will identify the needs of your customers and advise them in their search for the most suitable solutions and products.
You will identify the needs of your clients and advise them on the most suitable solutions and products from our diverse ranges.
Your involvement will enable you to build a real relationship of trust with your customer base.
· You will be responsible for monitoring sales activity and providing reporting to the Sales Director.
· You will be a real interface between the customers and the company and will pass direct dialogue on information market information from the field and monitor the competition.
Background
We would consider 5 years’ experience in a similar position. You understand and excel at technical specification working closely with RND, you strive to convince your contacts and conquer new markets.
Autonomous and organised, you know how to set up an effective and targeted prospecting schedule.
You will have a good analytical mind and are able to make proposals and adapt to different types of contacts.
You are very comfortable in dealing with others and have the knack of how to create a climate of trust. You know how to deal with adversity, manage possible disputes and complex situations.
You enjoy dialogue and exchange and are open-minded.
This position requires rigor, flexibility, adaptability and strength of character.
You have a good command of the MS Office and hold a current driving licence.
A market leader in the lock technology market throughout the Europe, providing high security keying systems. Our range of branded products encompasses master keyed cylinders with a focus on patented systems providing excellent key control. There is also an innovative range of electronic solutions available, a comprehensive range of high quality Industrial cam locks and cylinders within the range.
We are currently recruiting for the position of Sales and data analyst based in the West Midlands
Background
The successful candidate will work within the customer service department and must be organised, methodical, have excellent customer service skills and be able to multitask.
In addition they will also be responsible for designing master key schedules for the building security industry and will work directly with the sales and production teams.
Ideally, the candidate will have the ability to think analytically, have a good knowledge of using computers, proficient in Microsoft Excel and be confident to undertake training in different internal software applications.
Main tasks & Responsibilities:
Customer:
Liaising directly with customers either by telephone, electronically or occasionally face to face.
Responding promptly to customer enquiries, queries,
Providing help and advice on the company’s product ranges.
Supply pricing and delivery times.
After Sales support and registering customer complaints.
Sending quotations to customers electronically.
Follow up after quotations.
Maintaining records on the CRM.
Order Processing:
Processing orders from customers.
Sending order confirmations.
Communicating and coordinating with internal departments – production, quality, marketing and logistics.
Filing orders when complete.
Administration:
Managing customer accounts
New account applications
Support the regional Sales Managers, pricing, samples and historical orders.
Item creation forms for new products
Product specification
Master Key Calculation
Processing Master Key documents within production
Supporting the sales team in the specification and design of MK systems.
Completing the complaints database.
Archiving.
Hours of Work: 39 hours per week. 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday to Thursday. 8:00am – 4:00pm on Fridays.
If this exciting opportunity looks of interest, please get in touch with SFR Recruitment Solutions
