At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a creative team to design innovative heated products for the Ninja brand.
- Company: Join SharkNinja, a global leader in lifestyle solutions and disruptive innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Collaborate globally and thrive in a fast-paced, innovative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by solving consumer problems with bold designs and engineering excellence.
- Qualifications: Degree in Product Design or related field; 7-10 years experience in product design.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
About Us
SharkNinja is a global product design and technology company, with a diversified portfolio of 5-star rated lifestyle solutions that positively impact people’s lives in homes around the world. Powered by two trusted, global brands, Shark and Ninja, the company has a proven track record of bringing disruptive innovation to market and developing one consumer product after another, allowing SharkNinja to enter multiple product categories, driving significant growth and market share gains. Headquartered in Needham, Massachusetts with more than 4,100 associates, the company’s products are sold at key retailers, online and offline, and through distributors around the world.
About the Role
SharkNinja is looking for a Design Manager to lead our UK based AD team focused on developing the next generation of innovative heated products for the Ninja brand. We thrive on creating products that solve real consumer problems and deliver exceptional user experiences through bold design, strong engineering, and rapid execution. Based in our London Design Office, you will lead and inspire a team of talented engineers and product designers, bringing both technical depth and creative leadership to the product development process. This role combines people leadership with hands-on product development responsibility, ensuring ideas move efficiently from concept through to production ready solutions. You will work closely with global teams whilst leading the concept generation phase, translating consumer and market insights into high quality, innovative concepts that address real problems and offer a unique Ninja edge.
What You Will Do
- Lead and develop a high performing team of engineers and product designers, supporting both technical growth and career development.
- Drive design studies and technical problem solving activities to resolve challenges throughout the product development process.
- Gather and interpret consumer and professional feedback, translating insights into streamlined and effective design solutions.
- Take ownership of product designs from early concept development through CAD execution, prototyping, testing, and verification.
- Lead the hiring, onboarding, and continued growth of the team in line with category and business expansion.
- Ensure projects are delivered at pace while maintaining high standards of engineering quality and consumer value.
- Continuously evaluate and improve designs for cost efficiency, manufacturability, reliability, and performance.
- Apply strong engineering and product design principles to develop practical and innovative solutions.
- Use knowledge of high volume manufacturing processes and materials to optimise product designs for production.
- Lead and participate in CAD reviews, design reviews, and technical discussions across teams.
- Support hands-on development activities including prototype builds, lab testing, analysis, and reporting.
- Collaborate closely with Product Development, Engineering, Design, Marketing, and Operations teams across the UK, US, and China to ensure successful delivery of products to market.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with cross functional teams and senior stakeholders throughout the development process.
What You Will Bring
- Degree level qualification in Product Design Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Typically 7 to 10 years experience within mechanical, product design, or industrial design environments.
- Typically 2+ years experience leading or managing teams.
- Proven experience developing and delivering consumer products to market.
- Experience within consumer goods or household appliances highly desirable.
- Strong understanding of plastics and high volume manufacturing processes.
- High proficiency in SolidWorks or Creo, including demonstrable experience leading CAD reviews.
- Strong technical problem solving skills with the ability to guide teams through complex development challenges.
- Hands-on approach with experience building prototypes, supporting product testing, and analysing results.
- Ability to motivate and empower teams to solve problems and execute autonomously.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills within cross functional and global environments.
- Positive, driven, and inquisitive mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast paced environment.
- Appreciation for electrical engineering, software, and UX design is beneficial but not essential.
Design Manager employer: Ninjakitchen
SharkNinja is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and innovative work culture, particularly for the Design Manager role based in London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, the company offers opportunities for career development while leading a talented team in creating cutting-edge products that enhance everyday life. The collaborative environment, combined with the chance to work on impactful consumer solutions, makes SharkNinja a rewarding place to build a meaningful career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Design Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the design and engineering fields. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential colleagues at SharkNinja. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Make sure it’s up-to-date with your best work, especially projects that highlight your leadership and innovative design skills. When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, use your portfolio to demonstrate how you can bring that unique Ninja edge to their products.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching SharkNinja’s latest products and innovations. Think about how your experience aligns with their mission of solving real consumer problems. Be ready to discuss how you can lead a team to create exceptional user experiences through bold design.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the SharkNinja team. Let’s get you that Design Manager role!
We think you need these skills to ace Design Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Design:When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for design shine through! Share specific examples of projects you've worked on that demonstrate your creativity and problem-solving skills. We love seeing how you can bring ideas to life!
Tailor Your CV and Cover Letter:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Design Manager role. Highlight relevant experience in product design and team leadership, and connect your skills to what we’re looking for at SharkNinja. This shows us you’ve done your homework!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the good stuff without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply 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 who we are and what we do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ninjakitchen
✨Know Your Design Principles
Make sure you brush up on your product design principles, especially those related to consumer goods and household appliances. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these principles in past projects, particularly in leading teams through complex design challenges.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Design Manager, you'll need to inspire and lead a team. Prepare examples of how you've motivated teams in the past, supported their growth, and navigated challenges. Highlight your hands-on approach and how it has positively impacted project outcomes.
✨Understand the Market and Consumer Needs
Familiarise yourself with SharkNinja's product portfolio and the specific consumer problems they aim to solve. Be prepared to discuss how you would gather and interpret consumer feedback to drive innovative design solutions that align with the Ninja brand.
✨Be Ready for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions during the interview. Brush up on your knowledge of CAD tools like SolidWorks or Creo, and be ready to discuss your experience with high volume manufacturing processes. This will show your technical depth and readiness to tackle the role's responsibilities.
