Jobs at NHBS

Order Processor/Customer Services Advisor

Location:- Totnes

Summary

NHBS is a world leader in supplying Natural History, Ecology and Conservation books and ecological survey equipment to institutions, retailers, companies, libraries, academics and private customers around the world. This is an opportunity for a highly motivated individual to join our Customer Services team. The Customer Services team is the first point of contact for our diverse range of customers.

Responsibilities

You’re the type of person who thrives on getting details right, enjoys communicating effectively with customers and colleagues alike, and is confident in prioritising multiple demands.  We offer a fast-paced environment where team-work, initiative and quick thinking are valued, and where a demonstrated passion for ideas and for what NHBS does is more important than specific knowledge in any field.

Every day is different at NHBS and you will be involved in a range of tasks. Your priority will be processing of orders and preparing quotations, additional responsibilities may include answering customer queries by email or phone, arranging returns, or investigating issues with orders or deliveries.

Essential Skills

• A good telephone manner and outstanding written communication skills are essential
• High degree of computer literacy
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work quickly and efficiently in a fast paced work environment
• Above all, we value a common sense approach, critical thinking and a willingness to learn new skills

Desirable skills

• Fluent German or another major European language would be an advantage
• Experience of Netsuite or similar CRM software.

Our offer to you

Our offices and warehouse are based on the industrial estate in Totnes. We have been selling natural history and science books since 1985, and ecological survey equipment since 2009. The successful candidate will be joining a diverse and friendly workforce of 55 staff.

This position reports to the Customer Services Manager.

This full time permanent position is available immediately. Salary: £23,400 (upon successful completion of probation period), based on a 37.5 hour week Monday - Friday, with the position attracting 28 days holiday pro rata, including bank holidays. NHBS also offers each employee up to 3 paid days for Conservation volunteering each year. During busy periods there will be an expectation to be available for some overtime to ensure clients requirements are managed effectively.

Application

We are looking for someone who is interested in what NHBS does and how we can help our customers. Please make clear in your cover letter why you are that person - also tell us what it is about NHBS that interests you.

Please email your CV and Cover Letter by Friday 20th September 2024 to Lynne Littlewood, HR Manager Email: llittlewood@nhbs.com

Managing Director

Location: Totnes

Role Overview:
This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-led company in the emerging commercial biodiversity, wildlife, ecology, and conservation sector. NHBS is an established global e-commerce business with a worldwide B2B and B2C customer base, an outstanding reputation, and significant growth and diversification opportunities.

About NHBS:
NHBS is an entrepreneurial, product-led, and ecology-focused e-commerce business dedicated to supporting biodiversity, wildlife, ecology, and conservation sectors through an extensive range of innovative specialist products and services. Our offerings include supplying, designing, and manufacturing conservation equipment, maintaining the most comprehensive online catalogue of field guides and nature-related books, and publishing two widely respected magazines (British Wildlife and Conservation Land Management).

Founded in 1985 and based in Devon, NHBS has grown from a pioneering niche supplier into a £7 million revenue global leader with 45 colleagues. With a commitment to conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, NHBS serves a diverse international customer base, including individual naturalists, NGOs, universities and research institutions, the construction industry, ecological consultancies, and governmental agencies.

Our extensive product portfolio and strong market presence reflect our unwavering dedication to advancing biodiversity commerce and setting the standard for ethical business practices. Privately owned and well-capitalised, NHBS is poised to support and restore biodiversity and ecosystems globally while driving the growth and commercialisation of emerging biodiversity solutions. Our mission goes beyond traditional commercial objectives, focusing on championing biodiversity and conservation on a global scale, enhancing both the environment and society.

Job Description:

• Lead the management team in the day-to-day running of the business, aligning with the board’s goals and vision.
• Ensure effective implementation of board decisions.
• Regularly review operational and financial performance and strategic direction, recommending changes or corrective actions to the board as appropriate.
• Prepare commercial and operational strategies and strategic plans with the management team for board recommendation.
• Identify and develop plans to deliver sustainable, profitable sales growth while ensuring operational resilience and flexibility.
• Prepare annual budgets with the finance manager and management team for board recommendation, including periodic budget reforecasts.
• Review the organisational structure regularly, recommending changes to the board as necessary.
• Develop the roles and responsibilities of the management team with the Non-Executive Chair, including clear delegation of the MD’s authorities.
• Foster a work environment and culture focused on fulfilling the company’s mission, vision, and values as set by the board.
• Develop and implement company policies with the HR manager for board approval.
• Maintain awareness of competitive market landscapes, growth opportunities, and industry developments, reporting to the board.
• Provide coherent leadership alongside the Non-Executive Chair, representing the company to stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, government, shareholders, financial institutions, employees, the media, and the public.
• Keep the Non-Executive Chair informed on all important matters.

The Successful Applicant:

• Passionate about conservation and ecology, demonstrated through professional or personal activities.
• Experience working within an entrepreneurial private business and collaboratively with the board and shareholders.
• Understanding of governance best practices; experience as a company director is advantageous but not essential.
• Exposure to low margin business models sourcing and selling finished goods online.
• Balance an entrepreneurial, results-driven mindset with attention to risk management, internal controls, policies, and procedures.
• Experience developing long-range strategies for sustainable, profitable growth supported by commercial, operational, and financial plans.
• Experience delivering sales growth in UK and international markets.
• Experience building operational resilience and leading teams through cultural change.
• Collaborative with excellent communication skills, capable of inspiring and leading all colleagues and motivating senior managers.
• Ability to work under pressure, flexing from strategic to tactical as required.
• Strong knowledge of financial concepts and appreciation of the implications of commercial and operational decisions.

What’s on Offer:
This is a unique opportunity for personal fulfilment and career development. The successful candidate will combine a commercial leadership role with a passion for biodiversity, wildlife, ecology, and conservation. They will engage in influential discussions with policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to shape the future of biodiversity and address global environmental challenges. Additionally, the role offers the opportunity to live and work in Totnes, Devon, for a business with an international reach.

To apply please follow this link www.pageexecutive.com/job-detail/managing-director/ref/jn-072024-6475185 or contact Nia Trussler at Page Executive, niatrussler@pageexecutive.com. 

Customer Services Manager

Location: - Totnes

This role will report to the Managing Director

NHBS (www.nhbs.com) is a world-leading online retailer that supplies ecology and conservation books and equipment to customers in the UK and worldwide. It also publishes two conservation magazines. We are looking for a Customer Services Manager to join our team in Totnes.

Our perfect candidate will be dynamic, energetic, and passionate about delivering world-class customer service. You will be confident organising colleagues within a busy, customer-facing retail environment (ideally, online retail). You will thrive working at speed, but you will also pay great attention to detail, be forward-thinking, and have a sound understanding of what great customer service looks like.

We are looking for an ambitious Customer Services Manager who is passionate about delivering the best service to our customers. If you share our commitment to excellence in customer service and are excited by the challenges offered by a diverse business that has grown rapidly over the last few years, we want to hear from you.

As a Customer Services Manager, your responsibilities will be:

• To manage a team of Customer Service Advisors to monitor service levels to ensure that they are reached and exceeded
• To review and apply best practice procedures for the team and support the team through change.
• To work closely with other managers and teams across the business to provide industry-leading customer support
• We are looking for somebody who is
• Experienced in Customer Services management and passionate about delivering outstanding customer service
• A great team leader who can motivate and inspire and be decisive and confident
• Highly IT literate
• An excellent communicator in writing and person
• Experience in E-commerce with an international customer base
• Demonstrated knowledge of ecology and conservation

Our offer to you:

Office-based position, Salary: £31,000 - £34,000 p.a. based on a 37.5-hour week Monday - Friday, attracting 28 days holiday p.a., including bank holidays. Benefits include your birthday day off, Employee Assistance Program, enhanced maternity/paternity leave, a generous company pension, free parking and refreshments. NHBS also offers each colleague up to three paid days for conservation volunteering each year.

How to apply:

To be considered for this position, please send a cover letter and your CV to Lynne Littlewood, HRM, at llittlewood@nhbs.com. The closing date is August 27th.

About us:

Founded in 1985, NHBS Ltd (www.nhbs.com) is a world leader in supplying wildlife, ecology and conservation books and ecological survey equipment to institutions, retailers, companies, and private customers worldwide. NHBS also manufactures equipment in an on-site workshop and publishes two magazines. NHBS is passionate about making a positive environmental impact - our core purpose is to support those who work to understand, protect, and conserve the natural environment.

The successful candidate will join a diverse and friendly workforce of 50 colleagues.