Job Description

Howarth Timber Group is proud to have been officially recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025!

Job Title: Showroom Administration Assistant & Trainee Sales Designer

Putting people at the heart of what we do

With 185 years' trading experience, the Howarth Timber Group has grown to provide not only the widest range of products, but expertise, service and knowledge you can rely on.

With a nationwide network of branches supplying timber, building and plumbing and heating materials, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms and a dedicated manufacturing division supplying timber engineering services, the Howarth Timber Group is focused on providing market leading choice, quality, service and value.

Built on a passion for service and people, we strive to set the highest standards in the quality of our products, in the continuity of supply and in every aspect of customer service and support. Quality products and processes are what drive our passion, but people are central to everything we do and it's thanks to our loyal workforce that we've built a strong and successful business.

What does it mean to be a Howarth Timber & Building Supplies Limited Showroom Administration Assistant & Trainee Sales Designer

We are looking for a Showroom Sales Administrator/Trainee Sales Designer to join our busy kitchen, bedroom and bathroom showroom in Wakefield. You will perform a variety of administrative tasks, including answering phones and managing emails, scheduling appointments and planning meetings. You will also be meeting and greeting customers and offering help and advice to ensure they have a great experience in our branch.

You will be fully trained by the Company on the design and pricing of customer kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms and the preparation of and checking of quotations, processing sales and purchase orders, whilst ensuring the smooth running of customer projects.

For this position, you should be able to use your organisational skills to manage your office space and your time effectively, as you will collaborate with clients and colleagues in an exciting and constantly evolving industry. You should also have excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Ultimately, you will be able to support our Showroom Sales Manager to ensure our day-to-day showroom operations run smoothly.

Training will be provided for the showroom products and design using ArtiCAD, as well as on all internal systems and customer finance software.

Showroom Administration Assistant & Trainee Sales Designer role responsibilities

Answer phone calls, provide information to callers Schedule appointments and update calendars Monitor design/sales funnel and update Written or verbal correspondence to leads provided, with branch information and/or invitations Develop and maintain a filing system Create and maintain spreadsheets Greet and provide general support to showroom visitors Deal with customer complaints or issues calmly and efficiently/effectively Monitor schedules and deadlines Attend promotional showroom events (some will be out of normal office hours) Attend all training, both internal and external, deemed appropriate to the nature of the job role

What are the requirements to be a part of our team?

A flair for interior design and a keen eye for detail Understanding of and experience in office operations Hands on experience with MS Office, in particular MS Excel Excellent verbal and written communication skills Comfortable dealing with people in a sales-based environment Strong organisational and time-management skills Full UK driving licence Availability to work full time, including alternate Saturday mornings (0800-1200)

Why choose Howarth Timber & Building Supplies for your next role?

Howarth Timber is a family-owned company valuing all colleagues, with a desire to provide colleague benefits that are truly valuable. Benefits include but are not limited to:

Competitive salary, dependent on experience 31 days' holiday, inclusive of Statutory Bank Holidays Option to buy up to an additional 5 days' annual leave per annum or sell up to 3 days' annual leave per annum Length of service awards Cycle to work scheme Contributory pension scheme Company sick pay Enhanced paternity and maternity pay Employee Assistance Programme, (24/7 helpline, counselling sessions, legal, debt and life management advice line) Benefits Hub (inc discounts on gift cards, travel, cinema tickets, to name a few) Colleague Merchant Branch discount Opportunity to participate in a volunteering role for one working day per year - fully paid by the Company Excellent training and development and scope for career progression
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 10.00-13.50 per hour

Benefits:

Additional leave Company pension Cycle to work scheme Employee discount Enhanced maternity leave Enhanced paternity leave Free parking On-site parking Sick pay Store discount
Application question(s):

Are you available to work full time to include alternate Saturday mornings (0800-1200)? Please tell us about your interest in interior design in particular what you know about kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms, latest trends, etc.
Experience:

Microsoft Office: 1 year (required) general administration: 1 year (required)
Licence/Certification:

full UK driving licence (required)
Work Location: In person