Why Choose a Career in the Building Industry?
The Benefits of a Career in the Trades:
Job Security – The construction and building supply industry is always in demand. Homes, businesses, and infrastructure will always need skilled professionals.
Earn While You Learn – Many roles don’t require a degree, and you can gain hands-on experience while getting paid.
Growth Opportunities – Start in entry-level positions and work your way up into specialized roles like Estimating, Contractor Sales, or Millwork.
Work That Matters – Every project you help with—whether it’s a new home, a business renovation, or a DIY build—has a lasting impact on the community.
A Career, Not Just a Job – At Cowls, we invest in our employees’ futures. Many of our team members have built lifelong careers here.
Is the Building Supply Industry Right for You?
You might be a great fit if you:
✔️ Like working with your hands and solving problems.
✔️ Enjoy helping people find solutions for their projects.
✔️ Want a job with variety, where every day is different.
✔️ Are interested in construction, home improvement, or design.
Employee Fulltime Benefits
At Cowls Companies, we value our team and offer a competitive benefits package to support your health, financial security, and well-being.
Health & Wellness
- Medical Insurance (Health New England HMO) – We cover 50% of the cost of your Company Health Insurance Policy. Additionally, we provide a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to cover most of the deductible for your company plan.
- Dental Insurance (Blue Cross Blue Shield) – Preventive care covered at 100%, plus HRA assistance for additional services.
- Vision Insurance (Blue 20/20) – Includes allowances for lenses, frames, and contacts.
- Short-Term Disability & Life Insurance – 100% employer-paid coverage for income protection and financial security.
Financial & Retirement Benefits
- 401(k) Retirement Plan – Employer match of $0.50 per $1 deferred, up to 20% of compensation.
- Additional Voluntary Coverage – Long-term disability and life insurance options for employees and their families.
Additional Perks
- Employee Discount – Special pricing with a deep discount at Cowls Building Supply and The Mill District General Store.
- Career Growth – Opportunities in management, customer service, kitchen & bath design, estimating, and more.
- P.T.O. – We offer a generous amount of Paid Time off which starts accruing on the day you’re hired and can be rolled over year to year.
Most benefits require a 60-day waiting period, except for 401(k) and P.T.O. Plan details may change annually.
Learn about Career Paths - Retail Building Materials
Yard Associate
Enjoy working outdoors and staying active? As a Yard Associate at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll be at the heart of our operations—helping load and organize materials, assisting customers, and keeping our yard running smoothly. This role is perfect for someone who likes physical work, takes pride in keeping things organized, and wants to gain valuable experience in the building supply industry. Whether you’re looking for a solid career path or a stepping stone into the trades, this is a great place to start!
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Someone who enjoys staying active and working outdoors in all seasons.
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A team player who takes pride in keeping things running smoothly.
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Comfortable lifting, moving, and organizing building materials safely.
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Interested in construction, logistics, or hands-on work with room to grow.
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Reliable, detail-oriented, and ready to learn about the building supply industry.
Fulltime - Sales Associate
Looking for a hands-on career where you can help people bring their projects to life? As a Sales Associate at Cowls Building Supply, you won’t just sell products—you’ll be a trusted resource for contractors, homeowners, and DIYers tackling everything from home renovations to large-scale builds. If you enjoy problem-solving, working with people, and learning about building materials, this role is a great entry into the trades. Whether you’re passionate about construction, customer service, or both, this position sets you up with valuable industry knowledge and career growth opportunities in a field that will always be in demand. Join us and be part of something built to last!
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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A people person who enjoys helping customers find the right solutions.
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Interested in construction, home improvement, or DIY projects—whether professionally or as a hobby.
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A problem solver who likes learning about products and offering recommendations.
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Comfortable in a fast-paced, hands-on environment where no two days are the same.
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Looking for a stable, rewarding career with opportunities to grow in the building supply industry
Contractor Sales - In Person or Work from Home
Are you a knowledgeable sales professional with a passion for the building industry? As a Contractor Sales Representative at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll work closely with builders, contractors, and project managers—helping them find the right materials for their jobs. Whether you’re in-office, remote, or visiting job sites, you’ll play a key role in supporting construction projects from start to finish. If you enjoy problem-solving, relationship-building, and working in a fast-paced environment, this is the perfect opportunity to grow your career in the trades.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Experienced in building materials, construction, or contractor sales.
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A relationship-builder who enjoys working directly with contractors.
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Comfortable traveling to job sites or working remotely to provide quotes and solutions.
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A detail-oriented problem solver who can quickly assess project needs.
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Looking for a career with long-term growth in the building supply industry.
Specialty: Paint Department
Do you have an eye for color and enjoy helping people bring their projects to life? As a Paint Center Specialist at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll assist customers in selecting the perfect paint, stains, and finishes for their homes and businesses. This role is perfect for someone who loves color theory, enjoys hands-on work, and wants to build expertise in a specialized field within the building industry. Whether you’re an experienced paint professional or looking to learn, this is a great opportunity to grow in a high-demand trade.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Someone who enjoys working with color and finishes.
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A customer-focused problem solver who can help find the right product for any job.
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Excited to learn about paint technology, application techniques, and color matching.
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Detail-oriented with a strong sense of aesthetics and design.
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Looking for a stable career in a specialized, in-demand field.
Specialty: Millwork Specialist
Love working with high-quality materials and helping customers bring their projects to life? As a Millwork Specialist at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll assist contractors and homeowners in selecting the perfect doors, windows, and trim to complete their builds. This role is ideal for someone who enjoys attention to detail, problem-solving, and working with custom solutions. Whether you have experience in millwork or are eager to learn, this is a fantastic opportunity to build a lasting career in the trades.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Detail-oriented and enjoy precision work with custom materials.
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Someone who likes problem-solving and helping customers find the right fit.
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Interested in architecture, carpentry, or home design.
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Excited to learn about doors, windows, trim, and installation solutions.
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Looking for a career with long-term growth in the building industry.
Specialty: Kitchen & Bath
Kitchen & Bath Designer – Transform Spaces, Inspire Customers
Are you passionate about design and love bringing ideas to life? As a Kitchen & Bath Designer at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll work closely with homeowners and contractors to create functional and stylish spaces that fit their vision. This is a great opportunity for someone with a keen eye for design, strong problem-solving skills, and an interest in home improvement. Whether you’re an experienced designer or looking to grow in the field, this role offers creativity, customer interaction, and career growth.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Passionate about interior design and space planning.
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A creative problem solver who loves turning ideas into reality.
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Comfortable working with homeowners, contractors, and vendors.
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Detail-oriented with an eye for aesthetics and functionality.
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Excited about learning or expanding your expertise in kitchen and bath design.
Purchasing Specialist
Are you highly organized and passionate about sourcing the best materials for the job? As a Purchasing Specialist at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll ensure we have the right building materials and hardware in stock to keep projects on track. This role is perfect for someone who enjoys supplier relationships, inventory management, and keeping an eye on market trends.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Detail-oriented with strong organizational and negotiation skills.
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Experienced or interested in building materials, logistics, or supply chain management.
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A problem solver who ensures products are available when needed.
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Comfortable analyzing costs, vendor options, and market trends.
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Looking for a critical behind-the-scenes role in the building supply industry.
Marketing Specialist
Are you creative, strategic, and passionate about the building industry? As a Marketing Specialist at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll develop campaigns, create engaging content, and connect with customers through digital and in-person strategies. Whether it’s social media, event planning, or community engagement, you’ll help position our brand as the go-to resource for building materials and home improvement.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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A creative thinker who loves storytelling and brand building.
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Skilled in social media, content creation, and marketing strategy.
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Interested in the construction, retail, or home improvement industry.
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A strong communicator who can engage both contractors and homeowners.
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Looking for a dynamic role where you can make an impact on a growing business.
Estimating
Do you have a keen eye for detail and a passion for construction? As an Estimator at Cowls Building Supply, you’ll analyze blueprints, perform material take-offs, and provide accurate quotes for contractors and homeowners. Whether working on-site or remotely, you’ll play a crucial role in ensuring projects stay on budget and on schedule. This position is perfect for someone who enjoys numbers, planning, and seeing projects come to life.
You’d Be Great for This Role If You Are…
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Skilled at reading blueprints and performing material take-offs.
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Detail-oriented and meticulous with numbers and calculations.
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A problem solver who enjoys helping contractors plan and budget their projects.
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Comfortable working independently with strong time management skills.
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Looking for a stable, rewarding career in the building supply and construction industry.