At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic design team and oversee kitchen design projects from start to finish.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing business in the housebuilding and social housing sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £40,000 plus performance-based bonuses.
- Other info: Office-based role with a focus on continuous improvement and team development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of kitchen design while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen design and team management is essential.
Location: Barton-upon-Humber
Salary: Up to £40,000 + performance-based bonus
Hours of Work: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Contract Type: Permanent
The Role: We are currently recruiting for a Contract Design Manager to join a rapidly growing business operating within the housebuilding, developer, and social housing sectors. This is a fully office-based position, offering the opportunity to lead a large and expanding design function from the company's headquarters in Barton-upon-Humber.
As the Contract Design Manager, you will hold overall responsibility for the performance, quality, and operational efficiency of the Contract Planning department. Managing a team of 3 Team Leaders and overseeing a wider department of approximately 26 employees, you will be responsible for ensuring workloads are effectively distributed, performance targets are achieved, and team development is supported.
The role will involve monitoring departmental KPIs, reviewing performance metrics, and driving continuous improvement initiatives across systems, processes, and design standards. You will act as the senior escalation point for complex design, technical, and commercial issues, ensuring projects are delivered accurately, on time, and within budget.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders across Sales, Production, Project Control, and Site teams to ensure seamless project delivery. In addition, you will oversee the quality and compliance of kitchen designs, estimates, and design approval packs, ensuring all work aligns with company standards, customer requirements, and relevant regulations. This is a key leadership role that will play a significant part in shaping the future growth and success of the department.
Experience / Skills Required:
- Previous experience within kitchen design
- Management experience with responsibility for leading teams and developing team leaders
- Strong understanding of kitchen planning, design processes, and estimating
- Ability to read and interpret architectural and kitchen drawings
- Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and project requirements
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
- Experience with kitchen design software is advantageous but not essential
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Experience driving process improvements and operational efficiencies
- A proactive leadership style with a focus on continuous improvement and team development
- A minimum of 3-5 years of experience is required for this role
TO APPLY - Please click APPLY NOW!
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected.
Locations
Contract Kitchen Designer Manager in Lincoln, Lincolnshire employer: JDR Recruitment
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing company in Barton-upon-Humber as a Contract Kitchen Designer Manager, where you will lead a talented team in a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a focus on employee development and continuous improvement, this role offers competitive salary packages, performance-based bonuses, and the chance to shape the future of kitchen design within the housebuilding sector. Experience a collaborative culture that values innovation and teamwork, making it an excellent place for meaningful career growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contract Kitchen Designer Manager in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from JDR Recruitment who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Contract Kitchen Designer Manager in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at JDR Recruitment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to JDR Recruitment. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at JDR Recruitment
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at JDR Recruitment.
