At a Glance
- Tasks: Design stylish, functional kitchens from plans and collaborate with customers to resolve queries.
- Company: Join a leading kitchen design firm with a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction.
- Benefits: Flexible work options, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic office environment with the option to work from home one day a week.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by creating beautiful kitchens that enhance people's homes.
- Qualifications: GCSE Maths & English, design skills, and a passion for customer service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The role involves designing compliant, buildable, and cost-effective kitchens from architects’ drawings and regional & national housebuilders & developers’ specifications, acting as the technical point of contact during the pre‑sales and pre‑contract phases. You will resolve technical queries directly with customers, ensuring designs meet standards and constraints, to streamline the sales process, freeing Sales to focus on winning business. This is an office-based role, with the option of working from home for one day per week.
Key Accountabilities
- Interpret plans, elevations, sections, services layouts, and schedules to produce detailed kitchen designs, in line with company design guidelines.
- Apply design standards, ergonomic principles, compliance (e.g., fire safety clearances, accessibility considerations), and product constraints.
- Create revisions rapidly to reflect customer feedback, site constraints, VE (value engineering) changes, and supply chain availability.
- Validate fit, clearances, services locations, substrate requirements, fixing methods, tolerances, and sequencing with Engineering/Installation.
- Pre‑empt risks (e.g., clashes with M&E, structural obstructions, late‑stage variations) and propose practical alternatives.
- Provide support to the sales team by engaging with customers over the phone to resolve design-related queries.
- Attend customer meetings (remotely and at clients’ premises) with the RAM to explain design intent, answer technical queries, and align on specifications when required.
- Provide clear, jargon‑free explanations and produce meeting notes with agreed actions and design changes.
- Produce or validate per-plot itemised quotations aligned to the design, documenting assumptions, exclusions, and dependencies.
- Collaborate with Estimating to reflect VE options, availability constraints, and programme impacts.
Essential Competencies
- Demonstrated ability to effectively plan and meet deadlines (plan, prioritise, organise workload).
- Demonstrated ability to create and sustain good working relationships with colleagues (teamwork/positive behaviour).
- Demonstrated ability to work effectively with detail (good observation, eye for detail).
- Customer focus (effective customer relations).
- Ability to adapt to change and learn new standards (ability to learn).
- Ability to convey information effectively both in writing and orally (communication skills).
- Prior experience with a variety of software packages (skills in information technology).
- GCSE Maths & English as Grade C.
Desirable
- Prior spatial planning experience.
- Experience with CAD software e.g. 20:20, Planit, Fusion.
Kitchen Designer employer: Paula Rosa Manhattan
As a Kitchen Designer with us, you'll thrive in a dynamic and supportive work environment that values creativity and collaboration. Our flexible working arrangements, including the option to work from home one day a week, promote a healthy work-life balance while our commitment to employee development ensures you have ample opportunities for growth and advancement. Join a team that prioritises innovation and customer satisfaction, making every project a rewarding experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Kitchen Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their projects, values, and culture. This way, when you chat with them, you can show off your knowledge and passion for what they do.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Before any interview, run through common questions and prepare your answers. Think about how your skills in kitchen design can solve their problems and make their lives easier.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t be shy about showcasing your work! Bring along a portfolio of your best designs or even sketches that demonstrate your thought process. Visuals can really help you stand out and show your creativity.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Kitchen Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:When you're crafting your application, make sure to highlight any relevant design experience you have. Talk about specific projects where you've interpreted plans and created detailed designs, especially if they relate to kitchens or similar spaces.
Be Clear and Concise:We love a good communicator! Use straightforward language in your application to explain your experience and skills. Avoid jargon unless it's absolutely necessary, and make sure your points are easy to understand.
Tailor Your Application:Don’t just send the same application everywhere. Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the key accountabilities and competencies mentioned in the job description. Show us how your background aligns with what we’re looking for!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paula Rosa Manhattan
✨Know Your Designs Inside Out
Make sure you’re familiar with kitchen design principles and the specific software mentioned in the job description, like CAD. Brush up on ergonomic standards and compliance requirements so you can confidently discuss how your designs meet these criteria.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to answer questions about resolving technical queries and managing customer feedback. Think of examples from your past experience where you successfully navigated similar challenges, and be ready to explain your thought process clearly.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since this role involves liaising with customers and the sales team, practice explaining complex design concepts in simple terms. You might even want to prepare a few scenarios where you’ve effectively communicated design intent or resolved misunderstandings.
✨Demonstrate Your Problem-Solving Ability
Be prepared to discuss how you would handle potential risks or clashes in designs. Think of practical alternatives you could propose and be ready to share examples of how you’ve successfully managed changes or challenges in previous projects.
