Lead Industrial Designer
Lead Industrial Designer

Lead Industrial Designer

Full-Time 70000 £ / year No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead innovative design projects and shape product direction from the start.
  • Company: Established product business with a focus on strategic design.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for purposeful travel.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in design and collaborate with international suppliers.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in industrial design and ability to manage multiple projects.
  • Other info: Join a dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and visibility.

Shape category direction where design decisions matter early. As a Lead Industrial Designer based in Staffordshire (hybrid, two days on site), you’ll steer multi-project direction, influence early commitments, and partner with international suppliers.

Scope of the Role

  • The Lead Industrial Designer sets and steers industrial design across several programmes, operating strategically and hands-on to align decisions before development begins.
  • Lead early-stage design across multiple projects with clear creative direction.
  • Frame problems at category level, not just respond to briefs.
  • Translate insight and strategy into product intent and principles.
  • Redirect concepts, make trade-offs explicit, keep momentum.
  • Work with engineering and suppliers to ground intent in reality.

Key Skills and Experience Required

  • Proven Lead Industrial Designer, Senior Industrial Designer, or Principal Industrial Designer delivering physical consumer products.
  • Ability to lead and redirect multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Experience in manufacturing-led environments with supplier collaboration.
  • Senior stakeholder influence, judgement in ambiguity, and hands-on capability.
  • Portfolio showing decisions, process leadership, and outcomes.

Salary and Benefits

  • £65,000 – £70,000 basic salary, depending on experience.
  • Hybrid working: minimum two days per week on site in Tamworth.
  • UK and international travel, including occasional 1–2 week trips.

Influence early decisions and shape how industrial design operates. You’ll join a large, established product business in a live change environment where processes are being refined and design is becoming a trusted strategic input. Expect senior visibility, cross-functional collaboration, and the chance for a Lead Industrial Designer to build clarity, reduce late changes, and strengthen product direction.

How to Apply

Want to find out more? Click the apply button and we’ll be in touch.

Lead Industrial Designer employer: Kodu

As a Lead Industrial Designer at our Staffordshire location, you will thrive in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values your expertise and creativity. With a competitive salary of £65,000–£70,000, hybrid working options, and opportunities for purposeful travel, we prioritise employee growth and engagement while fostering a culture of innovation and strategic influence. Join us to shape the future of industrial design and make impactful decisions that drive our product direction.
K

Contact Detail:

Kodu Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Lead Industrial Designer

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend design meetups. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Lead Industrial Designer role.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your portfolio! Make sure it highlights your best work and the decisions you made along the way. We want to see how you’ve influenced projects and shaped outcomes, so don’t hold back!

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare for interviews by practising your storytelling skills. We need to hear about your experiences in leading projects and collaborating with suppliers. Make it engaging and relatable – we want to see the real you!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to get your application noticed. We’re excited to see how you can shape our design direction, so don’t hesitate to hit that apply button!

We think you need these skills to ace Lead Industrial Designer

Industrial Design
Project Management
Stakeholder Influence
Supplier Collaboration
Creative Direction
Problem Framing
Process Leadership
Manufacturing Knowledge
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Judgement in Ambiguity
Hands-on Capability
Portfolio Development
Strategic Thinking
Product Development

Some tips for your application 🫡

Showcase Your Portfolio: Make sure to include a strong portfolio that highlights your design decisions and process leadership. We want to see how you've influenced projects and the outcomes you've achieved, so pick your best work!

Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key skills and experience mentioned in the job description. We love seeing how you align with our needs and values.

Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure your ideas come across without any fluff!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and get back to you quickly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Kodu

✨Know Your Portfolio Inside Out

Make sure you can discuss your portfolio in detail. Highlight specific projects where you led the design process, made key decisions, and collaborated with suppliers. This will show your hands-on capability and strategic thinking.

✨Understand the Company’s Design Philosophy

Research the company’s approach to industrial design and their recent projects. Be ready to discuss how your design principles align with theirs and how you can contribute to shaping their category direction.

✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions

Expect questions that assess your ability to handle ambiguity and redirect projects. Think of examples where you’ve successfully navigated challenges and influenced stakeholders, demonstrating your judgement and leadership skills.

✨Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit

Since the role involves working with engineering teams and international suppliers, be prepared to discuss your experience in cross-functional collaboration. Share examples of how you’ve built strong relationships and kept momentum in projects.

Lead Industrial Designer
Kodu

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