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- Tasks: Lead design projects, inspire the team, and ensure exceptional customer experiences.
- Company: Neptune, a design-focused company creating beautiful home spaces.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, gym membership, and discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape stunning interiors while making a real impact on customers' lives.
- 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 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 Reading employer: Neptune Ltd
Contact Detail:
Neptune Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Team Leader in Reading
✨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 commitment to beauty and comfort in everyday living. We want to see your passion for creating dream homes!
✨Tip Number 2
Bring your portfolio along and be ready to discuss your past projects. Highlight those complex and high-value designs you've led, and how they reflect customer needs. We love seeing how you’ve turned ideas into beautifully considered spaces!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to build trust with customers and inspire your team. Show us how you can clearly convey your design ideas and collaborate effectively. Remember, it’s all about creating an exceptional customer experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Flexibility is key! Be prepared to discuss your availability for working across our two stunning showrooms. Show us that you’re ready to jump in whenever needed, whether it’s a busy weekend or a last-minute project. We appreciate a can-do attitude!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Team Leader in Reading
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 leading a team and delivering exceptional customer experiences. We appreciate when candidates take the time to connect their skills with our mission.
Be Personable and Authentic: We’re looking for someone who can build trust and communicate clearly. In your written application, let your personality come through! Share anecdotes that showcase your warm and personable nature, as well as your ability to collaborate effectively with both customers and 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 shows you’re keen to join the Neptune family right from the start!
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 Customer-Centric Approach
Prepare to share specific instances where you've guided customers through the design journey. Highlight how you built trust and delivered exceptional service, as this is key to the role.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Familiarise yourself with CAD software and be prepared to discuss your technical skills. You might even want to bring a portfolio showcasing your detailed designs to illustrate your capabilities.
✨Emphasise Team Leadership Skills
Think about how you've inspired and developed design teams in the past. Be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you nurture creativity and confidence in others, as this will be crucial for the Design Lead position.