At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead design projects and inspire a creative team in stunning showrooms.
- Company: Neptune, a brand dedicated to beautiful and functional home design.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, gym membership, and unique perks.
- Other info: Join a supportive team that values creativity, inclusivity, and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape dream homes while delivering exceptional customer experiences.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen or interior design and proficiency in CAD software.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
At Neptune, our spaces are designed to bring beauty, comfort and a sense of home to everyday living. From timeless furniture pieces to thoughtful design advice, we're here to help our customers create their dream homes - and it all begins with exceptional service.
We're looking for an experienced Design Lead to work across two of our stunning Showrooms in Guildford and Reading on a permanent, full time basis, working 40 hours per week over 7 days on a rota basis. Great design is at the heart of our business. As Design Lead, you will be the senior design authority within our store, taking responsibility for leading the store from a design-led perspective while delivering an exceptional, commercially successful customer experience.
What you'll be doing
- Lead the design journey from the first conversation through to final sign-off, ensuring every project reflects Neptune's design principles, technical standards and brand values.
- Inspiring and developing the in-store design team, while remaining hands-on with complex and high-value projects.
- Blending design leadership, customer relationships, technical expertise and commercial awareness to help turn our customers' ideas into beautifully considered kitchens and whole-home spaces.
- Lead the creative direction across two store design locations, acting as the senior design voice in-store and setting the standard for inspiring concepts, exceptional customer experience and thoughtful brand execution.
- Guide the entire design journey from first conversation through to final sign-off, personally leading complex and high-value kitchen and whole-home projects while building trusted, lasting customer relationships.
- Oversee the store's design pipeline and performance, ensuring creative ideas translate into well-considered, deliverable projects that achieve both design and sales goals.
- Support and develop designers and design advisors, nurturing their creativity, strengthening technical expertise and building confidence in presenting considered design solutions.
- Ensure every design reflects Neptune's technical, safety and brand standards, providing guidance, quality assurance and close collaboration with regional and central teams.
A little about you
You'll bring experience within a kitchen or interior design environment, along with the confidence to guide customers through a thoughtful and well-considered design journey. Comfortable using CAD software, you'll be able to create and present detailed designs with accuracy and care. Naturally warm and personable, you build trust easily and communicate with clarity, whether you're working with customers in their homes or collaborating with colleagues in-store. You'll be organised and calm under pressure, able to manage several projects at once while keeping a solutions-focused mindset. Above all, you take pride in your work and care deeply about delivering an exceptional customer experience from first conversation to final design. Our store is open 7 days of the week, so it's important that you have the flexibility to work during the week and weekends too.
What Benefits we can offer you
- Competitive salary
- Generous holiday allowance
- Purchased additional annual leave scheme
- Life assurance
- Company sick pay
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Cycle to work scheme
- Gym membership
- Generous Neptune new item and outlet discounts
- Perkbox: Wellbeing Hub and Retail Discounts Portal
- Your birthday day off
- Two paid volunteer days a year
- 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
Across all locations, we stay united by our company values: Do The Right Thing, Do It Together, Aim High and Keep It Real. We're an equal opportunities employer; our mission is to welcome everyone and create inclusive teams, with all colleagues and applicants afforded the same opportunities. We encourage everyone to join us and be themselves at work, in an environment that actively promotes equality, diversity and inclusion and where 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 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.
Design Team Leader in Slough employer: Neptune (Europe) Ltd
Contact Detail:
Neptune (Europe) Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Team Leader in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know Neptune's design philosophy inside out. When you walk into that interview, show us how your vision aligns with our values. We want to see your passion for creating beautiful spaces that feel like home!
✨Tip Number 2
Bring a portfolio that showcases your best work, especially those complex projects you've led. We love seeing how you've turned ideas into stunning designs, so make sure to highlight your process and the impact of your work.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Design Lead, you'll need to build trust with customers and inspire your team. Be ready to demonstrate how you can connect with people and guide them through the design journey.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in being part of the Neptune family.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Team Leader in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Design Passion: When you're writing your application, let your love for design shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that reflect your creativity and attention to detail. We want to see how you can bring beauty and comfort to everyday living.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Design Team Leader role. Highlight your experience in kitchen or interior design and how it aligns with Neptune's values. This shows us that you understand what we're all about and how you can contribute to our mission.
Be Personable and Clear: Remember, communication is key! Use a warm and friendly tone in your application, just like you would when speaking to a customer. Clarity is important too, so make sure your ideas are easy to follow and well-structured.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about Neptune and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Neptune (Europe) Ltd
✨Know Your Design Principles
Before the interview, brush up on Neptune's design principles and brand values. Be ready to discuss how your design philosophy aligns with theirs and provide examples of past projects that reflect these principles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Team Leader, you'll need to inspire and develop your team. Prepare to share specific instances where you've successfully led a design project or mentored a colleague, highlighting your ability to foster creativity and confidence.
✨Master the Customer Journey
Understand the importance of the customer journey in design. Be prepared to discuss how you would guide customers from initial conversation to final sign-off, ensuring their needs are met while maintaining design integrity.
✨Demonstrate Technical Proficiency
Familiarise yourself with CAD software and be ready to discuss your technical skills. Bring along a portfolio showcasing detailed designs you've created, as this will help illustrate your expertise and attention to detail.