Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide expert Employee Relations advice and support to managers and employees.
- Company: Join Howdens, the UK's leading trade kitchen supplier with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, staff discounts, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in employee relations while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in ER or HR, with strong customer service and organisational skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and opportunities for professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.
Join Howdens Joinery as an Employee Relations Specialist supporting our Depot network. This permanent role offers the opportunity to specialise in Employee Relations within the UK’s leading Trade Kitchen Supplier. This role is based at our Croxley site in Hertfordshire, working four days a week at the office and one day working from home. We welcome applications from candidates seeking full‑time or part‑time arrangements.
What I will be doing as an ER Specialist:
- Deliver efficient ER advisory services with high standards of customer service and accurate employment advice.
- Advise managers on policy, HR best practices, and legislation while managing a portfolio of 30 cases, including complex ER issues.
- Partner with managers, coach on risk assessment, and provide options to support informed decisions.
- Respond to employee queries and concerns.
- Support senior management with case documentation and employment tribunal reports.
- Deliver ER workshops to enhance understanding of best practices and risk in performance management.
- Maintain knowledge of HR legislation, policies, and assist with reviews.
- Use HR systems and Microsoft Office to manage and update data.
- Ensure HR correspondence meets SLAs and business needs.
Qualifications:
- Current experience as an ER or HR Advisor, or proven experience across the full spectrum of ER matters.
- Credible ER knowledge covering all elements of the employee life cycle.
- Achievement or working towards a Level 3 to 5 (or equivalent) CIPD qualification.
- Strong customer service skills with the ability to deliver constructive, supportive, and accurate employment advice.
- Understanding of employment law legislation and its application in a commercial environment.
- Organised and able to prioritise workload.
- Ability to build effective working relationships with managers.
Benefits:
- Competitive salary and company bonus.
- Excellent pension scheme with company contribution of up to 12%.
- 25 days holiday plus bank holidays.
- Staff discount.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- Exceptional reward and recognition events.
Howdens Joinery is the UK’s number one trade kitchen supplier, providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. With over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe, we serve more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa £2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.
We’re committed to creating a future where world‑class service, innovation, and sustainability are at the core of everything we do. Howdens is founded on the principle of being worthwhile for all concerned. We strive to provide an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome. If you need 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.
ER Specialist employer: Howdens
Contact Detail:
Howdens Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land ER Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Howdens on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give us insider info about the company culture and maybe even a referral!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your ER knowledge. We should be ready to discuss real-life scenarios and how we’d handle them. Practice makes perfect, so role-play with a friend!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off our customer service skills during the interview. Remember, this role is all about advising and supporting others, so let’s highlight our ability to communicate effectively and empathetically.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after the interview! A quick thank-you email can keep us fresh in their minds and show our enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s just good manners!
We think you need these skills to ace ER Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the ER Specialist role. Highlight your relevant experience in employee relations and any specific cases you've managed. 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 employee relations and how you can contribute to our team at Howdens. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Customer Service Skills: Since this role involves advising managers and responding to employee queries, make sure to highlight your customer service skills. Share examples of how you've provided support and guidance in previous roles – we value that here at Howdens!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Howdens
✨Know Your ER Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your Employee Relations knowledge before the interview. Understand the key policies, HR best practices, and relevant legislation that Howdens operates under. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're serious about the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role involves delivering high standards of customer service, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully handled employee queries or complex ER issues. Highlight how you provided constructive advice and built relationships with managers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about specific ER scenarios during the interview. Think through potential case studies or situations you might face in the role and how you would approach them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and ability to manage a portfolio of cases effectively.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Howdens
Research Howdens Joinery and its culture. Understanding their values and how they operate will help you align your answers with what they’re looking for. Plus, it shows genuine interest in the company, which is always a plus in an interview!
