‘The best thing about working at SunSkips is the people,’ says Rob Neal

Getting on with the people you work with is the key to success in sales, according to SunSkips commercial account manager Rob Neal.

The 21-year-old, who manages SunSkips’ relationships with ongoing clients, loves the office environment but also enjoys getting out into Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to meet clients personally.

“We have a really good atmosphere at SunSkips,” says Rob. “But travelling East Anglia and developing relationships with clients is also really rewarding.”

Keen to get into the workforce, Rob started his career in sales before he even left school with a part-time role selling TVs at Currys when he was just 16. After cutting his teeth, Rob went on to work at Vanilla Electronics as an account manager.

Originally from Norfolk, Rob moved in with his girlfriend in Bury St Edmunds after the pandemic hit so they could be together during the lockdown. But despite being closer to SunSkips’ Stowmarket skip hire office, he still finds himself out and about a lot of the time.

“These days every week is different,” says Rob. “Some days I can spend half the time in the office, but this week I’ll be on the road the whole time.”

Rob has quickly learned the ropes and is able to advise clients on the most cost-effective waste management processes.

“I’m not just helping people hire skips,” insists Rob. “I’m providing clients with full-site solutions, perhaps facilitating a compactor for a massive surplus of cardboard that needs bailing; things that help them streamline their waste flows.

“I might be able to suggest alternative solutions that would save them money and be better for the environment. I meet so many people who are paying an arm and a leg for their waste management, so I help them cut costs at a time when it really makes a difference to their business.

“And because SunSkips isn’t a giant corporate business, we have more time to look at these things on a case by case basis.”

Rob joined SunSkips as part of the commercial sales team before proving he could handle more responsibility and moving up to an account management role – but starting a new job at the height of a pandemic wasn’t all plain sailing…

“We worked all throughout the second and third lockdown – all spaced out in the office. It was super busy when I first joined.

“But it helps that you’re sort of your own boss. You can manage your own enquiries and leads to go about it how you want to.

“I love the business side of things. There’s definitely more to it than just skips. I find the backend is really interesting: learning about different waste types and recycling, how it’s exported to different countries and converted into fuel.”

When asked his favourite thing about working at SunSkips, Rob didn’t hesitate to answer…

“The coffee machine,” he responded, quick as a flash. “It’s got loads of different types of coffee. There’s coffee galore coming out of that thing!”

But once he’s had his caffeine fix and work begins, Rob finds fulfilment in the team around him.

“The people in the office are what keeps you going,” he says sincerely. “It’s nice to work with a team you get on with.”

Could your business benefit from a site visit? Drop Rob a line or call the office on 01449 613 824 and take the first step towards saving money on your waste management.