Howdens

About the Company

Howdens is the UK’s number one kitchen supplier, providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, hardware, and bathrooms. We have over 850 depots across the UK and Europe, with total UK sales reaching £2.3 billion in 2024.

Our trade-only model
We only sell to the trade as they have the craftsmanship and know-how to fit our products to the highest possible standard. We believe the builder is best placed to co-ordinate projects, supported by local Howdens depots underpinned by a dedicated supply chain and extensive product design and innovation.

A framework for success
This trade-only model is supported by an in-stock product framework, where builders can expect to get the products they need to complete the job from stock at their local depot. This is achieved by having a dedicated supply chain, efficient warehouse structure, and UK-based manufacturing sites at Howden, East Yorkshire and Runcorn, Cheshire.

Entrepreneurial culture
The autonomy given to our depot managers is a key element of our business model and success. Every depot is dedicated to helping local tradespeople build their businesses and, within each one, builders can find plentiful stock, design expertise, knowledgeable staff, and the best local price.

Community
Our belief is that where communities thrive, we thrive. We are passionate about serving our local communities and actively encourage our colleagues to get involved through volunteering, sponsored events and supporting local charities.

One of the UK's Best Big Companies to Work For
In 2022, over 7,000 of our employees completed the Best Companies engagement survey and, based on their feedback, Howdens ranked 10th in the 2022 Best Big Companies to Work For list, up four places since we last participated in 2020.

Listed Jobs

Company Name

Howdens

Job Title

IT Placement Programme

Job Description

**Job Title** IT Placement Programme **Role Summary** A 12‑month sandwich placement for an undergraduate student, providing hands‑on experience in a UK‑based FTSE 100 IT department. The role supports multiple IT teams—including Business Analysis, .NET and front‑end development, and UX/visual design—across manufacturing, warehouse, and retail sites. The placement offers real projects, stakeholder interaction, and exposure to cloud and enterprise‑scale systems. **Expectations** - Enrolled in an undergraduate STEM degree, currently in a final or intermediate year. - Available to undertake the placement between July 2026 and August 2027. - Right to work in the UK and hold a valid driving licence. - Live within 75 minutes of the Raunds office and be willing to travel within the region. - Proactive, detail‑oriented, and a confident communicator who works well in teams. **Key Responsibilities** *Business Analysis* - Participate in workshops to gather requirements from cross‑functional stakeholders. - Assist in documenting processes, creating user stories, and mapping current‑and‑future states. - Support change management activities and maintain project documentation. *Net Development* - Develop and maintain .NET/C# applications, ensuring scalable design. - Build responsive UI components using HTML5, CSS, and modern frameworks (React/Vue). - Design data models and query databases (SQL Server, Oracle, Cosmos DB). - Deploy and manage services on Microsoft Azure; troubleshoot production issues. *Front‑End, Visual Design & UX* - Convert UX/UI prototypes into clean, responsive HTML/CSS. - Implement digital campaigns for howdens.com and email templates. - Apply accessibility, performance, and best‑practice standards in a large‑scale retail context. - Collaborate with designers, merchandisers, and marketing teams to deliver user‑focused solutions. **Required Skills** - Demonstrated interest in IT and willingness to learn new technologies. - Basic understanding of web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) and/or .NET/C#. - Strong communication and teamwork abilities; comfortable engaging stakeholders. - Analytical mindset with excellent attention to detail; proactive problem‑solving. **Required Education & Certifications** - Current undergraduate student in a STEM discipline (computer science, information technology, engineering, etc.). - No specific certifications required, but familiarity with Microsoft Azure, SQL, or web frameworks is a plus. - Valid UK right‑to‑work status.

Raunds, United kingdom

On site

02-03-2026

Company Name

Howdens

Job Title

Business Developer

Job Description

**Job Title** Business Developer **Role Summary** Drive customer acquisition and retention by cultivating relationships with trade customers. Daily outreach via telephone and email to identify upsell opportunities and deliver high‑quality service. Provide administrative support to depots and collaborate with Kitchen Sales Designers and Territory Sales Representatives to schedule appointments and generate fuel leads. **Expectations** * Achieve individual and depot targets. * Maintain a high level of customer satisfaction. * Manage time effectively in a fast‑paced environment. **Key Responsibilities** * Prospect and engage trade customers on a daily basis. * Identify and pitch upsell and cross‑sell opportunities. * Coordinate appointment scheduling and fuel lead generation with sales teams. * Provide consistent administrative support to depot operations. * Track and report sales activity and progress against targets. **Required Skills** * Strong customer service orientation. * Excellent communication and sales presentation skills. * Ability to thrive in a fast‑paced, target‑driven environment. * Prioritisation, organisation, and time‑management. * Curiosity and willingness to learn. **Required Education & Certifications** * Minimum of a UK GCSE/GCSE equivalent (or equivalent education). * No specific certification required; sales or customer‑service training is a plus.

London, United kingdom

On site

04-03-2026