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