Trade Sales Counter Operative Apprentice
Watermark Plumbing Supplies
Huddersfield (HD13QD)
Closes in 18 days (Monday 19 October 2026)
Posted on 29 September 2026
Contents
Summary
Start your career with Watermark Plumbing Supplies as a Trade Sales Counter Operative Apprentice. You'll gain hands-on experience in customer service, sales, stock management and branch operations while working towards a nationally recognised Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship. Learn from experienced professionals and earn while you learn.
- Wage
-
£16,640 to £26,436.80, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Trade supplier (level 2)
- Hours
-
Days and shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 26 October 2026
- Duration
-
1 year 3 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
As a Trade Sales Counter Operative Apprentice, you'll be part of a friendly branch team, helping customers find the products they need and ensuring the branch runs smoothly. You'll receive full training and support while developing a wide range of skills in customer service, sales and branch operations.
Your duties will include:
- Serving customers face-to-face and over the phone
- Building positive relationships with customers
- Learning about products and providing advice and solutions
- Processing customer orders and quotations
- Supporting stock control and stock replenishment
- Assisting with deliveries and goods inwards
- Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment
- Working closely with colleagues to deliver excellent customer service
Where you'll work
Unit 1A Broadfield Mills
Albert Street
Huddersfield
HD13QD
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LEARNING SKILLS PARTNERSHIP LTD
Training course
Trade supplier (level 2)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Knowledge and understanding of the organisation’s: communicating confidently to internal and external customers about the company and how it operates
- Knowledge and understanding of the organisation’s: identifying and communicating with the relevant person if a threat or risk to the business is identified
- specialist trade customer profile of the business: using appropriate techniques and forms of communication to put customers at ease and gain their trust.
- specialist trade customer profile of the business: delivering customer service that exceeds customer expectations
- specialist trade customer profile of the business: identifying customer requirements and referring them onwards in an appropriate manner
- trade counter and telesales services: assisting customers in exploring product ranges and alternative and complementary products and services, based on the fundamental underpinning product knowledge
- trade counter and telesales services: identifying the customers’ requirements, matching them to the trade supplier’s products and services
- trade counter and telesales services: delivering accurate product information, to enable the customer to make a decision on products and services and know how to access the detailed technical specification of a product when required.
- trade counter and telesales services: securing a trade sale using appropriate selling techniques, both face to face and on the telephone, and methods to complete the transaction.
- trade counter and telesales services: applying basic merchandising techniques used within the business.
- trade counter and telesales services: applying the key principles of selling in a trade supplier environment, using a variety of methods, which may include unique selling points, upselling, and link selling to secure and complete sales transactions.
- trade counter and telesales services: communicating with customers using various methods and systems appropriate to the situation
- trade counter and telesales services: applying the key principles of administration and working practices to accurately prepare, store, communicate and process businesses documentation.
- trade counter and telesales services: processing information, to the key standards of data protection, security and intellectual property rights.
- key principles of warehousing and stock control: processing and recording the receipt, storage, assembly and despatch of goods.
- key principles of warehousing and stock control: receiving stock, despatching customer orders and processing returns in line with company processes.
- key principles of warehousing and stock control: loading /unloading of supplier and contractor vehicles
- technologies that are appropriate to the role: using technology appropriately and efficiently in line with business policy, e.g. PoS (point of sale) machines, PCs
- technologies that are appropriate to the role: demonstrating the use of various technologies, e.g. bespoke/in house or off the shelf software packages to others.
- legislative responsibilities relating to the business, products and/or services being sold: complying with legal requirements to minimise risk and build customer confidence.
- legislative responsibilities relating to the business, products and/or services being sold: minimising disruption to the business and maintaining the safety and security of people at all time
- legislative responsibilities relating to the business, products and/or services being sold: taking appropriate action if a breach of H&S regulations is identified.
- personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business: building two-way trust and contribute to working within a team
- personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business: collaborating with colleagues to resolve problems.
- personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business: managing personal performance by completing tasks to agreed standards and timescales and by taking action to resolve problems and communicating issues beyond own level of competence.
- personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business: demonstrating effective time management through planning and prioritising own workload.
- personal responsibilities and performance contribute to the success of the team and the business: identifying own strengths, weaknesses and development needs.
Training schedule
As part of your Apprenticeship, you will be enrolled onto a nationally recognised Level 2 Trade Supplier Apprenticeship via our training partner, Learning Skills Partnership. Your apprenticeship typically takes 15 months to complete and is fully supported through work based learning, this means that all training is done at the workplace eliminating the need to attend college. The successful candidate will be allocated a tutor who will provide a mixture of interactive online group teaching and 1-1 training monthly.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- Maths (grade 4/C)
- English (grade 4/C)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Organisation skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Customer care skills
- Initiative
About this employer
At Watermark Plumbing Supplies, we provide a first-class service to both trade professionals and members of the public across Yorkshire. As an independent plumbing and heating merchant, we pride ourselves on supplying quality products from leading brands at competitive prices. What sets us apart is our people. We believe excellent customer service, expert advice and strong relationships make all the difference. Our team works hard to deliver a consistent, friendly and professional experience for every customer, helping to build long-lasting relationships that continue to grow and flourish.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
This is a fantastic opening to apply for permanent employment upon completion of the apprenticeship.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LEARNING SKILLS PARTNERSHIP LTD
Learning Skills Partnership
holly.parkinson@learningskillspartnership.com
01482 338844
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000056082.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Monday 19 October 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.