Sales Assistant
PPG
No pay info
GBR - Birmingham
Full time, permanent
The Breakroom Take
- Good employer
- Respectful managers
About PPG
PPG is a paint and specialist coating manufacturer.
Job description from PPG
Sales Assistant
Birmingham - Smethwick Johnstone’s Decorating Centre
Full Time | Permanent
Position Summary
We now have an exciting, permanent vacancy for a Sales Assistant within our Architectural Coatings division. We’re looking for a customer focused individual to become a key member of our friendly and supportive team. Previous experience in a customer facing environment and a good understanding of IT systems is desirable, but not essential, as we will support you all along the way with in-store training.
Why you’ll love working here…
Competitive starting salary with yearly reviews
Competitive bonus structure starting at 15% for achieving budget, with potential to earn up to 42% of your salary for overachieving budget.
33 days of annual leave, including bank holidays
Guaranteed 39 hours pay per week with overtime or lieu time available
Great work/life balance: Our stores are closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays, with no late evenings after 5pm!
Generous company pension contributions
Excellent career progression: We develop our people with online opportunities and the PPG Training Academy
Fantastic company-funded private healthcare plan, with options to extend coverage to family members
Generous staff discount on paint and decorating tools at Johnstone’s Decorating Centre
Colleague recognition program that recognises and rewards our colleagues
Inclusive and engaging workplace – We foster a culture of inclusion for all (Our engagement scores show it!)
Colleague assistance programme for 24/7 wellbeing support and cycle to work scheme
A day in the life of…
As a Sales Assistant, your responsibilities will include:
Serve customers on the trade counter and in store, in a friendly and professional manner.
Undertake all required training to help you to confidently select the correct product for our customers’ needs and to promote our brand.
Ensure your store always looks well-presented and clean.
Follow stock management procedures by taking in deliveries and keeping the shelves full.
Key Skills…
Previous experience in a customer facing environment is desirable
Good communications skills with a positive customer focusses attitude
Good understanding of IT systems
Flexibility towards working hours and duties
Full Uk Driving license is essential for this position
At PPG, we use AI in the hiring process to make it more efficient. AI tools do not make hiring decisions. You can learn more by visiting https://careers.ppg.com/us/en/candidate-resources.
#WeAreHiringPPGUK
PPG pay ranges and benefits can vary by location which allows us to compensate employees competitively in different geographic markets. PPG considers several factors in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to, skill sets, experience and training, qualifications and education, licensure and certifications, and other organizational needs. Other incentives may apply.
Our employee benefits programs are designed to support the health and well-being of our employees. Any insurance coverages and benefits will be in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable plans and associated governing plan documents.
Job insights from Breakroom
Retail and sales assistants:
Sales assistants help customers and sell goods and services
What you’ll do as a retail and sales assistant:
- Serve and advise customers
- Take delivery of goods and stock
- Arrange and display goods
- Check for damaged or missing items
- Handle customer payments, returns and refunds
- Keep the store clean and tidy
Is it right for you?
This job may involve:
- Dealing with customers
- Standing
- Wearing a uniform
- Heavy lifting
- Cleaning
- Physical activities
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What employees say
Pay
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Okay
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Only some people are paid a living wage
Do PPG pay a living wage?
Some people are not paid a living wage.
How we know this
39% of people say they are paid below the Real Living Wage for where they live.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should be paid enough to live on.
The Real Living Wage is a voluntary rate employers can sign up to that is based on the real cost of living.
The current rates are £13.45 per hour, and £14.80 per hour in London.
Find out more in our explainer about the Real Living Wage.
Okay
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Only some people are paid market rates
Do PPG pay market rates?
Only some people are paid above average for their job.
How we know this
52% of people are paid below average for the type of work they do.Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Pay can vary a lot between types of job. Employers should be ensuring that the rates their staff are paid are in line with similar roles elsewhere.
Okay
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Only some people get paid breaks
Do workers at PPG get paid breaks?
Sometimes. Only some people get paid breaks.
How we know this
60% of people say they don’t get paid breaks.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should have paid breaks.
You should be paid for all your time at work, whether you’re on a break or not.
Good
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Most people get sick pay
Do PPG pay sick pay?
Yes. Most people get proper sick pay.
How we know this
79% of people say they would get paid if they were sick but scheduled to work.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off without worrying.
At a good job you should still get paid if you’re scheduled to work but can’t due to sickness. Your contract should say how many sick days you can take each year.
This is more than the legal minimum, which says you should only get paid if you are unwell for 4 full days. See Citizens Advice for more details.
Okay
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Some people do unpaid extra work
Do workers at PPG do extra work that they don't get paid for?
Sometimes. Some people do unpaid extra work.
How we know this
53% of people report that they do extra work that they don’t get paid for.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and March 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get paid for any extra work they do, even if it is outside your contracted hours. At a good job, you should be paid for all the time you spend at work.
Hours and flexibility
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Good
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Most people don’t worry about their hours
Do workers at PPG worry about hours?
Most people don’t worry about getting enough hours.
How we know this
93% of people report they don’t worry about getting enough hours.Based on data from 14 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and March 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, you shouldn’t have to worry about getting enough hours each week.
A good job should guarantee you a minimum number of hours in a contract, if you want it.
This makes it easier to plan your finances, because you know how much you’ll be earning.
Okay
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Only some people get a choice of shifts
Do PPG workers get to choose the shifts they work?
Some people don’t get enough choice over which shifts they work.
How we know this
47% report that their manager doesn’t give them enough choice over which shifts they work.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and March 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. This means you get a say in when you prefer to work.
Okay
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Can be hard to change shifts
How easy is it for PPG workers to change shifts?
Some people find it hard to change shifts.
How we know this
54% of people report that it’s hard to change shifts if they need to.Based on data from 13 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and March 2026.
Why this matters
A good job is flexible around your personal life. It should be easy to change a shift if you need to, whether that’s in an emergency or for planning ahead.
Good
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Easy to book holiday
How easy is it to book a holiday at PPG?
Most people find it easy to book holiday.
How we know this
83% of people report it’s easy to book holidays.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should let you take time off when you need it, and it shouldn’t be a nightmare to arrange.
Okay
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Shifts can get changed at short notice
Do PPG managers change shifts at short notice?
Some managers change people’s shifts at short notice.
How we know this
42% of people say their manager changes their shifts at the last minute.Based on data from 19 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and March 2026.
Why this matters
If your manager is often changing your shifts at short notice that’s a sign of poor planning. At a good job you won’t be messed around at the last minute.
Okay
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Some people find it hard to take sick leave
How easy is it to take sick leave at PPG?
Some people find it hard to take sick leave.
How we know this
34% of people report that it’s hard to take time off if they are sick.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone gets sick sometimes. You should be able to take time off when you need to.
A good job should support you when you’re unwell and have systems in place that will allow you to take time off to recover when you need it.
Workplace
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Good
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Most people feel treated with respect
Do people at PPG feel treated with respect by their managers?
Most people feel treated with respect by their managers.
How we know this
69% of people say they’re treated with respect by their managers.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Everyone should get treated with respect by their managers. You shouldn’t feel discriminated against or bullied, and if you have a problem you should be able to speak to someone about it.
Okay
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Only some people get proper breaks
Do people at PPG get proper breaks?
Some people don’t get proper breaks.
How we know this
38% of people report that they don’t get to take proper breaks.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
When you take a break it should be a proper rest. It should last the full duration and you shouldn’t get pulled off it.
Needs improving
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Most people are stressed
Is it stressful to work at PPG?
Most people feel stressed here.
How we know this
77% of people say they often feel stressed at work.Based on data from 26 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
Work isn’t always easy, but if you’re frequently feel stressed, that’s not good.
Your employer should support you with enough people and resources to get your job done without feeling overwhelmed.
Okay
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Only some people enjoy their job
Do people at PPG enjoy their jobs?
Only some people enjoy their job.
How we know this
40% of people report they don’t enjoy their job.Based on data from 25 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between May 2024 and April 2026.
Okay
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Only some people recommend their team
Do people at PPG recommend working with their team?
Only some people recommend working with their team.
How we know this
60% of people report that they wouldn’t recommend working with their immediate team to a friend.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job means enjoying the place where you work.
The people you work with every day really matter. They can be the difference between a terrible day and a great one.
If you’d recommend your team to a friend, this shows that something’s going right.
Okay
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Only some people get enough training
Do people get enough training when they start at PPG?
Some people didn’t get enough training when they started.
How we know this
53% of people report they didn’t get enough training when they started working here.Based on data from 30 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should give you good training when you start, not just drop you in at the deep end.
This means that you’ll be happier and more productive from day one and shows that your employer values you.
It’s also very important if your job involves anything that could be dangerous. Good training from the outset keeps you and your team safe.
Okay
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Only some people get support to progress
Are people given support to progress at PPG?
Only some people are given support to progress here.
How we know this
In the last year, 63% of people report not being given an opportunity to get better at their job, learn a new skill, learn to manage a team or get more responsibility in their role.Based on data from 24 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
A good job should help you progress at work, if you want to. That might be supporting you to get better at the job you currently have, learn something new, manage a team or take on more responsibilities.
This means you’ll be able to build on your skills and experience, and earn more money.
Needs improving
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Head office doesn’t understand what’s happening
Do people think PPG head office understands what's happening where they work?
Most people think head office doesn’t understand what’s happening where they work.
How we know this
86% of people think that this employer’s head office or owners don’t have a good understanding of what’s really happening where they work.Based on data from 28 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, the role of head office should be to support the people on the frontline serving customers.
To do that properly, the company’s owners or head office need to have a good understanding of what’s really happening on the frontline. This is especially important when a company owns multiple locations.
Good
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Most people feel well informed by head office
Do workers feel well informed about how PPG is doing?
Most people feel well informed about how the company is doing.
How we know this
72% of people feel that they are kept well informed about how the company is doing as a whole.Based on data from 29 people who took the Breakroom Quiz between April 2024 and April 2026.
Why this matters
At a good job, there should be a supportive relationship between the people working on the frontline serving customers and the people who own the company or work in head office.
You should be kept informed about how the company is doing as a whole, both in good times and when things get tough for the business.
What PPG employees say about their job
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Best thing
People are great and the work is good
Worst thing
Toxic managers who are stuck in their ways
Warehouse operative at PPG, February 2024
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Best thing
My staff mates
Worst thing
The work I have to do compared to the party
Sales assistant at PPG, July 2023
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