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- Tasks: Lead design and engineering teams, ensuring smooth project delivery and effective communication.
- Company: KS Composites, a leader in high-performance composite manufacturing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, growth opportunities, and a collaborative work culture.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with potential for career advancement to senior leadership roles.
- Why this job: Join a cutting-edge company and make an impact on exciting projects across various industries.
- Qualifications: Experience in engineering or design leadership, strong communication skills, and team management abilities.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
At KS Composites, we are a leading independent manufacturer of high-performance composite and GRP products. Working across industries including Formula One, automotive, aerospace, marine, and rail, we deliver precision-engineered solutions to some of the most demanding environments in the world. Driven by innovation and a passion for solving complex challenges, we remain at the forefront of composites technology.
The Design Manager will act as the central communication point for the engineering and design function, ensuring clear alignment between departments and supporting the efficient delivery of projects. The role is responsible for prioritising workloads, managing team performance, and developing the capability of the engineering team within a fast-paced composites environment. This is a hands-on management role, suited to someone who can balance day-to-day delivery with people leadership and process improvement. The position is currently at manager level, with the opportunity to grow into a Head of Department role as the business expands.
Key Responsibilities- Act as the key interface between engineering, production, and wider business functions.
- Ensure clear, consistent communication of priorities, timelines, and project updates.
- Translate business needs into actionable engineering tasks.
- Lead regular team and cross-functional meetings.
- Plan and prioritise engineering and design activities across multiple projects.
- Allocate resources effectively to meet delivery deadlines.
- Monitor progress and adjust priorities where required.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks in workflow.
- Provide day-to-day leadership to the design and engineering team.
- Support individual development through coaching and mentoring.
- Identify skills gaps and implement training plans.
- Contribute to recruitment and onboarding activities.
- Develop and improve engineering processes and workflows.
- Drive efficiency and consistency across the department.
- Support the development of scalable systems as the team grows.
- Conduct regular 1:1s and formal performance reviews.
- Set clear objectives aligned with business priorities.
- Provide constructive feedback and support improvement.
- Manage performance issues where required.
- Ensure engineering outputs meet required quality and technical standards.
- Work closely with production to support design-for-manufacture.
- Provide guidance on technical challenges where needed.
- Department strategy and structure.
- Recruitment and succession planning.
- Budget ownership.
- Senior leadership contribution.
- Experience in an engineering or design leadership role (or ready to step into one).
- Eligibility to work in the UK, no sponsorship will be offered.
- Strong organisational and workload management skills.
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management ability.
- Experience conducting performance reviews and developing teams.
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, delivery-focused environment.
- Composites or manufacturing experience desirable.
- Hands-on and pragmatic approach.
- Strong communicator and natural coordinator.
- Proactive and solution-focused.
- Comfortable balancing structure with flexibility.
- Team-oriented with a focus on development.
Why Join KS Composites? You will be part of a business operating at the forefront of advanced composites, contributing to high-profile, technically challenging projects. We offer a collaborative, forward-thinking environment where your skills are valued and your impact is visible.
Design Manager employer: K.S. Composites Limited
Contact Detail:
K.S. Composites Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching KS Composites and understanding their projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate your passion for composites and how your skills can help tackle their challenges.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Design Manager, you'll need to convey ideas clearly. Try mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your pitch and get comfortable discussing your experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the KS Composites team.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Design Manager role. Highlight your experience in engineering or design leadership, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects you've worked on that align with our focus on composites technology.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for KS Composites. Mention your passion for innovation and how you can contribute to our mission of delivering precision-engineered solutions.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Design Manager, clear communication is key. In your application, demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively across teams. Share examples of how you've successfully managed stakeholder relationships in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at K.S. Composites Limited
✨Know Your Composites
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of composites and GRP products. Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in the industry, especially how they apply to sectors like automotive and aerospace. This will show that you're not just a manager but someone who understands the technical side of things.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to discuss your approach to team leadership and performance management. Think of specific examples where you've successfully led a team through challenges or improved processes. This is your chance to demonstrate how you can balance day-to-day delivery with people development.
✨Communication is Key
Since the role involves acting as a central communication point, be ready to talk about how you ensure clear communication across departments. Share examples of how you've facilitated cross-functional meetings or resolved misunderstandings in past roles.
✨Be Ready for Problem-Solving
Expect questions that assess your ability to identify and resolve bottlenecks in workflow. Prepare some scenarios where you've successfully navigated challenges in project delivery or team dynamics, showcasing your proactive and solution-focused mindset.