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- Tasks: Lead a design team in creating innovative retail equipment for shop fittings.
- Company: Join DudleyNuttall, a respected manufacturer known for quality and innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, profit share, enhanced pension, and generous holiday allowance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of retail design while fostering a collaborative and supportive culture.
- Qualifications: Experience in CAD design, particularly SolidWorks, and a background in retail interiors is essential.
- Other info: DudleyNuttall values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace.
Design Office Manager
Maximise your chances of a successful application to this job by ensuring your CV and skills are a good match.
Dudley
Nuttall is a well-established manufacturing company based in Dudley, renowned for delivering high-quality, innovative products across various sectors. We pride ourselves on a culture of continuous improvement, collaboration, and technical excellence. As we grow, we’re looking for a talented and motivated Design Office Manager to join our dynamic Design team and help shape the next generation of our manufacturing solutions.
The role will be to specialise in the design of retail equipment within Interior Shop Fit Outs. Knowledge of CAD Design, and familiar with using SolidWorks and having a background within retail shop fitting is paramount.
Why join us?
Salary: Up to £46,000 DOE
Annual tax-free profit share bonus (up to £3,600)
Enhanced 8% employer pension contribution
25 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 29 days
Life Assurance Scheme 3 X salary)
Enhanced Illness, Maternity, Paternity, and Bereavement leave
Wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme & Mental Health Champions
Partner Voice Groups to influence business decisions
Key Responsibilities and Tasks
As Design Manager, you will take the lead in managing and mentoring a small team of design engineers and CAD draughtspersons. You will be responsible for overseeing the creation of accurate, detailed technical drawings for a variety of components, including sheet metal, welded assemblies, joinery elements, acrylic, and glass. This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both strong technical capabilities and the ability to guide, develop, and coordinate the efforts of the design team to ensure timely and high-quality delivery.
The position is focused on the design of bespoke retail equipment used in interior shop fitting, and prior experience in this area is essential.
Team Leadership & Management
* Manage, mentor, and support a small team of design professionals.
* Allocate design tasks, oversee workflow and output, and conduct regular design reviews.
* Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development.
* Provide technical guidance and training to team members.
Design & Technical Delivery
* Produce, review, and approve detailed CAD drawings using SolidWorks.
* Ensure designs are optimised for manufacturability, value engineering, and cost-efficiency.
* Lead the development of production drawing packs, cutting lists, and material requisitions.
Project & Cross-Functional Collaboration
* Liaise with Production, Contracts, and Project Management teams to ensure alignment on technical requirements and timelines.
* Attend internal and client meetings to present concepts, resolve design queries, and gather specifications.
* Conduct site surveys as necessary to inform design solutions.
* Maintain up-to-date documentation, including part numbers, BOMs, and routings.
Design Office Manager – Quality, Innovation & Improvement
* Champion design quality and proactively identify opportunities for improvement.
* Flag potential design or production issues early and offer practical solutions.
* Contribute to process improvements and standardisation across the department.
Design Office Manager Person Specification / Essential Skills & Experience
* Proven experience in a senior CAD Design or Design Engineering role within a retail interiors, manufacturing, or shop fitting environment.
* Strong proficiency in SolidWorks (or equivalent 2D/3D CAD package).
* Excellent understanding of sheet metal, joinery, acrylic, glass, and fabrication processes.
* Ability to lead and motivate a team, while also managing your own workload.
* Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
* Good communication skills and confidence in representing the department internally and externally.
* Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.
Designing Office Manager Desirable
* Experience producing production-ready technical documentation and drawing packs.
* Exposure to ERP or PLM systems.
* Relevant engineering or product design qualification.
Nuttall is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our Partners.
Notes: We appreciate all applications, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Please note we are not working with recruitment agencies for this role.
We are unable to sponsor work visas, all applicants will need to have the right to work in the UK in place
Design Office Manager employer: DCA Recruitment
Contact Detail:
DCA Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Office Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in retail shop fitting and interior design. This knowledge will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for the industry and your commitment to staying updated.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the manufacturing and design sectors, especially those who have experience in retail interiors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to make connections that could lead to valuable insights or referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific projects where you've successfully led a design team or managed complex CAD tasks. Highlight your leadership skills and how you've contributed to improving design processes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Research DudleyNuttall's recent projects and innovations. Being able to reference their work during your discussions will show your genuine interest in the company and how you can contribute to their ongoing success.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Office Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your experience in CAD design and retail shop fitting. Emphasise your proficiency in SolidWorks and any relevant projects you've worked on that align with the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your leadership skills and experience managing design teams. Mention specific examples of how you've improved design processes or mentored team members in previous roles.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, clearly outline your technical skills related to sheet metal, joinery, and fabrication processes. This will demonstrate your suitability for the Design Office Manager position.
Showcase Your Communication Abilities: Since the role involves liaising with various teams, include examples of your communication skills. Describe situations where you successfully collaborated with other departments or presented design concepts to clients.
How to prepare for a job interview at DCA Recruitment
✨Showcase Your CAD Skills
Make sure to highlight your proficiency in SolidWorks and any other CAD software during the interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects where you used these tools, as this will demonstrate your technical capabilities and experience in producing detailed drawings.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Since the role involves managing a team, be ready to share examples of how you've successfully led and mentored others in previous positions. Discuss your approach to fostering collaboration and accountability within a team setting.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions related to design processes, materials, and manufacturing techniques relevant to retail interiors. Brush up on your knowledge of sheet metal, joinery, and fabrication processes to confidently answer any technical queries.
✨Emphasise Problem-Solving Skills
Be prepared to discuss how you've identified and resolved design or production issues in the past. Highlight your proactive approach to improving processes and ensuring high-quality outcomes, as this aligns with the company's focus on quality and innovation.
