At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead product design from concept to production in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join a growing homeware business supplying major retailers.
- Benefits: Enjoy free parking, 20 days' leave, and a competitive salary.
- Why this job: Be part of a creative environment that values innovation and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Product Design or relevant experience required.
- Other info: On-site role with potential for occasional travel.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 28000 £ per year.
Are you a visionary designer with a keen eye for interior trends? Do you excel in dynamic, collaborative environments where your creativity drives innovation? If so, we’d love to hear from you. We’re thrilled to be recruiting a product designer in Rutland on behalf of a growing homeware business that supplies to a range of major retailers. The successful candidate will actively work to lead product design from concept to production and ensuring creativity meets commercial goals.
£25,000 – £35,000
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm (37.5 hours)
Location is on-site
Free parking
20 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays
Duties and responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the product development team to create innovative, customer-focused solutions
- Lead the full design lifecycle for assigned categories—from initial concept through to production sign-off—ensuring alignment with brand and market expectations
- Manage and adhere to the critical path, ensuring timely delivery of new product launches and seasonal updates
- Apply commercial awareness to design decisions, balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness and market trends
- Produce high-quality, detail-oriented design packs and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
- Liaise with factories and clients to ensure accurate sample development and timely execution
- Stay current with industry testing standards and compliance regulations, integrating them into design briefs
- Maintain organised records of all design activities and update development trackers to ensure transparency and alignment across teams
Required skills and experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Product Design or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
- Proven experience in product design, ideally within the retail or homeware sector
- Proficient in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, with strong attention to detail
- Skilled in Microsoft Office 365, particularly Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint
- Excellent project management and organisational skills, with the ability to meet tight deadlines
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; a collaborative team player
- Ability to work efficiently under pressure in a fast-paced environment
- Full, clean UK driving licence (occasional travel may be required)
Product Designer employer: Vanilla Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Vanilla Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Product Designer
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in homeware design. Follow industry leaders on social media and engage with their content to understand what’s currently popular. This will not only inspire your creativity but also show your potential employer that you’re passionate about the field.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the product design and homeware sectors. Attend local design events or workshops where you can meet like-minded individuals. Building these connections can lead to valuable insights and even job referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare a portfolio that showcases your best work, particularly projects that align with the homeware industry. Highlight your design process from concept to production, as this will demonstrate your ability to manage the full design lifecycle effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Research the company thoroughly before your interview. Understand their product lines, target market, and recent launches. This knowledge will allow you to tailor your responses and show how your skills can directly contribute to their goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Product Designer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in product design, especially within the retail or homeware sector. Emphasise your proficiency in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, as well as any project management skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for design and your understanding of current interior trends. Mention specific examples of how you've led design projects from concept to production, aligning creativity with commercial goals.
Showcase Your Portfolio: Include a link to your portfolio that demonstrates your design process and final products. Highlight projects that reflect your ability to create innovative, customer-focused solutions and your attention to detail.
Prepare for Interviews: Be ready to discuss your design philosophy and how you manage the design lifecycle. Prepare examples of how you've collaborated with teams and managed tight deadlines, as well as your approach to balancing creativity with cost-effectiveness.
How to prepare for a job interview at Vanilla Recruitment
✨Showcase Your Portfolio
Make sure to bring a well-organised portfolio that highlights your best work. Include a variety of projects that demonstrate your design process, from concept sketches to final products, and be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Brand
Research the homeware business thoroughly before the interview. Familiarise yourself with their product lines, target market, and recent trends in interior design. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their vision.
✨Prepare for Collaboration Questions
Since the role involves working closely with teams, be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Think of specific examples where you successfully worked with others to achieve a common goal, and highlight your communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Awareness
Be prepared to talk about how you balance creativity with commercial goals. Discuss how you've made design decisions that consider cost-effectiveness and market trends, showing that you understand the business side of product design.