Test Automation Lead

Howdens-95ed4e89; Northampton; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car or Car Allowance

Excellent pension scheme (company 12%+

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Staff discount and colleague benefits

ShareSave scheme

Subsidised restaurant facilities atKey

Free onsite parking

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Howdens Joinery is seeking an experienced Test Automation Lead to lead a team of automation specialists and advance our automation tooling across Howdens platforms, including howdens.com. This permanent full-time role can be based at Brackmills Northampton, Croxley Park Watford, or Howden East Yorkshire.

You will define strategy, expand automation coverage and accelerate delivery by implementing best practices across our digital platforms, ensuring governance and security alignment while

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading test automation teams.
• Experience delivering automation for large-scale digital platforms and frequent release cycles.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise automation tools and frameworks.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with operational delivery.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and support a team of QA Automation Engineers.
• Own and manage enterprise test automation platforms and tooling.
• Drive automation strategy, roadmaps and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with technology and business stakeholders to deliver value-driven solutions.
• Ensure automation solutions meet governance, security and quality standards.

Skills

Team leadership

Test automation

Automation frameworks

Stakeholder management

Tools

Tricentis

Selenium

Ranorex

Robot Framework

Job description

We 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 and can be based from our site on Brackmills Business Park, Northampton, Croxley Park, Watford or Howden, East Yorkshire.

What will you be doing?

As our Test Automation Lead, you'll act as the technical authority for test automation tooling and frameworks across Howdens. Leading a team of automation specialists, you'll be responsible for defining strategy, improving automation coverage and ensuring our platforms support the rapid delivery of technology change. A key focus of the role will be accelerating delivery across our digital platforms, including howdens.com, through the expansion of automation capabilities and the implementation of automation best practice.

You'll also:

• Lead, develop and support a team of QA Automation Engineers
• Own and manage enterprise test automation platforms and tooling
• Drive automation strategy, roadmaps and continuous improvement initiatives
• Work closely with technology and business stakeholders to deliver value-driven solutions
• Ensure automation solutions meet governance, security and quality standards
• Oversee the design, build, testing and deployment of automation capabilities
• Manage vendor relationships and third-party partners
• Monitor emerging technologies and industry best practice to inform future direction
• Support frequent, high-quality software releases through enhanced automation coverage
• Lead problem investigations, root cause analysis and service improvements

What do we need from you?

• Proven experience leading test automation teams
• Strong knowledge of enterprise automation tools such as Tricentis, Selenium, Ranorex or Robot Framework
• Experience delivering automation solutions that support large-scale digital platforms and frequent release cycles
• A track record of managing applications, vendors and technology roadmaps
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Experience working within IT service management and change control frameworks
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• The ability to balance strategic planning with operational delivery

What can we offer you?

• Competitive salary and annual bonus
• Car or Car Allowance
• Excellent pension scheme (company contribution of up to 12%)
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Staff discount and colleague benefits package
• ShareSave scheme
• Subsidised restaurant facilities at key locations
• Free onsite parking
• Exceptional career development opportunities within a FTSE 100-sized business
• Access to industry-leading technology projects and transformation initiatives

Please note that candidates applying for this role must have a valid right to work in the UK, we do not offer sponsorship of employment for any depot positions at this time.

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 960 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.

Howdens Joinery is a highly successful FTSE 100 business, with more than 900 depots nationwide and more than 11,000 staff. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we continue to experience significant growth and success. Despite our scale, Howdens remains a local business with traditional values. There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast‑paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens – and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For. 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 work exclusively with trade professionals, giving them the products, service, and support they need to deliver kitchens fitted to the highest standard. By building strong partnerships with local tradespeople, we help them exceed their customers’ expectations, and in turn, we all succeed together. Our success is built on a simple but powerful model: locally empowered depot teams backed by a world‑class supply chain. This means we can keep products in stock, provide exceptional service, and deliver real value to our customers every day.