Location: Howden, Northamptonshire
Closing Date: 16th March 2026
Salary: £25,000 + Benefits
Contract: 12 months “sandwich year”
Kick‑start your IT career with a 12‑month placement at Howdens
Are you an Under‑Graduate looking for a 12‑month IT placement as part of your sandwich year? We have an exciting opportunity where you can build real technical skills, gain hands‑on experience, and make a genuine impact from day one. Join Howdens, based at our Howden, Yorkshire office in Northamptonshire and become part of a successful FTSE 100 business.
For over a decade, Howdens has welcomed Placement Students and helped them thrive. During your IT placement, you’ll work alongside skilled IT professionals, getting stuck into real projects and developing skills that will set you up for life after university. As the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, we’re proud of our strong track record in developing early careers talent — we don’t just promise on‑the‑job learning; we deliver it.
You’ll step into a meaningful role, be treated as a valued member of the team, and gain practical experience that will set you up for life after university. Even better, this placement could be the start of a long‑term career with us, many of our placements have chosen to return and develop their career with Howdens.
What we can offer you
As an IT Placement, you will join us for 12 months, receive a £25,000 salary, and work onsite 5 days a week. You will receive 25 days holiday, plus bank holidays, employee well‑being support, an on‑site restaurant offering a free daily lunch at our Howden site, shopping discounts, and be invited to exceptional reward and recognition events.
About the Placement
Our IT systems department supports the business by designing, developing, configuring, and supporting IT systems in use throughout the business, from manufacturing sites, warehouses and over 900 trade depots around the country. We have several placements with different IT teams in the department where you will have the opportunity to learn and apply your current skills and knowledge in some of the following areas:
Manufacturing Systems
* Hands‑on experience supporting real manufacturing systems in a live environment
* Work on digital systems that keep production running smoothly
* Support new technology and asset installations across the business
* Build practical IT, systems and problem‑solving skills
* Work with experienced engineers, IT teams and external suppliers
* Learn how manufacturing and supply systems operate day to day
* Gain exposure to fault‑finding, system support and improvement work
* Develop professional skills in documentation, reporting and communication
* Take part in small projects that make a real business impact
Am I eligible for this programme?
* Our placement programmes are for university students currently studying towards an undergraduate degree ideally in a STEM subject, who are seeking a 12‑month sandwich placement before their final year of study.
* You must have the right to work in the UK.
* You must be able to undertake your placement between July 2026 and August 2027.
* Have a genuine interest in IT
* Be a confident communicator and be able to work well within a team.
* Possess excellent attention to detail.
* Be able to work collaboratively with others and be solutions‑focused with a positive outlook.
* The role is based in Howden, East Ridings of Yorkshire: you must live within 75 minutes of us.
* Some travel will be expected therefore a driving license is required.
How to apply
* Submit your online application including CV.
* Attach a portfolio or examples of projects or achievements that you have been involved with or solely taken on related to IT & technology. Please note this is optional
Hiring Process
* Closing date for applications Sunday 15th March 2026
* CV shortlist W/C 16th March
* W/C 23rd March Online Assessment
* In‑person Assessment Day at our site in Raunds, Northamptonshire on Monday 20th April.
* Commence placement in August / Sept 2026.
Good luck with your application!
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