Graduate Digital Systems, AI & Programming Specialist

Working Hours \& Benefits Summer Period (April–September): 8:00 am – 5:00 pm Winter Period (October–March): 8:00 am – 6:00 pm Annual Leave: 28 days inclusive of bank holidays Salary: £28,000 – £32,000 per annum (based on industry experience) About the Business: We are one of the leading plumbing, heating and electrical companies nationally, serving residential and commercial clients throughout South East England with almost three decades in the industry, we have worked to build a large, fully equipped team of over 150 members of staff – all focused on providing the best quality service to our customers. We work closely with various known housing associations, local councils as well as catering to the private sector such as schools, hotels, care homes and commercial building. Role Purpose: The Graduate Digital Systems, AI \& Programming Specialist will support the design, development and optimisation of the company’s digital systems, applications, reports, automations and AI-driven tools. The role will focus on practical business technology delivery, including building internal applications, improving reporting efficiency, integrating data across systems, developing automations and supporting the business’ wider digital transformation roadmap. This role is suited to a technically strong graduate with programming ability, advanced Excel capability, analytical thinking and a strong interest in AI, data, automation and business systems. The successful candidate must be able to turn operational problems into clear technical solutions that improve productivity, profitability, compliance and visibility across the business. Key Responsibilities: Application Development \& Internal Tools * Assist with the design, build and testing of internal business applications, portals and digital tools to support operational teams, engineers, subcontractors and management. * Develop practical prototypes, minimum viable products (MVPs) and proof-of-concept solutions for business use cases such as engineer diagnostics, stock visibility, equipment tracking, certificate checks and productivity reporting. * Support the back-end logic and data flows required for applications, including database structures, API calls, authentication workflows, data validation and error handling. * Work with the Graduate IT Project Manager / Systems Coordinator and any third-party developers to ensure applications are built in line with business requirements, security expectations and user feedback. Reporting, Excel Automation \& Management Information * Create, improve and automate high-quality operational reports for management, including productivity, profitability, stock usage, engineer performance, subcontractor performance, SLA performance and exception reporting. * Use advanced Excel skills to build and maintain robust spreadsheets, including complex formulas, PivotTables, Power Query, Power Pivot, data validation, lookups, macros/VBA and structured reporting templates. * Convert manual trackers and repetitive reporting processes into automated or semi-automated workflows that reduce administrative time, human error and duplicated data entry. * Build dashboards and visualisations using appropriate BI/reporting tools, ensuring reports are accurate, reconciled, easy to understand and suitable for senior management decision-making. Data, Systems Integration \& Universal Adaptor Support * Support the integration of the comany's systems through APIs, webhooks, data imports/exports and the Universal Adaptor / integration layer. * Assist with data mapping, field matching, transformation rules, testing scripts, exception handling and reconciliation between systems. * Support integration between core business systems such as CRM platforms, scheduling systems, tracking/telematics, HR systems, H\&S platforms, document management tools and renewables applications. * Maintain clear technical documentation covering data flows, integration mappings, system logic, error-handling processes and change history. AI, Automation \& Innovation * Research, prototype and support practical AI and automation use cases that are suitable for the comapny's operational environment. * Assist with AI-supported projects such as certificate auditing, call-triage concepts, stock-loss detection, anomaly detection, automated reporting and knowledge search tools. * Use approved tools and safe development practices when testing AI models, automation workflows and data-driven solutions, ensuring GDPR, confidentiality and information security requirements are followed. * Identify opportunities to improve productivity, reduce manual processing and increase accuracy through scripting, workflow automation, AI-assisted review and data analytics. Stock, Asset \& Operational Systems Projects * Support the development of digital solutions to track engineer-issued stock, van stock, equipment, PDAs, laptops and other company assets. * Assist with systems that improve accountability for issued parts and equipment, including issue, transfer, return, damage, fault and reconciliation workflows. * Support future supplier/merchant integration projects to check stock availability, compare pricing and reduce delays or purchase order errors. * Provide data analysis to identify stock leakage, over-ordering, missing assets, process gaps and operational inefficiencies. SaaS Platform \& Systems Support * Provide technical and analytical support across the business systems, including platforms such as BigChange, DocuWare, Freshdesk, Employment Hero, telephony systems and other operational tools. * Assist with configuration, data exports/imports, user testing, system enhancements, troubleshooting and performance monitoring. * Work with the IT Project Manager / Systems Coordinator to ensure changes are properly tested, documented and communicated before rollout. * Support internal users with technical queries where appropriate and escalate issues to vendors, the MSP or developers with clear replication steps and evidence. Security, GDPR, ISO 27001 \& Documentation * Follow the company's information security, data protection and confidentiality requirements when handling business data, personal data, system access and technical documentation. * Support ISO 27001 audit readiness by maintaining technical evidence, access reports, change logs, data-flow documentation, configuration records and control evidence where required. * Ensure code, reports, dashboards, automations and system changes are documented clearly and can be reviewed, handed over and audited. * Contribute to SOPs, runbooks, technical guides, user guidance and training material for new tools and digital processes. Skills \& Qualifications: * Graduate in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, Mathematics, Engineering or a related technical discipline. * Strong programming capability in one or more languages such as Python, JavaScript, Node.js, SQL, VBA or similar. * Advanced Excel knowledge is essential, including complex formulas, PivotTables, Power Query, data modelling, dashboards and automation/macros. * Good understanding of databases, data structures, APIs, web applications and system integration concepts. * Ability to analyse business problems, define technical requirements and produce practical solutions. * Strong documentation skills and the ability to explain technical information clearly to non-technical colleagues. * Good attention to detail, testing discipline and commitment to data accuracy and quality assurance. Desirable: * Experience building web applications, internal tools, dashboards or workflow automations as part of a university project, internship, placement or personal portfolio. * Exposure to AI/ML, natural language processing, OCR, data analytics, automation tools or business intelligence platforms. * Experience with Power Automate, Google Apps Script, VBA, Power BI, Looker Studio, Flask, , Node.js, Git, Azure or similar technologies. * Awareness of UK GDPR, cyber security principles, ISO 27001, secure coding and data governance. Personal Attributes: * Technically curious, innovative and keen to build practical business solutions. * Highly analytical with strong problem-solving ability and attention to detail. * Proactive, self-motivated and able to manage assigned tasks through to completion. * Comfortable working with non-technical stakeholders and translating business needs into technical outputs. * Organised, reliable and able to work in a fast-moving SME environment. * Values confidentiality, data integrity, cyber security and professional conduct. Success Measures: * Delivery of reliable reports, dashboards and automations that reduce manual workload and improve management visibility. * Successful development or support of internal applications, prototypes and digital tools aligned to the company's project roadmap. * Improved data quality, reporting accuracy and system documentation across key business areas. * Clear evidence of collaboration with internal teams, vendors, developers and the Graduate IT Project Manager / Systems Coordinator. * Positive feedback from operational teams and senior management on usefulness, accuracy and reliability of digital solutions. * Compliance with the business' data protection, cyber security and confidentiality expectations.