Manchester Studio Manager

Solus Ceramics are looking for a design led sales and relationship focused individual to manage our studio in Manchester which is located within the heart of central Manchester.  

The position would suit someone with showroom or design experience, preferably from within the specification industry and with a willingness to learn product knowledge and company systems. The successful candidate would understand client needs and would be eager to join a very fast-growing company and can work on their own as well as a part of a team.  

The Studio Manager needs to develop and manage an operating budget for the studio along with helping to achieve a sales budget for the Northwest team increasing company sales and profitability. They will be responsible for managing footfall, client events, material displays & samples, set up mood boards for client presentations and develop specification enquiries. Various sales administration requirements for the Northwest team. 

• Clients
• Architects & Designers
• Area Sales Managers
• Internal Departments, such as, Orders, Samples and Warehouse
• Management and Senior Management Team  

• To ensure the studio is maintained to a high standard and in a professional way at all times
• To assist clients and specifiers alike in their selection of suitable products for their projects
• To liaise with Area Sales Managers and their teams on client meetings/samples to ensure best possible service is given 
• Serve as a liaison between head office and the studio to ensure all customer orders are placed and processed accurately 
• Process architect/contractor/clients sample requests, including web requests as required
• Produce pricing quotations 
• To answer the telephone and assist with general enquires 
• Compose letters and e-mails as required
• Carry out further tasks as may from time to time be delegated to your line manager
• Carry out regular meetings with the team
• Help to co-ordinate special events sponsored within the showroom 
• Participate as a member of the Regional Sales Team 
• Assist with planning, design and co-ordinate installation of new displays
• Manage showroom budgets 

• Similar previous role
• Demonstrate understanding and application of products and the specification process
• Be creative and design led. Demonstrating an ability to guide client to the correct specification of tile products
• Be well connected with the local A & D client base and the needs of our clients
• Demonstrate success by meeting goals and growing business
• Experience in monitoring the marketplace to identify business opportunities 
• Deliver high levels of customer service 
• Manages time effectively and adapts quickly to changing priorities 
• Demonstrate competency in budgeting, forecasting and planning 
• Team player who works productively with a wide range of people
• Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, deal effectively with internal and external contacts ranging from executive to administrative levels, and to produce effective summaries and reports as required
• Highly-motivated self-starter, with a positive, professional attitude, strong work ethic, and critical attention to detail
• Evidence of strong analytical skills and strategic thinking
• High degree of personal integrity and professional accountability
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and CRM along with an ability to read architectural drawings 

Manchester, UK

The company is committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information or parental status. We base all our employment decisions on merit, job requirements and business needs