At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a talented team to create stunning, bespoke furniture designs for high-end projects.
- Company: Join a top-rated company known for innovative bedroom and bathroom furniture in London.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, bonus potential, 23 days holiday, and a pension plan.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative environment that values design innovation and operational excellence.
- 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 42000 - 58000 £ per year.
Renowned for delivering contemporary, made-to-measure bedroom and bathroom furniture, this company has earned a strong reputation among Londons 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, youll 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 to:
- 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 from the Design Manager:
- 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 Hfele 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.
JBRP1_UKTJ
Design Manager employer: Careers in design
Contact Detail:
Careers in design Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice š¤«
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
āØTip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in bespoke furniture design and manufacturing. This will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the industry and your ability to innovate.
āØTip Number 2
Network with professionals in the furniture design and manufacturing sector. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights or even referrals to opportunities at companies like ours.
āØTip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully translated client briefs into manufacturable designs. Highlight your problem-solving skills and how you've collaborated with teams to ensure timely delivery of projects.
āØTip Number 4
Brush up on your technical skills, especially in AutoCAD and CNC programming. Being able to showcase your proficiency in these areas will set you apart from other candidates and show that you're ready to hit the ground running.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application š«”
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 has contributed to previous projects. Mention your familiarity with materials and manufacturing methods, as well as any experience with CNC programming and Cabinet Vision.
Showcase Relevant Skills: When detailing your skills, emphasise your problem-solving abilities and strong communication skills. Highlight your experience collaborating with teams, such as purchasing and sales, to ensure the successful delivery of projects.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience with NPD initiatives and how you optimise project briefs. Be ready to discuss specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver accurate and commercially sound tender and production drawings.
How to prepare for a job interview at Careers in design
āØShowcase Your Design Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your experience with AutoCAD and how you've successfully translated architectural drawings into production-ready designs. Bring examples of your previous work that highlight your technical skills and creativity.
āØUnderstand the Companyās Products
Familiarise yourself with the companyās range of furniture and their unique selling points. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge during the interview and show that you're genuinely interested in their products.
āØEmphasise Collaboration Skills
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be ready to share examples of how you've effectively collaborated with purchasing, sales, and manufacturing teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and ability to interpret project briefs.
āØPrepare for Problem-Solving Scenarios
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think of specific challenges you've faced in design or manufacturing processes and how you overcame them. This will showcase your hands-on approach and critical thinking skills.