Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team to create stunning, bespoke furniture designs.
- Company: Join a top-rated company known for premium bedroom and bathroom furniture in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, 23 days holiday, and pension.
- Why this job: Be part of an innovative culture that values design excellence and operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in AutoCAD design with a strong grasp of furniture construction and materials.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence product development and work closely with industry leaders.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Renowned for delivering contemporary, made-to-measure bedroom and bathroom furniture, this company has earned a strong reputation among London’s leading property developers. Operating from a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, the business combines design innovation with practical buildability to deliver premium furniture for high-spec residential developments.
As Design Manager, you’ll take ownership of a small but highly skilled team, responsible for translating developer briefs into commercially viable, manufacturable furniture designs. This role is pivotal to ensuring the seamless flow between design, manufacturing, and site delivery while also contributing to product innovation and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities include:
- Ensure timely delivery of accurate and commercially sound tender and production drawings
- Collaborate with the purchasing team to ensure correct material and hardware specification
- Work closely with estimators, sales teams, and clients to interpret and optimise project briefs
- Create CNC programs for in-house manufacture using CAD-based software
- Support NPD (new product development) initiatives based on client and market needs
- Report design team KPIs to the Operations Manager and contribute to performance reviews
Skills and Experience needed:
- 7+ years’ experience in technical AutoCAD design for fitted or bespoke furniture
- Expertise in interpreting architectural drawings and producing production-ready technical details
- Solid understanding of materials, furniture construction and manufacturing methods
- Familiarity with hardware and fittings from suppliers such as Häfele or Hettich
- Hands-on approach, strong problem-solving skills and confident team communicator
- Cabinet Vision, CNC programming and cut list generation would be an advantage
In return, the salary is c£50k plus discretionary company performance related bonus, 23 days holiday accruing each year and pension.
Design Manager employer: Careers in design
Contact Detail:
Careers in design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in bespoke furniture design and manufacturing. This will not only help you understand the market better but also allow you to speak confidently about how your skills align with the company's innovative approach.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the industry, especially those who have experience with high-spec residential developments. Attend relevant events or join online forums to connect with potential colleagues and gain insights into the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your AutoCAD skills and ensure you're comfortable with creating production-ready technical details. Consider taking a short course or workshop if you feel you need a refresher before applying.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've successfully managed design projects in the past. Highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with various teams, as these are crucial for the Design Manager role.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your 7+ years of experience in technical AutoCAD design, focusing on fitted or bespoke furniture. Include specific examples of projects where you've interpreted architectural drawings and produced production-ready technical details.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for design innovation and how your hands-on approach and problem-solving skills make you a perfect fit for the Design Manager role. Mention your familiarity with materials and hardware from suppliers like Häfele or Hettich.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight your expertise in CNC programming and cut list generation if applicable. Discuss any experience you have with new product development initiatives and how you've contributed to operational efficiency in previous roles.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread your documents to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a Design Manager.
How to prepare for a job interview at Careers in design
✨Showcase Your Design Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with AutoCAD and how you've successfully translated architectural drawings into production-ready designs. Highlight specific projects where your design skills made a significant impact.
✨Demonstrate Team Leadership
As a Design Manager, you'll be leading a small team. Share examples of how you've effectively managed teams in the past, focusing on collaboration and communication to achieve project goals.
✨Understand the Manufacturing Process
Familiarise yourself with the company's manufacturing methods and materials. Be ready to discuss how your knowledge can contribute to operational efficiency and product innovation.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions about CNC programming and cut list generation. Brush up on these topics and be ready to explain how you would approach creating CNC programs using CAD-based software.
