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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative design projects in Cookshop, Cookware, and Cleaning & Organisation categories.
- Company: Join Joseph Joseph, a top houseware brand transforming everyday living.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, bonuses, hybrid working, and exclusive staff discounts.
- Why this job: Make a real impact with your design skills in a creative environment.
- Qualifications: Degree in design or engineering, plus experience in product development and team management.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities and a supportive, collaborative culture.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Join to apply for the Design Manager - Category Lead role at Joseph Joseph Ltd. At Joseph Joseph, we are driven by a simple and powerful belief â that intelligent design has the ability to transform everyday living. We create distinctive, thoughtfully engineered products that not only solve realâworld 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 houseâware brands, with a presence in over 100 countries and partnerships with leading department stores, independent retailers, and a rapidly expanding eâcommerce business.
We are seeking a talented Design Manager â Category Lead to join our New Product Development team at Joseph Joseph. As the Category Lead, you will take endâtoâend 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 crossâfunctional partners to deliver marketâleading 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 roadâmaps in line with seasonal critical paths and commercial objectives and build inherent category value.
- Project delivery: accountable for multiple, fastâpaced complex projects launching into a global marketplace; resolve design details and drive development forward, ensuring onâtime launches against tight timelines.
- Liaise directly with packaging designers and manufacturing suppliers to manage prototypes, samples and quality checks.
- Team management & succession: lineâmanage the existing Cookshop & Cookware designer, providing coaching, feedback and performance management; mentor junior colleagues, fostering a collaborative and highâperformance culture.
- Crossâfunctional collaboration: work with inâhouse 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 postâlaunch, 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 categoryâleadership 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 stakeholderâmanagement 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 performanceârelated bonus
- A pension contribution
- An exclusive staff discount
- 24/7 healthcare appointment support
- Hybrid working â 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 carryâover scheme
- Seasonâticket travel loan
- Cycle to work scheme
- Parental Leave support
- Holiday trading (buy/sell) and extra holiday days for long service
Seniority level: MidâSenior level
Employment type: Temporary
Job function: Design, Art/Creative, and Information Technology
Industries: Design Services
Design Manager - Category Lead in London employer: Joseph Joseph Ltd
Contact Detail:
Joseph Joseph Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice đ¤Ť
We think this is how you could land Design Manager - Category Lead in London
â¨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the design industry, especially those at Joseph Joseph. A friendly chat can open doors that a CV just can't.
â¨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you get that interview, bring your best work along. Make sure it highlights your category leadership and innovative designs.
â¨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about how you've managed projects and teams in the past. Be ready to share specific examples that showcase your skills.
â¨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! Itâs the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager - Category Lead in London
Some tips for your application đŤĄ
Show Your Passion for Design: When you're writing your application, let your love for design shine through! Share specific examples of how you've transformed everyday products in your previous roles. We want to see that you understand the impact of intelligent design.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in category leadership and project delivery, as these are key aspects of the job. We appreciate when candidates take the time to align their skills with our needs!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We love a well-structured application that clearly outlines your achievements and skills relevant to the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! Itâs the best way for us to receive your details and ensures youâre considered for the role. Plus, it shows youâre keen on joining our team at Joseph Joseph!
How to prepare for a job interview at Joseph Joseph Ltd
â¨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.
â¨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Be ready to discuss specific projects you've managed from concept to manufacture. Highlight how you resolved design details and met tight deadlines. Use examples that illustrate your ability to deliver complex consumer goods successfully.
â¨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentorship
Prepare to talk about your experience in managing and mentoring design professionals. Share examples of how you've fostered a collaborative culture and supported team development. This will resonate well with their focus on team management and succession.
â¨Communicate Clearly and Confidently
Practice articulating your ideas clearly, especially when discussing technical aspects or design processes. Being able to present your thoughts effectively to senior teams is crucial, so consider doing mock interviews to refine your communication skills.
