Jeff Abbott

Hygrade Water is New Zealand's leading wholesale supplier of products to the New Zealand water infrastructure industry. We offer expertise in pipes, valves, fittings, access covers and grates for pressure and drainage applications for all civil and municipal projects.

Responsible for all aspects of running a branch from sales, service, inventory, HR, H&S, P&L and customer management with a staff of 12. Over this time I have overseen the revamp of the branch showroom, increased sales and staff numbers in the branch, successfully navigated the period of the Christchurch earthquakes and have actively supported the Rangiora branch with training and supervision. I was selected to help create and implement basic induction training for the company when we introduced a new computer system. We are one of the higher performing sales branches in the network and all attention is focused on customer service and logistics in order to keep up and maintain a high standard of business. I attend industry events such as the Christchurch Master Plumbers meetings and have sat on the Plumbing Advisory Committee and on the Trades Advisory Board at the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology (now ARA).

My duties in the branch were all encompassing from HR,IT, Health and Safety,Customer service, Representing, Supplier liaison, Reporting, Budgeting, Running meetings, Systems, Procedures and Training. I helped set up and train the new Ashburton branch and manager into Plumbing World while also helping many managers around the South Island with inventory training and stock takes. We became the most succesful sales branch in the network and I was responsible for 19 staff and 5 direct reports. During this time I completed a NZIM Certificate in Management and the Strategic Leadership Programme the Company provided as well as being on a national inventory team tasked with writing a branch inventory manual and presenting it to the Warehouse Managers throughout the company. I was also selected to spend six months with the international firm Proudfoot Consulting to help complete a business review of the company. This allowed me to work with all the staff and managers in the Canterbury, Nelson area as well as developing skills in analysis, processes, problem solving, change management and presentations.

Responsible for - Daily branch operations from stock, deliveries, customer service and management of 12 staff, their performance and 2nd in charge of the branch. I spent 8.5 months acting as branch manager for Brisbane St and Rangiora while completing sales and management training courses. Presented a comprehensive paper on staff induction helping lead to a new induction programme being implemented by the company. Over this time we increased sales, profit and staff levels and integrated a gas business into the branch.

This was a period of development from basic counter customer service work to key account contact. I was the purchasing officer for the branch for a while leading up to running the counter and beginning to manage staff responsibilities. I started organising and conducting branch stock takes.

Experience in domestic drainlaying for new houses. Alterations to existing drainage Just starting apprenticeship when business fell through.

Responsible for - Picking up and delivering plumbing goods Trade and Retail customer service Restocking of warehouse