Assistant Branch Manager Review

I am assistant branch manager, my daily role includes looking through management accounts, booking in products, serving customers, organising work for 3 staff members and sorting any issues that may arise or involve the manager if required. I organise transport detail, input orders either trade or bathroom. I also deal with any queries whether they come through via telephone or email. If any of our customers have any issues I also deal with these too.

I have developed many important skills for example my time management has improved. I have learnt new techniques to be able to deal with the many things that we have to juggle with in this type of fast pace business. I have also learnt how to have difficult conversations not only with our members of staff but also with suppliers as well when they have not delivered what we have asked for, or if the product is damaged or has not arrived at all etc.

I thoroughly enjoyed the programme and have encouraged a member of staff to look in to this as well. I found the trainers and mentor were really attentive, they were very knowledgeable about all subjects and topics that we discussed. Both trainers and mentors always had time to discuss any issues or problems that you were facing and made sure that things were resolved or you understood topics etc. I have recommended this programme to people.

The programme I feel was well organised, we knew in advance where and when the meetings would be held. Also we knew where the study support meetings were, and if the location of these meetings were not feasible to get to we had the opportunity to do it at another branch that is part of the Travis Perkins Group. The only thing is the support required in branch to allow for time to complete work, however I understand this is not feasible.

I received an awful lot of support from my employer as I understood the responsibility was on me to ensure that my employer knew where I was with regards to the programme. We talked together to find out where I could work from home in order to get the coursework completed. I also discussed with my manager the activities that I needed to complete and what I wanted out of it, my manager was able to give me room to do this.

As per last question, I received a lot of support from my mentor and the training team as well. Our branch had some difficulties which meant that I was not always able to attend the training sessions, however I was able to make these up with the training mentor at a time that suited us both. I also received support from my mentor and would arrange a day when we could sit down and go through things together.

I feel that the programme has helped me in my day to day role and through bigger things that I do on a more weekly/ monthly basis, such as looking at management accounts. I am better able to have difficult conversations more diplomatically, and am better equipt to thinking outside the box when looking for cost saving in management accounts etc. I feel that I am also better prepared working towards becoming a branch manager.

As a branch we do run branch events, such as golf or track days for our customers as this makes them feel valued. It is a time where we can discuss what is working well for our customers and what they feel could do with improvement, or if they have new endeavour in which we can help and support. We also do events to raise money for the charity such as a mud run, we do get all our trade customers involved and have a great time.

Yes

I believe this company helps to support you move up the ladder if you chose to create a career here. There is plenty of support available throughout the apprenticeship programme and other branches. Also there are good financial benefits for working for Travis Perkins Group which is a bonus and good morale boost. I find our team works very well together and our trade customers are very friendly. It is nice to see different faces every day.

The advice I would give to anyone looking to apply for a job with Travis Perkins is to be honest about yourself and really show your strengths whilst completing the application. The interview process is always nerve racking, but try your best to relax, everyone I have spoken to is very friendly. There are a number of experiences and opportunities to excel whilst working for Travis Perkins, if that is was you want to do.