In an economy of layoffs and uncertainty, one sector is quietly constructing a different narrative—and it's hiring now
Table of Contents
- Introduction: The Great Sorting
- Building Materials Industry Careers Built With Purpose
- 5 Exciting Career Opportunities Available Now
- Yard Supervisor
- LBM Associate
- Driver
- Sales Representative
- Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
- Why These Positions Matter
- The Future of Building Materials
- Your Next Steps
- Frequently Asked Questions
Introduction: The Great Sorting
There's an anxiety that settles over a labor market in transition. You can feel it in the careful language of corporate earnings calls, in the strategic pauses before the word "restructuring," in the way economists hedge when discussing employment trends. The past year has delivered its share of these moments—Amazon announcing workforce reductions, UPS scaling back operations, the familiar rhythm of layoff announcements from companies that once seemed invincible.
But economies, like ecosystems, don't simply contract. They redistribute. Energy flows from declining sectors to emerging ones, from companies retrenching to companies expanding, from jobs being eliminated to jobs being created. The question isn't whether opportunity exists, but where to look for it.
Consider this: While high-profile technology and logistics companies captured headlines with layoff announcements, a less visible sector has been quietly, persistently hiring. The building materials industry—that vast network of companies that manufacture, distribute, and sell everything from lumber to insulation to sophisticated building envelope systems—has maintained steady demand for talent across multiple roles and skill levels.
This isn't a story about one sector's gain being another's loss. It's more nuanced than that. It's about recognizing that the infrastructure of daily life—the buildings we inhabit, the bridges we cross, the homes that shelter us—requires continuous maintenance, expansion, and innovation. And that work requires people.
The five positions profiled here represent something more than job openings. They represent a sector that connects physical reality to economic activity in ways that resist abstraction. You cannot automate away the need for buildings. You cannot offshore the distribution of concrete. You cannot replace with algorithms the complex human judgment required to help a contractor select the right materials for a specific project.
This is work that matters, in the most literal sense. It creates the physical environment where other work happens.
Building Materials Industry Careers Built With Purpose
Building Materials—The Industry of Opportunity
The building materials industry operates in a curious space in the modern economy. It's simultaneously ancient and cutting-edge, local and global, traditional and innovative. The sector comprises establishments that innovate, design, engineer, produce, market, advertise, distribute, and sell materials used in the construction, renovation, and upgrading of buildings and other structures—everything from naturally occurring substances like wood and stone to advanced composites and smart home technologies.
What makes this industry particularly interesting right now is its position at the intersection of several major economic and social trends. Infrastructure investment programs across North America are directing billions toward rebuilding aging roads, bridges, and public facilities. The residential construction market continues to grapple with housing shortages in many regions, driving demand for building materials. And the accelerating focus on sustainability is transforming how buildings are constructed, creating demand for new materials and new expertise.
These aren't temporary fluctuations. They're structural forces that will shape the industry for decades.
Impact & Purpose: There Is No Infrastructure Without Building Materials
There's a thought exercise worth attempting: Try to imagine your daily routine without buildings. Not just your home, but the grocery store, the office, the hospital, the school. Try to envision a modern economy without the physical infrastructure that makes it possible.
The exercise fails immediately, of course. That's precisely the point.
Every structure we interact with required someone to select appropriate materials, someone to ensure those materials met safety standards, someone to deliver them when needed, someone to explain their proper application. The building materials industry provides the literal foundation for modern life, yet it operates with remarkable invisibility. Most people never think about the insulation in their walls, the composition of their roofing materials, or the engineering that went into their building's envelope system.
But someone had to think about all of it. Someone had to ensure it met code requirements. Someone had to get it to the job site on time. That work continues every day, creating ongoing demand for professionals who understand both the technical requirements and the human relationships that make construction projects succeed.
5 Exciting Career Opportunities Available Now
Yard Supervisor
Kent Building Supplies | Antigonish, Nova Scotia
The yard supervisor role illuminates something fundamental about building materials retail: It's not just about selling products, it's about managing a complex physical and social space where contractors, DIY enthusiasts, and commercial builders converge to solve problems and advance projects.
Yard Supervisors are responsible for the sales results and daily management of their area, including executing marketing campaigns, managing inventory, and participating in meetings in addition to the duties of a sales associate. But the role description only hints at what the position actually requires: the ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, to lead through example rather than authority, and to understand both the products themselves and how customers actually use them.
Kent Building Supplies operates as part of J.D. Irving, Limited, a company with roots stretching back to 1882. The company has operations in Canada and the United States with a team of 20,000 dedicated employees. This scale provides stability while Kent's position as the largest retail building supply chain in Atlantic Canada, with 48 locations, offers advancement opportunities.
What makes this position particularly compelling is its blend of immediate responsibility and long-term potential. Typical career steps are to manage larger departments prior to becoming an assistant store manager, suggesting a clear pathway for professionals who demonstrate capability and commitment.
The qualifications reveal what Kent actually values: the ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, motivating others through positive attitude, and demonstrating the drive and commitment needed to reach goals. While experience in retail sales and supervision is preferred, the emphasis on attitude and drive suggests the company prioritizes potential over perfect credentials.
For someone interested in retail management but seeking a sector with more stability than fashion or consumer electronics, building materials retail offers an interesting alternative. The work is tangible, the customers are often professionals who appreciate expertise, and the industry trends point toward sustained growth.
Start the Application Process Here > Yard Supervisor
LBM Associate
Neepawa Home Hardware Building Centre | Neepawa, Manitoba
The LBM—Lumber & Building Materials—Associate position represents a fascinating intersection of customer service, technical knowledge, and business operations. Unlike generic retail, where employees might assist with any category of product, LBM associates develop specialized expertise that makes them genuinely valuable to customers undertaking complex projects.
The role involves assisting customers with their building material needs, providing knowledgeable advice, preparing quotations, and ensuring excellent service at the LBM counter. But consider what "knowledgeable advice" actually entails: understanding building codes, calculating material quantities, recognizing when customers need products they haven't requested, and translating contractor specifications into product selections.
The key responsibilities illuminate the sophistication required: greeting customers and identifying their project needs, providing quotes and pricing, maintaining knowledge of inventory, codes, and permits, and processing special orders for non-stock items. Each of these tasks requires judgment, not just execution.
What's particularly interesting about this position is its accessibility. The qualifications include a high school diploma or equivalent, with Level 1 or 2 estimating experience as an asset, though training is provided. The company emphasizes basic math skills, customer service abilities, and the capacity to work as part of a team—skills many people already possess or can readily develop.
The benefits package suggests serious employment: competitive wage, health and dental benefits, company matched pension plans, staff discount program, and work in a supportive, community-driven environment. These aren't gig economy terms. They're the components of stable, middle-class employment.
For someone seeking to develop expertise while remaining connected to their community, the LBM associate role offers an underappreciated pathway. You're not just processing transactions; you're helping people complete projects that matter to them, from home renovations to commercial construction.
Find Out More Here > LBM Associate
Driver
Cornerstone Building Brands | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
There's a satisfaction that comes from work with immediate, visible results. The driver position at Cornerstone Building Brands—transporting building materials to dealers, distribution centers, and construction sites—offers that quality. Each delivery enables construction to proceed, projects to advance, timelines to be met.
The Driver will be expected to transport and deliver building materials to dealers, distribution centers and/or construction job sites using a 5ton cube truck, requiring skills from practicing safe driving and delivery to top-notch customer service. The role encompasses more than driving: performing pre and post-trip inspections, maintaining vehicle cleanliness and integrity, ensuring compliance with DOT guidelines, and verifying load contents.
The qualifications are straightforward: Valid Class 5 license, 2 years commercial truck driving experience, clean driving record, and ability to lift up to 100lbs. The schedule is similarly clear: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm with overtime as needed.
What's notable about Cornerstone Building Brands is its scale and stability. The company is North America's leading manufacturer of exterior building materials, including windows, siding, stone, and 40 other categories. Their comprehensive portfolio and expansive footprint enable them to serve customers across North America, providing the kind of geographic reach and market diversity that insulates against local economic fluctuations.
The company emphasizes its culture: employees are empowered to make a meaningful impact while pursuing opportunities for development and advancement within a stable, growing Canadian industry leader. The benefits include competitive wages, comprehensive health benefits, retirement contributions, and wellness support.
For someone with commercial driving experience who values predictable schedules, local routes, and stable employment, this position offers immediate opportunity with a company that has demonstrated its ability to succeed across market cycles.
Learn More > Driver
Sales Representative
IDI Distributors | Des Moines, Iowa
Sales positions in building materials distribution require a particular blend of capabilities that distinguish them from sales roles in other sectors. You're not selling consumer products where emotional appeals and brand recognition drive decisions. You're selling to professionals who make purchasing decisions based on product specifications, pricing, delivery reliability, and the quality of ongoing support.
The Sales Representative is tasked with establishing IDI's presence in the market by identifying, closing, and retaining customers, consistently prospecting for new customers and building long-term relationships to ensure sustained growth. The position offers compensation of $66,000 - $92,400 plus commission, suggesting significant earning potential for successful performers.
The responsibilities reveal the sophisticated nature of the role. Customer development requires making in-person sales calls on residential and commercial customers via office and jobsite visits, promoting all items within the IDI catalog to potential customers, and ensuring all customers have current pricing and are aware of changing market conditions. Each of these activities demands technical knowledge, relationship skills, and business acumen.
IDI focuses specifically on insulation and building materials, providing depth rather than breadth. The company takes pride in offering the highest-quality products and services at the most cost-effective prices in the industry, with a special relationship with customers that has allowed them to build a successful operation prepared to handle specific needs of contractors in residential, commercial and industrial markets.
The qualifications emphasize proven results: 3+ years in sales with insulation or building material sales experience preferred, strong negotiation skills, and ability to travel an average of 60% of the time. This is work for people who thrive on building relationships, solving problems, and delivering results.
What makes this position particularly interesting is its focus on serving contractors—professionals who value expertise and reliability over price alone. Success requires understanding their businesses well enough to help them succeed, creating relationships that transcend individual transactions.
Discover More Here > Sales Rep
Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
QXO | Mississauga, Ontario
The FP&A Manager position at QXO represents something genuinely unusual: the opportunity to help build what aims to become the market-leading company in building products distribution, backed by a founder with a proven track record of building multiple billion-dollar companies.
QXO is a publicly traded company founded by Brad Jacobs with the goal of building the market-leading company in the building products distribution industry, completing its first acquisition of Beacon Building Products on April 30, 2025. This isn't speculation about potential; it's an active strategy in early execution.
The role involves preparing and maintaining key Regional/Branch financial reports on a daily/weekly/monthly/annual basis, analyzing historical operating expense trends to identify cost savings opportunities, partnering with regional teams to implement solutions to drive labor productivity, and engaging in the annual budgeting process. This is financial analysis in service of operational improvement, not abstraction.
What's particularly compelling is the company's explicit strategy: building a customer-focused, tech-enabled, and innovation-driven business that will scale rapidly through accretive M&A, organic growth, and greenfield expansion, rooted in delivering exceptional customer experiences and leveraging data, digital tools, and AI to modernize a historically under-digitized industry.
The qualifications reflect the sophisticated nature of the work: Bachelor's degree in business, finance, statistics, or economics, 5+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis, advanced understanding of Excel Power Pivot, Power Query and DAX, and extensive experience developing Tableau driven dashboards. The ideal candidate possesses both technical financial skills and the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization.
QXO offers comprehensive benefits including competitive pay, medical/dental/vision coverage, RRSP matching, paid leave, and training opportunities. The company is targeting $50 billion in annual revenues within the next decade through accretive acquisitions and organic growth, suggesting extraordinary growth potential for professionals who contribute to that trajectory.
For financial professionals seeking to apply their skills in a tangible, essential industry while participating in a large-scale growth story led by proven operators, this position offers a rare combination of opportunity and purpose.
Your Next Career Starts Here > Financial Planning and Analysis Manager
Why These Positions Matter
These five roles, taken together, illustrate the breadth and depth of opportunity within the building materials sector. They span different skill sets, different educational requirements, different geographic locations, and different career stages. Yet they share common characteristics that distinguish them from employment in many other sectors.
First, they're all connected to real, physical work that produces tangible results. The yard supervisor helps contractors get the materials they need. The LBM associate provides the expertise that enables successful projects. The driver delivers concrete that becomes foundations and structures. The sales representative builds relationships that connect manufacturers with customers. The FP&A manager analyzes data that improves operational efficiency.
Second, they all offer pathways rather than dead ends. The yard supervisor can advance to larger departments and assistant store manager roles. The LBM associate develops specialized expertise that increases their value. The driver works for a company with 134 locations across North America. The sales representative can expand their territory and income through performance. The FP&A manager participates in building a company targeting massive growth.
Third, they all exist within an industry facing sustained demand. Infrastructure investment programs will continue. Housing needs will persist. Buildings will require renovation and maintenance. The climate transition will demand new materials and approaches. These aren't jobs dependent on the success of a particular app or algorithm; they're positions supporting fundamental human needs.
The building materials industry employs millions across North America in roles ranging from manufacturing to distribution to retail to professional services. It generates hundreds of billions in annual revenue. It enables the construction of every building, road, bridge, and infrastructure project. And it continues hiring even as other sectors contract.
The Future of Building Materials
Understanding the building materials industry's future requires recognizing several converging trends that will shape the sector for decades.
The infrastructure imperative stands at the forefront. North American infrastructure—roads, bridges, water systems, public buildings—is aging. Much of it was built in the post-war boom and is now approaching the end of its design life. Addressing this reality requires sustained investment and, critically, sustained demand for building materials and the professionals who work with them.
The housing challenge adds another dimension. Many regions face significant housing shortages, driving construction activity even during periods of economic uncertainty. This isn't a temporary spike in demand; it reflects decades of underbuilding combined with demographic shifts and changing household formation patterns.
The sustainability transformation may prove most consequential. Building construction and operation account for nearly 40% of global carbon emissions. Addressing climate change requires fundamentally rethinking how we build—using different materials, employing different techniques, achieving different performance standards. This transformation creates demand for innovation in materials science, changes in building codes and standards, and new expertise throughout the supply chain.
Digital transformation is reshaping industry operations in ways both obvious and subtle. Companies are implementing sophisticated inventory management systems, using data analytics to optimize delivery routes and stock levels, and deploying customer-facing technologies that improve service and efficiency. This evolution creates demand for professionals who understand both building materials and digital tools.
These trends suggest that the building materials industry will remain essential while continuously evolving. The professionals who thrive will combine traditional expertise—understanding materials, building relationships, solving practical problems—with adaptability to new technologies, regulations, and customer expectations.
Your Next Steps
For professionals displaced from other sectors or seeking more stable employment, the building materials industry offers accessible opportunities with genuine advancement potential. But approaching these positions strategically increases your likelihood of success.
Research thoroughly. Don't just read job descriptions; understand the companies. Kent Building Supplies operates as part of a diversified conglomerate with 140 years of history. QXO is building something new under proven leadership. Cornerstone Building Brands leads its market. Each company has different culture, different growth trajectory, different opportunity profile. Understanding these distinctions helps you target applications effectively.
Emphasize transferable skills. The yard supervisor role values leadership and customer service—skills developed in many contexts. The LBM associate position requires customer focus and willingness to learn—qualities demonstrated through various experiences. The driver position demands reliability and professionalism—attributes shown through track record, not just credentials. Identify the connections between your background and position requirements.
Demonstrate industry interest. Even if you're new to building materials, show you've made effort to understand the sector. Read industry publications. Follow major companies. Understand current challenges and opportunities. Employers value candidates who see their role not just as a job but as entry into a career in an industry they find genuinely interesting.
Be honest about learning curves. If you're transitioning from a different sector, acknowledge that you'll need to develop new expertise while highlighting your capacity to learn quickly. Companies expect this; what they're evaluating is your attitude toward that learning and your commitment to developing competency.
Consider geographic flexibility. These five positions span from Nova Scotia to Iowa, from Saskatchewan to Ontario. Building materials is a geographically distributed industry—materials are heavy, transportation is expensive, and relationships are often local. Being open to relocation or recognizing where opportunities concentrate in your region expands your options significantly.
The application links are provided with each position profile. But before you apply, invest time in understanding what you're applying for and why. The best candidates aren't just seeking any job; they're pursuing specific opportunities that align with their skills, interests, and career goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills are needed to work in the building materials industry?
The specific skills vary by role, but several capabilities prove valuable across the sector. Technical knowledge of products and their applications becomes increasingly important as you advance. Customer service skills matter in almost every role, whether you're helping contractors select materials or managing relationships with distribution partners. Problem-solving ability is essential—construction projects involve complexity, tight timelines, and unexpected challenges that require creative solutions. Physical capability matters for many positions, from warehouse work to delivery driving. And increasingly, digital fluency with inventory systems, CRM tools, and data analysis platforms provides competitive advantage.
What is an LBM Associate and what do they do?
An LBM (Lumber & Building Materials) Associate assists customers with their building material needs, provides knowledgeable advice, prepares quotations, and ensures excellent service. The role combines customer service with technical expertise, requiring understanding of building materials, codes, permits, and inventory management. LBM associates become trusted advisors for contractors and DIY customers, helping them select appropriate materials and quantities for their projects.
How do I apply for a yard supervisor job in building materials?
Start by identifying companies in your region—major chains like Kent Building Supplies, RONA, Home Depot, Lowe's, and independent retailers all employ yard supervisors. Review their career pages for open positions. When applying, emphasize any retail management or leadership experience, customer service capabilities, and familiarity with building materials if you have it. Companies value the ability to manage changing priorities in a fast-paced environment, motivate others through positive attitude, and demonstrate drive and commitment to reach goals. Even without direct building materials experience, strong leadership and customer service backgrounds can position you as a viable candidate.
What career advancement opportunities exist in building materials?
The industry offers multiple advancement pathways. Retail positions can progress from associate to department supervisor to assistant store manager to store manager and beyond. Sales roles can expand from territory representative to regional manager to national accounts. Technical positions like compliance engineering can advance to engineering management or product development. Financial and analytical roles can progress into broader operational leadership. Many companies prioritize internal promotion and provide training programs to support career development. QXO specifically emphasizes providing training and advancement opportunities as part of its employee value proposition.
Are building materials companies hiring during economic uncertainty?
Yes. While sectors like technology and logistics have announced layoffs, building materials companies continue hiring across multiple roles and regions. This reflects the industry's connection to sustained demand drivers: infrastructure investment programs, housing needs, building maintenance and renovation, and the transition to more sustainable construction practices. The five positions profiled here—from Nova Scotia to Iowa, from entry-level to senior roles—demonstrate the breadth of current hiring activity.
What does a financial planning and analysis manager do in this industry?
FP&A managers prepare and maintain key financial reports, analyze historical operating expense trends to identify cost savings opportunities, partner with regional teams to implement solutions to drive labor productivity, and engage in the annual budgeting process. In building materials distribution, this means understanding how branches and regions perform financially, identifying operational improvements, and supporting strategic decision-making. The role combines traditional financial analysis with operational focus, requiring both technical skills and business acumen.
What are the benefits of working in building materials versus logistics or retail?
Building materials combines elements of both sectors while offering distinct advantages. Like logistics, it involves physical products and supply chain management, but with more local focus and less pressure for overnight delivery. Like retail, it involves customer service and product knowledge, but typically with professional customers who value expertise over price alone. The industry offers competitive compensation with benefits, opportunities for advancement, and connection to tangible, meaningful work. Companies provide comprehensive benefits packages including health coverage, retirement plans, paid time off, and training opportunities.
What training or certifications can help me get hired in building supplies?
Specific certifications vary by role. For driving positions, commercial licenses (Class 5, DZ, or AZ in Canada; CDL in the United States) are required. For technical roles like compliance engineering, professional engineering designations matter. For sales and customer service positions, product knowledge certifications from manufacturers can be valuable. But many companies emphasize that they provide training, particularly for entry-level roles. Neepawa Home Hardware Building Centre notes that Level 1 or 2 estimating experience is an asset but training is provided. Demonstrating willingness to learn and commitment to developing expertise often matters more than arriving with perfect credentials.
How stable are jobs in the building materials sector?
Building materials employment demonstrates relative stability compared to many sectors because it's connected to fundamental, ongoing needs. Buildings require continuous maintenance, renovation, and replacement. Infrastructure demands sustained investment. Housing needs persist across economic cycles. While the industry isn't immune to economic fluctuations—construction activity slows during recessions—it recovers and continues growing over time. Companies with diversified product portfolios, multiple geographic markets, and both residential and commercial customers tend to provide the most stable employment.
What is the future job outlook for building materials careers?
The outlook is positive, driven by several sustained trends. Infrastructure investment programs across North America will continue for decades, requiring building materials and the professionals who work with them. Housing shortages in many regions will drive residential construction. The transition to more sustainable building practices will create demand for new materials and new expertise. Digital transformation will reshape operations while creating demand for professionals who understand both building materials and technology. The industry's essential nature—you cannot eliminate the need for buildings—combined with these growth drivers suggests continued strong demand for skilled professionals.