Senior Design Manager

Title: Senior Design Manager

- Innovation & Trends

Location: Remote Remote GB

Type: Full-time

Workplace: Fully remote

Job Description:

JOB TITLE: Senior Design Manager - Innovation & Trends

LOCATION: Either based in Aylesford, Kent, or Remote. You will be required on occasion to visit our office.

WORKING HOURS: 8am - 4.30pm

A bit about the role..

We are looking for a talented Creative Designer to drive innovation and keep Pineapple at the forefront of design trends. In this role, you will create visually compelling and manufacturable designs, blending creativity with sustainability to reduce our environmental footprint. You will conduct trend research, attend industry trade shows, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform insights into commercially successful products.

As a key player in our design team, you will manage multiple projects, provide insightful design feedback, and mentor a small team of creative professionals. If you have a passion for trend-driven design, strong leadership skills, and a keen eye for innovation, we'd love to hear from you!

Some of the key responsibilities

• As our creative and trends expert, you bring innovation to the forefront, ensuring Pineapple stays ahead of emerging design trends.
• Create visually compelling, manufacturable designs that seamlessly blend creativity with sustainability, reducing Pineapple's environmental footprint.
• Conduct in-depth trend research using forecasting platforms, social media insights, and competitor analysis to inform forward-thinking design decisions.
• Attend relevant industry trade shows, develop trend summaries and share key findings with cross-functional teams to incorporate into future designs.
• Develop and implement creative strategies that align with the company's vision, strengthening Pineapple's market-leading position.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams to translate trends into actionable, commercially viable designs.
• Effectively manage multiple design projects, ensuring high-quality execution and on-time delivery.
• Lead and mentor a small team of creative professionals, fostering a dynamic and inspiring work environment.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members to keep them motivated and help them grow professionally.
• Confidently provide insightful design feedback during product design reviews to enhance creativity and functionality.
• Translate stakeholder feedback into clear, effective design sketches, bringing concepts to life.
• Be adaptable and reliable, stepping in to support team members as needed during office absences.
• Strong ability to prioritise urgent and important tasks, seamlessly adjusting to shifting priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Product Design, Graphic Design, Fine Arts, or a related field.

• Proven experience in a creative design role within furniture or home interiors.

• Able to show a strong portfolio showcasing innovation, trend- driven designs that are both aesthetically compelling and manufacturable.
• In-depth knowledge of current and emerging design trends, with the ability to translate them into commercially viable products.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks design software.
• Experience in trend forecasting and conducting competitor research to drive design direction.
• Skilled in creating conceptual sketches and briefing the design engineering team for development.
• If working remotely you be required to visit our Ayleford office, potentially once a week to review prototypes/testing.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Enthusiastic, with ability provide actionable feedback to cross-functional team members to help them grow professionally.
• Willingness to travel to industry trade shows and supplier meetings as required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• You embody our company people values:
• Teamwork - Collaborate effectively with humility, appreciating and integrating individual skills and perspectives to achieve collective goals.
• Committed - Dedicate yourself fully to your role, going above and beyond with self-motivation and loyalty to achieve individual, team, and company goals.
• Ownership - Take full responsibility for your work, performance, and conduct, acting with integrity, staying organised, and learning from feedback and mistakes.
• Positive - Approach tasks with optimism and innovation, viewing challenges as opportunities, and bringing energy and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others.
• Responsive - React quickly and effectively to needs and feedback, prioritising tasks with urgency, embracing change, and maintaining a proactive approach.

Why work for us

Pineapple is a leader in designing and manufacturing innovative furniture solutions for challenging environments. A family run company started in 1975, Pineapple is now a global business with headquarters in Kent (UK) and offices in France, Germany and the USA.

Pineapple still runs by its original ethos of creating mindfully designed furniture that not only works effortlessly and looks great but also helps foster a calm and supportive environment. Join Pineapple and be part of a team that is dedicated to making a difference through quality, innovation, sustainability and exceptional customer care.

Benefits

• We were proudly featured in The Sunday Times as one of the Best Places to Work 2024
• Competitive pay
• Pension scheme
• A Healthcare Cash Plan - You can claim for medical expenses, dentist or optical services, as well as access to 100s of deals and discounts
• 23 days annual leave + UK bank holidays
• An extra day's leave for your birthday
• Workplace nursery scheme
• All new starters, we'll plant a tree in your honour. We currently have trees planted in the UK, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar
• Sustainability focused business
• Regular team socials and events, including summer and Christmas parties
• Monthly pizza Friday
• Fruit and snacks are provided daily
• Employee referrals bonus scheme
• Company volunteering day, 2024, we were at Port Lympne Safari Park picking leaves ready to be frozen for the animals through the winter
• High-quality office environment
• Free onsite parking / within walking distance from the train station

We are an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons.

Agencies we know where you are if we need any support, thank you for your interest in working with Pineapple.