Senior Product Designer

Location: Unit 5 – 6, Armstrong Road, Washington, NE37 1PR

Contract: Full-Time

Hours: 40 hours per week; 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Thursday, and 08:00 to 14:30, Friday

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience

About Us

NOVOCASTRIAN is a closely-knit team of Designers, Craftsmen, and Metalworkers. We strive to create an exciting, inspiring workplace full of highly talented people. We are seeking a Senior Product Designer to take a pivotal role in our studio, leading projects and mentoring our growing team.

Role Overview

As a Senior Product Designer, you will lead projects from Sale through Design and Delivery, managing a significant portion of the company's projects while maintaining target profit margins. You will effectively manage accounts to ensure a steady flow of work and actively lead and contribute to wider office, studio, and workshop improvements. Additionally, you will be tasked with developing new products and bringing them to market under guidance from the Creative Director.

Key Responsibilities

Design and Technical Execution:

• Demonstrate a creative and original approach to design, delivering high-quality outputs across multiple types of projects.
• Design within NOVOCASTRIAN’s company ethos, with a clear understanding of the differing needs of Private and Commercial clients.
• Guide design direction and create the visuals required to convey design intent.
• Manage the risk of using known processes versus new processes.
• Work up designs from initial concept to full production drawings.
• Manage jobs through the manufacturing process, working closely with our team of makers and external suppliers.
• Monitor projects through the workshop to ensure manufacturing success.
• Produce O&M manuals, and final handover documentation to successfully close out projects.

Project and Commercial Management:

• Manage designated project types from start to finish, including NOVOCASTRIAN products, Special Projects, Bespoke work, and Architectural Metalwork.
• Ensure project budgets are met and flag any intended spend that exceeds the quoted allowance by over 5%.
• Assist in job quoting when required.
• Ensure strict compliance with our Standard Operating Procedures and our ISO9001 management system.
• Monitor in-house resource burn and project profitability.

Client Management:

• Support the Directors in key client presentations, taking a lead role when asked.
• Manage the client and gain approvals when required, keeping them informed of project particulars at all times.

Team Leadership:

• Manage, mentor, and train others when required, specifically acting as a mentor to Junior team members.
• Lead by example in instilling a positive attitude and help enforce studio protocol.

Requirements and Experience

Essential:

• 8+ years of direct industry experience.
• Extensive experience in furniture design.
• Excellent concept design and technical drawing skills.
• High proficiency in Fusion 360, AutoCAD, Photoshop, and InDesign.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing techniques and technologies.
• A thorough knowledge of suppliers, materials, and capabilities, with a drive to seek out new suppliers and processes to innovate.
• Demonstrable experience successfully delivering multiple projects from initial concept through to final handover.
• A proactive and positive attitude, with the ability to be strong yet fair to all team members.
• Must have an existing right to work in the UK.
• Must have a car and be able to commute to Washington, Tyne and Wear.
• Must be able to start within four weeks of a job offer.

Preferable:

• Experience in luxury furniture design and lighting.
• Metalworking knowledge.

Benefits:

• Early Friday finish.
• Private healthcare after two years.
• Enrolment in our quarterly profit share scheme.