Retail Apprentice

HOWARTH TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES LIMITED

Mansfield (NG19 7JG)

Closes on Monday 22 June 2026

Posted on 19 May 2026

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Summary

To support the day-to-day operations of a busy Plumbing & Heating merchant counter.To assist in delivering excellent customer service across the plumbing, heating and renewables product ranges, both in the trade counter and yard.To help ensure all areas of the branch operate safely, efficiently and in line with company standards.

Wage

£16,640 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Retailer (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 8am - 5pm, Fridays 7:30am - 4pm. Age dependant.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 July 2026

Duration

1 year 2 months

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

  • Provide a high standard of customer service at all times, assisting customers with plumbing and heating enquiries and directing them to the correct products
  • Support the trade counter by helping customers identify and select appropriate plumbing and heating materials (e.g. pipework, fittings, boilers, radiators, and accessories)
  • Assist with goods in and out, including loading and unloading delivery vehicles, checking in stock, and safely storing plumbing and heating products
  • Carry out gate person responsibilities, helping to minimise stock loss by monitoring vehicles and, where required, checking outgoing loads
  • Pick, pack, and prepare customer orders accurately, including trade collections and online orders, ensuring correct plumbing and heating items are supplied
  • Replenish stock on the shop floor and in the warehouse, ensuring plumbing and heating products are well presented, correctly labelled, and easy to locate
  • Learn to safely handle a wide range of materials including pipes, radiators, sanitaryware, and heating equipment, using manual handling techniques and equipment (e.g. forklift truck if trained)
  • Sort, organise, and manage stock within the warehouse and yard, maintaining clear and safe storage areas
  • Keep all working areas clean, tidy, and compliant with health and safety requirements, particularly when handling equipment and materials used in plumbing and heating
  • Develop knowledge of core plumbing and heating systems and products to support customer queries and build confidence in a trade environment
  • Undertake any other reasonable duties in line with the role and level of responsibility

Where you'll work

204 Chesterfield Road North
Mansfield
NG19 7JG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE

Training course

Retailer (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Communicate with customers to meet their requirements and encourage customer loyalty and repeat business.
  • Serve customers in line with brand standards, legislation, business procedures and the values of the business.
  • Provide a retail service that balances the customers’ needs with additional linked products and services.
  • Use face to face or online sales techniques such as product and price comparisons to support or influence the customer in their purchasing decisions.
  • Promote seasonal or local offers through in-store or online promotions.
  • Identify situations that may damage business reputation in line with company policy and escalate as required.
  • Maintain good merchandising to meet the needs of the business whilst ensuring safety.
  • Maintain stock levels and storage conditions such as correct temperature, lighting, ventilation, packaging to meet customer demand and minimise stock loss.
  • Use technology and applications to support sales and service ensuring that maintenance issues are reported.
  • Support team and colleague development through buddying and/or coaching.
  • Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement activities which focus on improving sustainability within the business.
  • Handle complaints within remit or escalate as appropriate.
  • Support sales across a range of promotional events throughout the calendar year.
  • Communicate with customers to meet their requirements and encourage customer loyalty and repeat business.
  • Serve customers in line with brand standards, legislation, business procedures and the values of the business.
  • Provide a retail service that balances the customers’ needs with additional linked products and services.
  • Use face to face or online sales techniques such as product and price comparisons to support or influence the customer in their purchasing decisions.
  • Promote seasonal or local offers through in-store or online promotions.
  • Identify situations that may damage business reputation in line with company policy and escalate as required.
  • Maintain good merchandising to meet the needs of the business whilst ensuring safety.
  • Maintain stock levels and storage conditions such as correct temperature, lighting, ventilation, packaging to meet customer demand and minimise stock loss.
  • Use technology and applications to support sales and service ensuring that maintenance issues are reported.
  • Support team and colleague development through buddying and/or coaching.
  • Comply with regulations and legislation relevant to their role and business.
  • Contribute to continuous improvement activities which focus on improving sustainability within the business.
  • Handle complaints within remit or escalate as appropriate.
  • Support sales across a range of promotional events throughout the calendar year.

Training schedule

Retailer Level 2.

We host supporting workshops regularly throughout the apprenticeship which you will attend in person at our designated training site/campus. These workshops are carefully designed to support the learning required throughout the apprenticeship programme.

You will work with expert assessors and tutors to develop new knowledge, skills and behaviours within the profession.

You will experience a blended learning model.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience

About this employer

With over 180 years’ trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service, and knowledge you can rely on.

Now the UK’s largest privately‑owned timber company, our origins can be traced back to 1840 when we commenced trading as Hudson & Co. Over the years the Howarth Timber Group has expanded from a one‑man company to an employer of more than 1,000 people specialists who know the industry inside out. We take great pride in our teams of local experts serving our local communities.

https://www.howarth-timber.co.uk/about-us/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Auto-enrolment into the NH pension scheme, in line with current legislation, provided that they earn over £833 per month and they are aged 22 or over
  • Buy/sell annual leave in line with the policy and with line manager approval

After this apprenticeship

Full-time permanent employment and further career progression for the right candidate.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

WEST NOTTINGHAMSHIRE COLLEGE

Leoni

apprenticeships@wnc.ac.uk

01623 900469

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000032346.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 22 June 2026