Careers in Hardware
Careers in Hardware Since the launch of www.hardwarejobs.ie, Ireland’s first and only hardware industry-specific job board website, HAI has been highly active in promoting long-term career opportunities in the hardware industry to students, school leavers and jobseekers alike. Going by feedback from visitors at careers fairs like Ireland Skills Live and from career guidance counsellors the interest in the sector is higher than ever. For this issue of The Hardware Journal we spoke to Padjoe Barry, National Sales Manager at Pipelife Ltd about his career to date.
What were the main ‘career decision’ milestones in your life so far? I joined Pipelife (or Quality Plastics as it was known back then) in 2004. I had only recently left Chadwicks Plumb Centre in Cork for Shires Bathrooms when I was approached by Billy Dowling (ex Area Sales Manager Quality Plastics) about an opportunity to join the company and taking me back to my roots of heating and plumbing. He must have done a good job as I am still here 17 years later! At the time Quality Plastics was owned by the Horgan Family and they certainly were very helpful to me in my early days. Being taken over by Pipelife in 2007 was a game changer as they brought us up to the next level with continued investment and development of the company.
Does your job allow you to have a lifestyle you are happy with? Yes, very much so. I enjoy the day-to-day interactions that I have with our customers, whether it be calling into a local merchant or meeting a plumber on site or back in the office with the staff at work. I have built up some great relationships with customers and co-workers over the years and this is something that I certainly appreciate.
What are your main tasks and responsibilities? I’m a salesman through and through and so my main focus would always be on sales. This is my bread and butter. My other duties include managing our sales and technical teams and making sure everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Also, with the introduction of new technologies into the heating and plumbing sector this has challenged us to stay ahead of the game and offer heating solutions that are best suited to today`s new build homes! We are determined to offer contractors and installers the skills, support and service they need to thrive in the renewable heating sector.
What aspects of your education have proven most important for your job? Real life experience…starting my career with Chadwicks Plumb Centre Cork and seeing first-hand the day to day running of a business.
What do you really like about your job? It keeps me on my toes, no two days are ever the same. And these are certainly exciting times for Pipelife. We recently opened our new distribution and training centre in Dublin, expanding our sales force and offering training days at both or Cork and Dublin renewable training centres. We are certainly planning for the future and looking forward to better days ahead!
Have you undertaken, or do you plan to undertake any further training as part of your job? Yes, you can never sit still. Whether that be in business or life. You must always be forward thinking! With the ever-changing landscape of the heating sector there are always new products/technologies coming online that we need to keep up with.
What advice would you give to someone considering this type of job or similar in our sector? Be true to yourself. Always be open to new ways and willing to learn. Challenge yourself, and take yourself out your comfort zone!
What is your pet peeve at work? Getting caught to empty the dishwasher! For more information or to start advertising your vacancies with Hardware Jobs visit www.hardwarejobs.ie or contact Aoife at aoife@hardwareassociation.ie.
What are the main challenges? Covid has certainly changed the playing field and the last year has been tough, but as a company we have managed to get through this and are very optimistic about the coming months and years.
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Padjoe Barry, National Sales Manager at Pipelife Ltd. May/June 2021
