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- Tasks: Lead a diverse team to enhance customer service and planning.
- Company: Join Howden Work Surfaces, a company that values culture and customer experience.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus scheme, company car, pension, and free meals.
- Other info: Enjoy 25 days holiday, recognition events, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape a positive work environment while making a real impact on customer satisfaction.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams and a passion for developing others.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
At Howden Work Surfaces, we are proud of the experience we create for our customers and the culture we build within our teams. We are now looking for a Customer Service & Planning Manager who will play a key role in shaping both. This is a leadership role where people come first. You will lead a large, diverse team, creating an environment where individuals feel supported, developed, and empowered to deliver their best work. At the same time, you will influence how we show up for our customers every day, ensuring every interaction reflects the quality and care we are known for.
Location: Normanton, West Yorkshire (minimum 4 days a week in the office)
Contract: Full-time, permanent
Reporting to: Head of Customer Service & Planning
Why join Howdens as a Customer Service & Planning Manager
- Lead and inspire a large team, creating a positive and inclusive culture where people feel engaged, valued, and motivated.
- Support and develop your leaders, helping them build strong teams and grow their capability and confidence.
- Shape the way the team works day to day, setting clear expectations while encouraging accountability, collaboration, and pride in delivery.
- Keep the customer at the heart of every decision, delivering a consistent, high-quality experience from order through to installation.
- Listen to colleagues and customers, using feedback to drive improvements and make the service simpler and more effective.
- Build strong relationships across the business, bringing teams together to solve problems and improve outcomes.
- Create an environment where people feel confident to share ideas, take ownership, and continuously improve ways of working.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys developing others, leading through change, and creating a culture where people and performance thrive together.
What you will be doing
- Lead the Customer Service and Planning function, ensuring teams feel supported, and customers receive a consistently high standard of service.
- Develop and coach your leadership team, helping them build engaged, high-performing teams of their own.
- Take ownership of the customer journey, ensuring it is smooth, responsive, and aligned across all touchpoints.
- Work closely with depots, builders, and internal teams, acting as a trusted point of contact and supporting effective communication.
- Handle challenges and escalations in a calm and constructive way, focusing on the right outcomes for customers and colleagues.
- Use feedback and insight to identify opportunities to improve how the team operates.
- Encourage collaboration between teams, removing barriers and strengthening ways of working.
- Foster an environment where individuals feel supported, listened to, and confident in their roles.
What we are looking for
- Experience leading large teams and developing others, with a genuine passion for people and culture.
- Confident in building relationships and influencing at all levels across the business.
- Comfort leading through change, providing clarity and support to teams.
- A balanced approach to decision making, considering both business needs and the experience of colleagues and customers.
- Motivation to create a positive environment where people feel engaged, supported, and proud of the work they do.
What we can offer
- Competitive salary and bonus scheme
- Company car or car allowance
- Excellent pension scheme with company contribution up to 12%
- Free daily meal at the on-site canteen
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to buy additional days
- Share save scheme
- Reward and recognition events
Customer Service & Planning Manager employer: Howdens-95ed4e89
Contact Detail:
Howdens-95ed4e89 Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Customer Service & Planning Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections on LinkedIn or even in person. Let them know you're on the lookout for a Customer Service & Planning Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company culture and values. Howden Work Surfaces is all about people and quality service, so think about how you can showcase your leadership skills and passion for developing teams during your chat.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or mentor to do mock interviews with you. Focus on how you would handle customer interactions and team dynamics, as these are key aspects of the role. The more comfortable you are, the better you'll perform!
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining Howden Work Surfaces and being part of their amazing team culture.
We think you need these skills to ace Customer Service & Planning Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for People: When you're writing your application, let your passion for people and culture shine through. Share examples of how you've led teams and created positive environments in the past. We want to see that you genuinely care about developing others!
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your leadership experience and how you've influenced customer service in previous roles. This helps us see how you'd fit right in with our team!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us that you’re keen on joining Howden Work Surfaces!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens-95ed4e89
✨Know the Company Culture
Before your interview, take some time to understand Howden Work Surfaces' culture and values. They pride themselves on creating a positive environment for both customers and employees. Show that you resonate with this by sharing examples of how you've fostered a supportive team culture in your previous roles.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As a Customer Service & Planning Manager, you'll be leading a large team. Prepare to discuss your leadership style and provide specific examples of how you've developed others and built high-performing teams. Highlight any experiences where you successfully navigated change and supported your team through it.
✨Focus on Customer Experience
Howden places a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. Be ready to talk about how you've previously improved customer journeys and handled escalations. Use concrete examples to illustrate your ability to keep the customer at the heart of every decision and how you’ve used feedback to drive improvements.
✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit
Collaboration is key in this role. Think of instances where you've worked across departments to solve problems or improve outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how you encourage teamwork and remove barriers, ensuring everyone feels valued and heard in the process.