Howdens have a new exciting opportunity to join our Senior team in a Head of Systems QA role.
A significant role in our team we are looking for someone who can bring a fast paced, energetic nature to assure the delivery of systems in the Howdens system landscape.
This is a permanent full-time opportunity. Based at one of our corporate sites including Raunds, Northamptonshire, Brackmills Business Park, Northampton, Howden, Yorkshire or Croxley Park, Watford you will be expected to travel and work onsite 4 days per week.
What you’ll be doing
- Provide direct leadership to multiple System QA teams, ensuring excellence throughout the QA lifecycle and full adherence to internal processes and quality standards.
- You’ll take ownership of vendor relationships and commercial management within the Systems QA function, ensuring that all third-party support and services deliver to agreed standards.
- Working in close partnership with business and IS teams, you will drive the assurance that all systems under test are fit for purpose — meeting both functional and non-functional requirements — and that any issues are effectively managed and resolved with the appropriate teams.
- You will also play a key role in maintaining and delivering continuous improvement and solution roadmaps, collaborating closely with PMO, Architecture, and Systems Owners to align with the wider Digital, Business Systems, Technology, and People Systems strategies.
- As the main point of contact for senior IS stakeholders, you’ll act as the organisation’s authority on QA processes and best practices — setting the standard for how quality assurance is defined, delivered, and continually improved at Howdens.
What we need from you
- 8+ years’ experience leading QA teams in multi-site or multi-channel organisation.
- Proven track record of delivering system QA in a vertically integrated business
- Demonstrable experience of vendor and partner management, including contract negotiation and performance oversight.
- Strong understanding QA strategy and approaches across multiple system domains (COTS / SAAS / PAAS / integration / enterprise applications / digital commerce and marketing / infrastructure etc)Experience of aligning systems QA with enterprise architecture, PMO frameworks, applications and business strategy.
- Strong vendor engagement and management
- Trusted advisor with the credibility to influence senior stakeholders and shape business development strategies.
- Strong leadership presence, leading by example and developing high-performing teams.
- Passionate about driving innovation in QA to support growth
What we can offer you
- Competitive salary and company bonus
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
- Car Allowance or Company Car
- Private Healthcare for you and your family
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days.
- Staff Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events
About Howdens:
FTSE100 company and the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier Howdens Joinery provides thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 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. If you want to be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the Best Big Companies to Work For, please apply now.
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