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- Tasks: Lead a team of automation specialists to enhance our digital platforms.
- Company: Join Howdens, the UK's top trade kitchen supplier with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, private medical insurance, and 25 days holiday.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on high-quality releases while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in test automation and strong leadership abilities required.
- Other info: Be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for workplace excellence.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Howdens are looking for an experienced Test Automation Lead to join our growing core systems team at Howdens. In this role you will lead a team of automation specialists, develop our automation tooling and help drive faster, higher quality releases across our digital platforms, including howdens.com. 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 will do:
- Lead, coach and develop a team of automation engineers
- Own and improve automation frameworks and tooling including Tosca, Selenium, Ranorex and Robot Framework
- Increase automation coverage to support frequent website releases
- Oversee design, build and maintenance of automation scripts
- Drive best practice, continuous improvement and platform roadmaps
- Partner with stakeholders across IT and the business
- Manage vendor relationships and ensure systems remain secure and effective
What we are looking for:
- Extensive experience of developing and managing automation tools and test engineers to support frequent, high quality releases to public facing websites in large organisations.
- Hands on experience in managing enterprise test automation solutions in a multi-site environment
- Proven track record of leading teams in delivering high-quality test automation solutions and enhancements and upgrades
- Strong understanding of modern system, development and support best practices
- Familiarity with ITIL service management processes
- Effective communicator able to translate technical detail when communicated with stakeholders
- Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and retain technical talent
- Analytical and problem-solving mindset with a focus on performance optimisation and continuous improvement
- Collaborative approach, working effectively across business, technical, and vendor teams
- Ability to balance strategic platform development with day-to-day operational needs
What we offer:
- Competitive salary and annual company bonus
- Company car or car allowance
- Private medical insurance
- Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays with the option to buy additional days
- Free lunch at our onsite canteen (Howden site only)
- Staff Discount
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Exceptional Reward and Recognition events
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 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. As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast paced and commercial environment, you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the 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, 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.
Test Automation Lead in Northampton employer: Howdens Joinery Co.
Contact Detail:
Howdens Joinery Co. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Test Automation Lead in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to test automation. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s showtime!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through a portfolio or GitHub repository. We love seeing real examples of your work, especially if you’ve developed automation frameworks or scripts. This gives potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always on the lookout for passionate candidates who want to join our team and help us drive innovation at Howdens.
We think you need these skills to ace Test Automation Lead in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Test Automation Lead role. Highlight your experience with automation tools like Tosca, Selenium, and Ranorex, and showcase any leadership roles you've had in the past. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about automation and how you can contribute to our team at Howdens. Be sure to mention your experience in managing teams and driving improvements in automation processes.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out your application, don’t just list your responsibilities—show us your achievements! Include specific examples of how you've increased automation coverage or improved release quality in previous roles. Numbers and results speak volumes!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect with us directly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens Joinery Co.
✨Know Your Tools Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the automation tools mentioned in the job description, like Tosca, Selenium, and Ranorex. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with these tools and how you've used them to improve automation frameworks in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a team, prepare examples of how you've successfully coached and developed automation engineers in the past. Highlight any specific challenges you faced and how you motivated your team to overcome them.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
Familiarise yourself with Howdens' business model and their digital platforms. Be prepared to discuss how your role as a Test Automation Lead can contribute to their ambitious growth agenda and enhance the quality of their public-facing websites.
✨Communicate Effectively
Practice translating technical jargon into layman's terms, as you'll need to communicate with various stakeholders. Think of examples where you’ve successfully bridged the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders to drive projects forward.
