After starting with Midland Lead in March 2024, Alex is relishing the challenge of covering the North of the country as Regional Sales Manager.
How would you describe your day-to-day job?
This is a hard one to describe as every day can be very different. My main role is to visit customers, that include builders' merchants and other key clients. The area I cover is quite large and covers the whole of the North Cheshire up to Newcastle, so managing time is one of my main priorities. Luckily, I am really well organised so that helps me to manage my time effectively.
My day often starts with looking at my diary and ensuring the traffic is good! I really enjoy developing and maintaining relationships with customers, so visiting them face-to-face is important and I love meeting people. I also process new and repeat orders, and proactively look out for new opportunities, I am on the phone a lot.
I also spend time at trade days which I enjoy and next week I will be attending an event with Kyle which is great opportunity to meet customers in a more relaxed environment.
What are the main highlights of working at Midland Lead?
Being on the road a lot can be a real challenge when it comes to feeling part of a team as I spend lots of time travelling or with customers, but from the very first day I have been made to feel very welcome. Midland Lead are great at communicating and I speak to people back at the office many times a day.
I also feel that Midland Lead is a real family business and everyone around me has such a positive attitude, and I can tell they really care about the staff. It is great to be part of a team where I feel like I am being heard.
Kyle is a great manager, and I couldn't ask for anyone better to work for, he is friendly, helpful, and professional, always on hand to answer any questions. I really enjoy it when we visit key customers together as he has a great rapport with everyone he meets, and I am sure anyone he has met will agree with this.
If you could learn to do anything new, what would it be?
I would love to learn how to drive a HGV. I don't want to work as a lorry driver, but it is something that I would love to be able to do. For a long time, I have also wanted to get a motorcycle licence - one day I will get this when I have the time.
What song title best describes your personality?
When I get there by Pink. Mainly because I am always striving to do something new and push my boundaries. Sitting down doesn't suit me, I like to be on the go all the time.
How did your career bring you to becoming a Regional Sales Manager?
Very early in my career I started working with a roofing merchant, and eventually I started to go and visit customers as a field sales manager role. When the role was advertised at Midland Lead it sounded perfect as I wanted to further my career and maintain my love for meeting people and developing relationships with customers. I was delighted to get the role and I am really enjoying working here as part of the team.
Finish this sentence:
I once met… Carl Thompson and I even trained with him as a boxer.
Tell us 3 things most people at work don't know about you.
I have 2 children ages 5 and 7. Family is really important to me and my children are very supportive and let me get on with my job.
My favourite holidays are cruises.
I love hiking, and recently did the Yorkshire Three Peaks for charity.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I can see how Midland Lead have won so many awards. It is so clear that they are always working to better themselves, their processes and supporting their staff. As a company they really care and I think this resonates with the fact that they are very well respected in the industry. I feel very lucky to work here.
Although I have a very large area to cover, I never feel alone. There is a good solid management structure and I know that I can get quick answers to any queries I may have, and any issues get resolved very quickly.