Howdens is looking for a Junior Technical Assistant to join our talented Technical Team. If you have a degree or work experience in Product Design, Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related discipline and you’re eager to work with real products, support innovation, and help bring new ideas to life this could be an excellent opportunity to develop your career.
Location: Howdens, Goole
Contract: Permanent/Full-time
Reporting to: Senior Technical Developer
What would you be doing as a Junior Technical Assistant:
Role
As a Technical Assistant, you’ll play a key supporting role in our Technical Development Team, helping to deliver projects that shape Howdens’ extensive product portfolio of more than 9,000 SKUs, including kitchens, worktops, accessories, and packaging. You will:
* Support delivery of NPI, product changes, packaging development, and improvements across multiple sites (Howden, Runcorn, HWS, PTO)
* Coordinate activities with the Fit, Form & Function testing facility at Factory 4 and assist in generating test reports
* Manage ordering, tracking, and storage of product samples from stock and suppliers
* Arrange and report on production trials with manufacturing teams
* Assist with specification updates and ensure product changes are documented accurately
* Support manufacturing teams with quality or process-related issues
* Provide technical support to depots via the helpline
* Respond to technical product requests from the Contracts Team
* Review and interpret technical drawings and documentation
* Raise purchase orders and process invoices
* Act as a key coordinator between teams, suppliers, and sites to ensure smooth communication and timely project delivery
* Opportunity to progress into a Technical Developer role
What do you need to qualify for the Junior Technical Assistant:
Skills
We’re looking for enthusiastic candidates who bring a blend of technical knowledge, practical skills, and the right mindset to thrive in a fast-paced environment. We welcome applications from individuals at any stage of their career. To be successful in this role, you should have:
* A degree in Product Design, Industrial Design, Furniture Design, or a related design/development discipline (or equivalent industry experience)
* Ideally, experience within a manufacturing or technical support environment
* Strong proficiency with Microsoft 365, with SAP experience considered a bonus
* Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD software
* The ability to create and maintain accurate technical documentation
* Excellent attention to detail and the capability to manage multiple priorities at once
* Strong communication and organisation skills, paired with a proactive, problem-solving approach
* The confidence and interpersonal skills needed to build effective working relationships across teams
What can we offer you as a Junior Technical Assistant:
* Competitive Salary + Bonus
* Pension Plan with a maximum company contribution of 12%
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays with an opportunity to purchase additional days
* Staff discount
* Ongoing support and development
* Free lunch at our onsite canteen
* Free onsite car parking
* A friendly and supportive environment offering exceptional reward and recognition
About Howdens
Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 800 depots throughout the UK and Europe – making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.
There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.
How To Apply
We’re building a future where world-class service, innovation, and sustainability are embedded within our DNA. If Howdens sounds like the kind of place where you can build and develop your career as a Junior Technical Assistant, then we’re keen to hear from you.
Howdens is founded on the principle of being Worthwhile for ALL concerned. We’re working hard to ensure we provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. We will do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, please email recruitmentteam@howdens.com with the job title and location, and we will be happy to help you.