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- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects in Cookshop, Cookware, and Cleaning & Organisation categories.
- Company: Join Joseph Joseph, a top houseware brand transforming everyday living with intelligent design.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by driving product innovation and leading a creative team.
- Qualifications: Degree in design or engineering, with experience in product development and team management.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with excellent career growth and training opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
At Joseph Joseph, we are driven by a simple yet powerful belief — that intelligent design has the ability to transform everyday living. We create distinctive, thoughtfully engineered products that not only solve real-world problems but also bring joy, beauty, and functionality to daily life. Headquartered in London, we have grown into one of the world’s most admired houseware brands, with a presence in over 100 countries and partnerships with leading department stores, independent retailers, and a rapidly expanding e‑commerce business.
We are seeking a talented Design Manager – Category Lead to join our New Product Development team at Joseph Joseph. As the Category Lead, you will take end‑to‑end ownership of the Cookshop, Cookware and Cleaning & Organisation categories, reporting into our VP of Product Delivery and working closely with the Chief Creative Officer and cross‑functional partners to deliver market‑leading ranges on time and within budget.
What you will be doing:
- Category leadership: Set and execute the vision for Cookshop, Cookware and Cleaning & Organisation, identifying opportunities to innovate and grow each category. Develop and maintain category road‑maps in line with seasonal critical paths and commercial objectives and build inherent category value.
- Project delivery: Accountable for multiple, fast‑paced complex projects launching into a global marketplace. Resolve design details and drive development forward, ensuring on‑time launches against tight timelines. Liaise directly with packaging designers and manufacturing suppliers to manage prototypes, samples and quality checks.
- Team management & succession: Line‑manage the existing Cookshop & Cookware designer, providing coaching, feedback and performance management. Mentor junior colleagues, fostering a collaborative and high‑performance culture.
- Cross‑functional collaboration: Work with in‑house and external designers, engineers and commercial teams to align on requirements, budgets and margin targets. Assess technical development issues, define scope for resolution, communicate options, and drive issues to closure.
- Commercial stewardship: Ensure all projects remain within agreed budgets and product costs align with margin targets. Analyse category performance post‑launch, identifying learnings and improvements for future ranges.
What we need from you:
- An undergraduate (or master’s) degree in Industrial Design, Product Design, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Significant product development experience, with a proven track record of delivering complex consumer goods from concept to manufacture.
- Demonstrable category‑leadership skills: strategic thinking, roadmap planning and the ability to drive innovation.
- Experience managing, mentoring and developing design professionals, with the agility to support recruitment and handover processes.
- Strong stakeholder‑management and communication skills, able to present ideas clearly to senior teams.
- Sound understanding of manufacturing techniques and processes, ideally with factory experience in the Far East.
- Proficiency in design applications such as Adobe CS and SolidWorks.
- A creative, entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to challenge conventional thinking while keeping ideas commercial.
What you will get from us:
- Competitive salary and holiday allowance
- Company performance related bonus
- A pension contribution
- An exclusive staff discount
- 24/7 healthcare appointment support
- Hybrid working – 3 days in office & 2 days from home and flex start/finish times
- External private employee wellbeing support
- Access to Perkbox
- Volunteer days
- Team Recognition scheme
- Training and Development
- Holiday carry‑over scheme
- Season‑ticket travel loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Parental Leave support
- Holiday trading (buy/sell) and extra holiday days for long service
Design Manager - Category Lead in City of London employer: Joseph Joseph Ltd
Contact Detail:
Joseph Joseph Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Category Lead in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the design industry, especially those connected to Joseph Joseph. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about asking for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date and highlights your best work, especially projects that align with the Cookshop, Cookware, and Cleaning & Organisation categories. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, use your portfolio to demonstrate your design thinking and problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Joseph Joseph’s products and their design philosophy. Think about how your experience can contribute to their mission of transforming everyday living. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've led projects and driven innovation in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, tailor your application to highlight your category leadership skills and experience in managing design teams. Let’s make sure you stand out from the crowd!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Category Lead in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design: When you're writing your application, let your love for intelligent design shine through! Share examples of how you've transformed everyday products in your past roles and why you believe design matters.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in product development and category leadership, and don’t forget to mention any relevant projects that align with our vision at Joseph Joseph.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your achievements and skills, making it easy for us to see how you fit into our team and can contribute to our goals.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joseph Joseph Ltd
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the Cookshop, Cookware, and Cleaning & Organisation categories. Understand current trends, key competitors, and potential areas for innovation. This will not only show your passion but also demonstrate your strategic thinking skills.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed from concept to launch. Highlight how you resolved design challenges and met tight deadlines. Use examples that showcase your ability to deliver complex products while keeping within budget.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentorship
Prepare to talk about your experience in managing and mentoring design teams. Share examples of how you've fostered a collaborative culture and supported junior colleagues. This will illustrate your capability to lead and develop talent within the team.
✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your ideas clearly, especially when discussing technical aspects or design concepts. Being able to present your thoughts effectively to senior teams is crucial, so consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
