In-House Design Manager

Design Manager - Bespoke Retail Fixtures & Prototypes
Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10
£45,000 plus a bonus, enhanced pension, life, travel and private medical insurance

Want to see your designs become real products?

We're looking for an experienced Design / Development professional to join an established international business and take ownership of exciting, bespoke retail fixture and prototype projects from concept through to manufacture and installation.

This is a hands-on technical Design Manager role – ideal for someone who understands how to turn a great design into something that can actually be manufactured, assembled and installed.

What you'll be doing as a Design Manager:

• Take bespoke retail fixtures and prototypes from concept → design → prototype → manufacture → installation
• Work closely with designers, project managers, production teams and suppliers
• Produce and review technical drawings and SolidWorks designs
• Lead design-for-manufacture, materials and engineering decisions
• Develop the in-house CNC and 3D-printing capability
• Manage prototypes, costs, suppliers and production schedules
• Support installation, site surveys and technical problem-solving
• Work with major brands and retailers to deliver high-quality finished products

What we're looking for in a Design Manager:

We're interested in people with a background in retail fixtures, shopfitting, bespoke manufacturing, joinery, model making, exhibition/display manufacture or prototype development.

You'll ideally have:

• Strong SolidWorks / CAD experience
• Knowledge of CNC and manufacturing processes
• Experience with prototypes or bespoke products
• Good understanding of design for manufacture
• Experience taking projects through to production and/or installation
• The ability to manage projects, suppliers, costs and deadlines
• A practical, hands-on approach and the confidence to solve problems

Why consider it?

This isn't a role where your designs disappear into a computer.

You'll be involved in the whole journey – from the initial idea through to a physical product being manufactured and installed.

You'll also have the opportunity to help develop the company's CNC, 3D-printing and in-house production capabilities, making this a great opportunity for someone who enjoys both design and engineering.

If you've got a background in retail design, shopfitting, bespoke manufacturing, prototyping or technical product development, we'd love to hear from you.