At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and develop high-quality T-SQL and maintain robust database structures.
- Company: Join Davies Turner, a leading UK freight forwarder with a family-owned legacy.
- Benefits: Enjoy up to 27 days holiday, private healthcare, and training opportunities.
- Other info: Hybrid role with great career growth in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a growing IT team and make a real impact on critical systems.
- Qualifications: Strong SQL Server experience and excellent T-SQL skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
Davies Turner is hiring a SQL Server Database Developer to join our IT Development team in Dartford.
Location: Dartford, Kent, DA2 6QJ (Hybrid working - minimum 3 days per week in the Dartford office; candidates should be within reasonable commuting distance to Dartford)
Salary: Competitive
Job Type: Full - Time, Permanent
Hours: Monday - Friday, 09.00 - 17.30hrs (37.5hrs per week)
Closing Date: 26 June 2026 at 17:30
A little about Davies Turner Group: Davies Turner Plc is a British based multimodal freight forwarder specialising in logistics, e-commerce and warehousing. As one of the largest independent freight forwarding companies in the UK we manage freight from around the world, by road and rail, through the air and across the oceans. The business remains family owned and was founded in 1870 with 19 branches across the U.K. Our turnover is in excess of £225 million and rapidly growing with nearly 1,000 colleagues.
SQL Server Database Developer - The Role: We are expanding our IT Development capability at Davies Turner and are looking for a talented SQL Server Database Developer to join our growing team in Dartford. This newly created role reflects our continued investment in technology and systems and offers the opportunity to play a key part in the development of business-critical database solutions. This is a hybrid role, with a minimum expectation of 3 working days per week in our Dartford office. Candidates should ideally be based in or within reasonable commuting distance of Dartford. This is an excellent opportunity to join a growing IT Development team within a well-established organisation and play a key role in the continued development of business-critical systems. You will have the chance to contribute to meaningful technical improvements, work closely with experienced colleagues, and help shape high-quality database solutions that support the wider business.
SQL Server Database Developer - Key Responsibilities:
- Design, develop and maintain high-quality T-SQL including stored procedures, views, functions, tables, and indexes
- Design and maintain robust relational data models, schemas, and database structures to support application and integration requirements
- Proactively analyse and resolve database performance bottlenecks using execution plans, indexing strategies, and query refactoring
- Optimise high-volume transactional queries and reporting workloads within SQL Server, using T-SQL and SQL Server Management Studio
- Design and support scalable database patterns suitable for high-availability environments
- Support application and integration development through all stages of delivery
- Support and promote controlled database changes across Development, Test, and Production environments
- Work closely with Azure DevOps-based CI/CD and release processes to version database scripts, coordinate deployment sequencing, and reduce release risk
SQL Server Database Developer - You:
- Strong experience as a SQL Server Database Developer in a production environment
- Excellent T-SQL skills including performance tuning and optimisation
- Strong understanding of relational database design principles and best practice
- Strong practical experience of relational data modelling and schema design in SQL Server
- Hands-on experience developing directly in on-premise Microsoft SQL Server environments using T-SQL and SQL Server Management Studio
- Strong hands-on experience in core SQL Server database development, with a background focused on database development and not primarily on ETL, SSIS, or similar data integration tooling
- Experience using Azure DevOps to support database version control, deployment, and release processes
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
In addition, you will also need the right to work in the UK - we are not able to sponsor work permits.
SQL Server Database Developer - Benefits:
- Up to 27 days holiday plus Bank Holidays
- Life Cover
- Profit related pay
- Defined contribution pension scheme
- Discounted store/shopping benefit scheme
- Private Healthcare
- Car Parking
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Training opportunities (some benefits are subject to a qualifying period)
How to Apply: To apply, please submit your CV together with a short covering letter outlining your relevant SQL Server development experience, including your experience of relational data modelling, T-SQL, and Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio. Please also include your current salary, salary expectations, and notice period. As this is a hybrid role based in Dartford, candidates should also confirm their location or ability to commute to the Dartford office at least 3 days per week. To submit your CV for this SQL Server Database Developer opportunity click Apply now!
SQL Server Database Developer in Wilmington employer: Davies Turner
Davies Turner is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Severn Beach, Bristol, where employees can thrive in a family-owned company with a rich history dating back to 1870. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and comprehensive benefits including private healthcare and training opportunities, the company fosters a culture of growth and support, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in logistics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SQL Server Database Developer in Wilmington
✨Tap into Local Tech Meetups
Get yourself to local tech meetups or database management conferences. It's a really great way to meet industry professionals and potentially uncover unadvertised full-time roles. When chatting with people, mention your skills and interests in database management; you never know who might be looking for someone just like you!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Diving into open-source projects can not only sharpen your database skills but also get you noticed by employers. Many companies look for candidates who actively contribute to projects – it shows initiative and a real passion for the field. Plus, it's a perfect excuse to connect with other developers and expand your professional network.
✨Utilise Professional Bodies
Sign up for professional bodies related to database management, like the British Computer Society. They often host events and networking opportunities that can lead directly to job openings in the full-time market. Plus, it adds a nice touch to your professional profile!
✨Showcase Your Skills in a Public Portfolio
As you’re on the hunt for that full-time role, make sure to have a public portfolio that displays your best database projects. This can easily set you apart from the competition. And when you apply for roles, definitely mention it – it shows employers you mean business and are proud of your work!
We think you need these skills to ace SQL Server Database Developer in Wilmington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your database skills:When applying for a full-time role in database management, it’s super important to highlight your skills with specific database technologies like SQL, NoSQL, or any relevant data visualisation tools. We want to see how you've used these tools in real projects, so don't shy away from detailing your hands-on experience!
Tailor your CV for data:Make sure your CV is structured clearly, focusing on your previous experience in database management. Use specific metrics to demonstrate your impact, like how you improved data retrieval times or reduced errors. This isn't just about what you've done; it’s about what you’ve achieved with your skills!
Craft a compelling cover letter:In your cover letter, share what excites you about database management and how you can contribute to Davies Turner. Mention any relevant projects where you tackled challenges or implemented new solutions. Let us know why you want to join our team and how your passion aligns with our goals.
Document your projects:If you've worked on interesting database projects—maybe during your studies or in previous roles—be sure to include those in your application. If you can, link to a portfolio or GitHub repo where we can see examples of your work. Having a tangible showcase of your skills will really make your application stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Davies Turner
✨Brush Up on Database Tools
Make sure you're well-versed with popular database management systems like MySQL, PostgreSQL, or MongoDB. Incorporating real-world examples of how you've used these tools in past projects will show that you can put theory into practice, which is something Davies Turner will definitely appreciate.
✨Know Your SQL Inside Out
Get ready for some technical questions focused on SQL queries and database design. We should anticipate coding challenges where you might need to optimise queries or design a database schema on the spot. Practising these problems will build our confidence to impress in the interview.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Skills
Besides just technical know-how, be prepared to answer scenario-based questions that test your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Think about how you would approach data integrity issues or handle performance bottlenecks — Davies Turner will want to see your analytical side!
✨Show Your Collaboration Spirit
Since this is a full-time role, it's crucial to highlight how you've collaborated with cross-functional teams or contributed to team projects in the past. Emphasising our interpersonal skills will demonstrate that you’re not just a tech wizard, but also a team player who fits well with Davies Turner's culture.
