At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects from concept to delivery, ensuring high-quality outputs.
- Company: Join Novocastrian, a creative leader in furniture design based in Washington, UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy early Friday finishes, private healthcare, and profit-sharing after two years.
- Other info: Mentor junior designers and thrive in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make your mark in the design world with innovative projects and a supportive team.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in furniture design, strong skills in Fusion 360, AutoCAD, and more.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Novocastrian is looking for a senior product designer to join its team in Washington, UK.
Location: Unit 5-6, Armstrong Road, Washington NE37 1PR
Contract: full‑time
Hours: 40 hours per week; 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Thursday and 8:00am to 2:30pm Friday
Salary: competitive, depending on experience
Role overview
As a senior product designer, you will lead projects from sale through design and delivery, managing a significant portion of the company’s projects while maintaining target profit margins. You will effectively manage accounts to ensure a steady flow of work and actively lead and contribute to wider office, studio and workshop improvements. Additionally, you will be tasked with developing new products and bringing them to market under guidance from the creative director.
Key responsibilities
- Design and technical execution: demonstrate a creative and original approach to design, delivering high-quality outputs across multiple types of projects; design within Novocastrian’s company ethos, with a clear understanding of the differing needs of private and commercial clients; guide design direction and create the visuals required to convey design intent; manage the risk of using known processes versus new processes; work up designs from initial concept to full production drawings; manage jobs through the manufacturing process, working closely with our team of makers and external suppliers; monitor projects through the workshop to ensure manufacturing success; produce O&M manuals and final handover documentation to successfully close out projects.
- Project and commercial management: manage designated project types from start to finish, including Novocastrian products, Special Projects, Bespoke work and Architectural Metalwork; ensure project budgets are met and flag any intended spend that exceeds the quoted allowance by over 5%; assist in job quoting when required; ensure strict compliance with our Standard Operating Procedures and our ISO9001 management system; monitor in-house resource burn and project profitability.
- Client management: support the directors in key client presentations, taking a lead role when asked; manage the client and gain approvals when required, keeping them informed of project particulars at all times.
- Team leadership: manage, mentor and train others when required, specifically acting as a mentor to junior team members; lead by example in instilling a positive attitude and help enforce studio protocol.
Requirements and experience
Essential:
- eight‑plus years’ direct industry experience
- extensive experience in furniture design
- excellent concept design and technical drawing skills
- high proficiency in Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Photoshop and InDesign
- deep understanding of manufacturing techniques and technologies
- a thorough knowledge of suppliers, materials and capabilities, with a drive to seek out new suppliers and processes to innovate
- demonstrable experience successfully delivering multiple projects from initial concept through to final handover
- a proactive and positive attitude, with the ability to be strong yet fair to all team members
- must have an existing right to work in the UK
- must have a car and be able to commute to Washington, Tyne & Wear
- must be able to start within four weeks of a job offer
Preferable:
- experience in luxury furniture design and lighting
- metalworking knowledge
Benefits:
- early Friday finish
- private healthcare after two years
- enrollment in our quarterly profit share scheme
Senior product designer in Washington employer: Critical Playground LLC
At Novocastrian, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. As a Senior Product Designer in Washington, UK, you will benefit from competitive salary packages, private healthcare after two years, and the opportunity to participate in our quarterly profit share scheme. With a strong emphasis on professional growth and mentorship, you will lead exciting projects while contributing to a dynamic team dedicated to delivering high-quality design solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior product designer in Washington
✨Join Product Management Meetups
Get involved in local product management meetups or workshops. These events are perfect for meeting industry folks, sharing ideas, and staying updated on trends. Plus, you never know who might be hiring—it's a fantastic way to make connections that could lead to a job at places like Critical Playground LLC!
✨Show Off Your Product Sense
Create case studies or mini-projects showcasing your product management skills, and share them on platforms like Medium or LinkedIn. This not only puts your skills on display but also boosts your visibility in the product community. Imagine how impressed the hiring team at Critical Playground LLC would be by your initiative!
✨Utilise Online Communities
Dive into online product management communities like Product Coalition or Mind the Product. Engage in discussions, ask questions, and share your insights. These platforms are goldmines for networking and finding hidden job opportunities—many companies often scout talent from within these circles.
✨Leverage Your University Network
If you’ve recently graduated or are still in uni, tap into your alumni network for connections in product management. Many universities have their own job boards and affinity resources to help graduates land roles. Don't forget to keep an eye out for job openings at Critical Playground LLC through your school's career services!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior product designer in Washington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Product Passion:When applying for a product management role like Senior product designer, let your passion for developing products shine through in your cover letter. Share specific examples of products you've managed, how you solved user needs, and any successful outcomes you've achieved. This is your chance to showcase your understanding of the product lifecycle!
Highlight Your Cross-Functional Skills:Product management isn't just about understanding the product; it’s about collaborating with different teams! Make sure to emphasise your experience working with developers, designers, and marketers. Use your CV to showcase your ability to bridge gaps between these areas, and include relevant experiences that demonstrate your communication and leadership skills!
Include Your Metrics and Achievements:In a full-time product management application, data speaks volumes! Quantify your achievements wherever possible. Did you increase user retention by a certain percentage? Launch a product ahead of schedule? Include these metrics in your CV to paint a picture of your impact and effectiveness in previous roles.
Tailor Your CV to the Role:Make sure your CV is tailored for the Senior product designer position at Critical Playground LLC. Use keywords from the job description and ensure your relevant experiences are front and centre. Highlight any certifications or relevant training you’ve completed that will make you stand out as a strong candidate for the role. And remember, we’re excited to see your application on our website!
How to prepare for a job interview at Critical Playground LLC
✨Understand the Product Life Cycle
As a product management candidate, we need to get our head around the complete product life cycle. Be prepared to discuss real-world examples of how you’ve managed product development from ideation to launch. Bring specific insights on tools like JIRA or Trello that can help streamline these processes.
✨Showcase Your Cross-Functional Skills
Product management is all about collaboration. We should be ready to highlight how we’ve worked across teams—think marketing, engineering, and design. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you had to mediate differing opinions and how you got everyone on board with a shared vision.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
In a full-time role, we can expect to encounter case study questions during our interviews. Practise solving hypothetical product problems on the spot, such as prioritising features for a new app or improving user engagement metrics. This will show our analytical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Know Your Metrics
Let’s face it, numbers are our best friends in product management. We should prepare to discuss key performance indicators (KPIs) and how we've used analytics to inform product decisions. Dive into examples where data has driven our strategy for improvements or justified product changes.
