At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design journey, inspiring customers and guiding projects from concept to completion.
- Company: Neptune, a design-led company creating beautiful, comfortable living spaces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, gym membership, and discounts on products.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a creative team and make a real impact on customers' dream homes.
- Qualifications: Experience in kitchen or interior design, CAD proficiency, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ 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 are here to help our customers create their dream homes - and it all begins with exceptional service. We are looking for an experienced Design Lead to work at our stunning Showroom in Bury St. Edmunds 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 will 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.
- Inspire and develop the in-store design team, remaining hands-on with complex and high-value projects.
- Blend 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 will 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 will 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 are working with customers in their homes or collaborating with colleagues in-store.
- You will 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 is 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 are 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 are 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 are also respected for our commitment to craft and quality. Put simply, we make things we are proud of, and that are designed to last a lifetime.
Design Lead employer: Neptune Ltd
At Neptune, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that values creativity and collaboration. As a Design Lead in our beautiful Bury St. Edmunds showroom, you'll enjoy competitive benefits, including generous holiday allowances and opportunities for professional growth through training workshops. Our commitment to inclusivity and employee well-being ensures that you can thrive in an environment where your contributions are valued and celebrated.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have a lead or be able to refer you to a position at Neptune.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to bring along your best work. Highlight projects that align with Neptune's design principles to really impress them.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching Neptune’s values and design ethos. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission of creating beautiful, comfortable spaces. This will show them you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨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 you’re keen on being part of the Neptune family right from the start.
We think you need these skills to ace Design Lead
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 to align with Neptune's values and the job description. Highlight your experience in kitchen or interior design and how it relates to the role of Design Lead. This shows us you understand what we’re all about!
Be Personable:Remember, we’re looking for someone who can build trust and communicate clearly. Use a warm and friendly tone in your application to reflect your personality. We want to know that you can connect with customers just as easily as you can with your colleagues.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.
How to prepare for a job interview at Neptune 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 Lead, you'll be guiding a team. Prepare to share specific instances where you've inspired or developed others in a design context. Highlight your ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining a calm and organised approach.
✨Master the Customer Journey
Understand the importance of customer relationships in the design process. Be prepared to discuss how you would lead a customer from the initial conversation to final sign-off, ensuring their vision is realised while adhering to technical standards.
✨Be Hands-On with Technical Skills
Familiarise yourself with CAD software and be ready to demonstrate your technical expertise. Bring along a portfolio showcasing detailed designs you've created, as this will help illustrate your capability to deliver high-quality, thoughtful designs.
