At a Glance
- Tasks: Design beautiful, functional kitchens through customer collaboration and creative sketches.
- Company: Join Neptune, a design-driven company with a passion for craftsmanship.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holiday allowance, discounts, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible hours, ongoing training, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping customers create their dream homes.
- Qualifications: Design qualification, kitchen design experience, and AutoCAD skills required.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ per year.
At Neptune, thoughtful design sits at the very heart of what we do. Every home we help shape begins with a conversation, a collaboration, and a shared ambition to create something beautifully considered. Our Designers play a vital role in bringing those moments to life - translating ideas, needs and dreams into beautiful but functional kitchens and other rooms in the house, that are uniquely personal.
We're now looking for a Kitchen Designer to join our York store who is as passionate about people as they are about kitchen and home interior design, and who finds joy in the detail, the craft, and the journey from first sketch to final installation.
What You'll Be Doing:
- Welcome customers, listen carefully to their needs, and shape clear design briefs.
- Through in-store consultations and home visits, build a deep understanding of their lifestyle and aspirations before creating sketches, mood boards, sample boards, floorplans, costings and full presentation packs.
- Conduct site visits, keep customers and your Store Leader updated throughout the process, and maintain an inspiring design portfolio in store.
- Manage timelines, documents and payments with accuracy using our in-house systems.
- Work closely with retail colleagues and our installation team to ensure every project runs smoothly.
- Support installation days where needed, participate in weekly design meetings, and help with keyholder responsibilities.
- Support our shop floor team and store presentation.
- Engage in ongoing training, designer days and product sessions as part of your continuous development.
- Be proactive about your own learning and support the wider store team's understanding of architectural plans, bespoke drawings and presentation boards.
Who You Are:
- Bring a design-related qualification, previous experience in kitchen design and home design, and confidence with AutoCAD.
- Possess strong Microsoft Office skills, excellent organisation, attention to detail and commitment to outstanding customer service.
- Be a warm, engaging communicator - comfortable guiding customers, collaborating with colleagues, and working in a busy, fast-paced environment.
- Have a full driving license and the ability to travel to customer homes.
- Be flexible to work over the weekends and during the week too, on a rota basis.
- Be creative, proactive, supportive and grounded in a genuine enthusiasm for continuous improvement and the Neptune brand.
Why Neptune?
Joining Neptune means joining a community of thoughtful, skilled, design-loving people. You'll work with beautiful products, be part of meaningful projects, and help customers create homes that feel truly personal. And you'll do it with the support of a brand built on craftsmanship, honesty and timeless style. In return we offer competitive salaries and a great range of benefits.
What Benefits we can offer you:
- Generous Holiday Allowance
- Life Assurance
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Generous new item and outlet discounts
- Competitive salary
- Perkbox: Wellbeing Hub and Retail Discounts Portal
- Your birthday day off
- Day off if you become a Grandparent
- A week off to celebrate a life event
- Refer a friend scheme
- Long service holiday allowance increase
- Training Workshops
We are a growing business that encourages our people to grow with us. Neptune's goal is to ensure we have a diverse and inclusive work environment, where all of our employees have equal access to opportunities and everyone's voices are heard.
Our Story:
Founded in 1996 by friends John Sims-Hilditch and Giles Redman, Neptune design and make pieces for your whole home. Recognised for our exacting standards, design-led aesthetic and expert craftsmanship, we're perhaps most known for our kitchens - with heirloom-worthy dressers not far behind. Neptune's trademark 'look' is British: refined, simple, sturdy, and with an almost obsessive attention to detail. We're also respected for our commitment to craft and quality. Put simply, we make things we're proud of, and that are designed to last a lifetime.
Kitchen Designer employer: Neptune (Europe) Ltd
At Neptune, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity and collaboration thrive. As a Kitchen Designer in our York store, you'll enjoy generous benefits, ongoing training opportunities, and the chance to work with beautiful products while helping customers create their dream homes. Join us to be part of a community that values craftsmanship, personal growth, and meaningful projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Designer
✨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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd 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 Kitchen Designer
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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Neptune (Europe) Ltd. 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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd
✨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 Neptune (Europe) Ltd.
