** Howarth Timber Group is proud to have been officially recognised in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2026! **
What does it mean to be a Howarth Timber Counter Sales Assistant?
A Counter Sales Assistant at our busy timber and builders merchant in Malton will be right at the heart of the action — serving customers face‑to‑face, offering practical product advice, processing orders quickly and keeping things moving during peak trade hours. It’s a hands‑on role that blends customer service with product knowledge, multitasking and problem‑solving, making sure tradespeople and DIY customers get exactly what they need to crack on with the job.
Putting people at the heart of what we do
With more than 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 and building materials, kitchens 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.
Counter Sales Assistant Role Responsibility
- serving customers both over the phone and face to face and building relationships, repeat business and add-on sales
- handle incoming telephone calls/emails and deal with a wide range of customer enquiries
- maintaining a well-stocked, clean, tidy and safe working environment, adhering to the Company’s health and safety policy and procedure at all times
- working closely and effectively with colleagues as part of the overall Branch sales team with enquiries and order processing
- maintain accurate stock management
- maintain core stock levels and manage out obsolete stock
What are the requirements to become part of our team?
- Excellent customer service skills and experience; knowing what great service feels like to our customers is really important to us
- Strong telephone experience and excellent face-to-face communication skills
- Previous sales experience with a commercially-driven attitude
- Product knowledge relevant to our industry sector would be preferable, although full training can be given to the right applicant
- A high level of accuracy and attention to detail
- A flexible attitude
- Availability to work 20 hours per week: Tuesday to Saturday inclusive, 8 am until 12 noon.
Why choose Howarth Timber & Building Supplies for your next role?
Howarth Timber is a family-owned company, 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
- Opportunity to buy up to an additional 5 days’ annual leave or sell up to 3 days’ annual leave
- Length of service awards
- Cycle to work scheme
- Contributory pension scheme
- Death in service benefit
- Company sick pay
- Colleague referral bonus scheme — if you refer someone for an HGV Driver role and they successfully complete their probationary period, you’ll receive a £500 bonus. T&Cs apply.
- Online Benefits Hub (inc discounts on gift cards, travel, cinema tickets, to name a few)
- Employee Assistance Programme, (24/7 helpline, counselling sessions, legal, debt and life management advice line)
- Generous 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 opportunities
Application deadline: 6th August 2026.
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Paid volunteer time
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Application question(s):
- Are you available to work 20 hours per week across Tuesday to Saturday inclusive: 0800-1200?
Experience:
- timber and building materials sales: 1 year (preferred)
- proven sales: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
