City West Commercials, the official Mercedes-Benz dealer for the South-West, has embarked on a major recruitment drive at it gears up to meet customer demand for exciting new truck and van products.
The company has already appointed highly-rated industry professional Richard Prosser, who worked previously for the manufacturer, to lead its truck sales operation.
And while some of the remaining posts it is now seeking to fill also require relevant experience, for other roles a motivated attitude and people skills are the key attributes required.
Dealer Principal Graeson Clarke explained: "There are fantastic opportunities within our sales and administration teams, as well as for apprentice technicians and parts specialists, for which job-specific training will be provided. The candidates we appoint to fill those roles will be those with the personalities that will allow them to represent our business to customers and work closely with colleagues.
"City West Commercials has an all-inclusive culture so we're looking for enthusiastic team players who share our aspirations and want to be part of an exciting, developing business. In these challenging times of relatively high unemployment we're offering more than just a job - we're also offering the prospect of a rewarding career with the world's leading commercial vehicle brand."
City West Commercials won the Mercedes-Benz franchise for the West Country in 2009 - it has headquarters in Avonmouth and a network of dealerships in Bristol, Exeter, Roche and Taunton, as well as a recently-opened after sales facility at Somerton, near Yeovil.
The company is responsible for sales and support of the award-winning Mercedes-Benz truck and van ranges, and popular Fuso Canter light trucks. Having just launched the acclaimed, premium long-haul Mercedes-Benz Actros - International Truck of the Year for 2012 - and an all-new Canter range, it is now looking ahead to the introduction early next year of the Mercedes-Benz Citan, the first city van to wear a three-pointed star.
Mr Clarke continued: "We've concentrated over the last couple of years on delivering the quality of service that customers of Mercedes-Benz are entitled to expect, and on ensuring that we have the foundations in place from which to take our business forward.
"We'll never stop striving to improve service levels, and we continue to review our representation - as well as planning a new facility in Exeter, we're also considering other locations. But with the new products now coming through, this is the right time to go for growth, which is why we've launched our recruitment drive."
On the sales front, City West Commercials is seeking a van sales director and a number of trainee van sales executives, as well as a truck sales executive to cover Devon and Cornwall. In after sales there are opportunities at all City West locations for experienced technicians, as well as for service and parts apprentices - the dealer is committed to a policy of "growing its own". Administrative vacancies, meanwhile, include those for human resources and marketing managers.
Truck Sales Director Richard Prosser began his career in the truck industry more than 20 years ago. Prior to taking up his new role he spent four years with Mercedes-Benz UK as a Regional Truck Sales & Finance Manager covering the South-West.
A haulier's son, and automotive engineering and management graduate of Loughborough University, he has also worked for two other manufacturers and a commercial vehicle finance specialist, and seen the industry from the other side of the fence by running a home delivery fleet.
"I enjoyed my time with MBUK but the opportunity to advance my career with a dealer that's really going places, in an area where I already know many of the truck operators, was too tempting to resist," he said.