Design Manager

We are an award-winning company and one of Europe's leading designers and manufacturers within our field. We employ over 250 staff and are rapidly expanding. and due to the expansion of the business we are now seeking to recruit a newly developed role of Design Manager to join our team.

We have a large manufacturing plant based at our Headquarters in Frimley and the successful candidate will be responsible for the people, procedures, and processes within the design department, ensuring that the department runs smoothly to enable effective manufacturing of goods.

To be consider for this role you would have previously worked within a design engineer or design discipline role and have previous engineering manufacturing industry experience. You will have proven management experience either from a team leader, supervisory or manager role and ideally hold a degree or equivalent in an engineering discipline.

As the Design Manager you would oversee 8 staff within the design team as well as have close internal liaison with other departments including technical, manufacturing, projects and proposals teams.  The role is very much about the man management of the direct staff and effective internal liaison to ensure targets are met and products are manufactured to set timelines. There is also the opportunity to bring with your ideas and suggestion for improvement within the department in terms of process and systems.

You would work Monday to Friday with a salary of up to c£58k on offer and excellent benefits that include profit share scheme paid twice yearly, enhanced salary sacrifice pension, retail discounts, two paid volunteering days per year, cycle to work scheme, gym discounts, car maintenance scheme, saving, investments and debt advice, voluntary private healthcare plans and more. This role offers a hybrid working pattern.

Working as the Design Manager and reporting directly into the Operations Manager your role will entail the following:

Responsibility for the Design Team including daily task allocation and prioritisation:

• Responsibility for standard product and Make To Order (MTO) specials, including technical requirements and compliance to standard
• Liaising with Technical Manager regarding new product development prototypes and launch
• To ensure Design activities are carried out within expected time bound parameters and levels of accuracy
• Responsibility for Design for Manufacture
• Responsibility for department work instructions and procedures - creating, maintaining and training
• To work with Sales and Proposals Teams on new projects and to ensure accurate handovers to the Design Team
• Lessons learnt project de-briefs where applicable (Kick off and Wash Up procedure)
• Setting and achieving Team KPI's
• Owner of appropriate Team Continuous Improvement and efficiencies (system & personnel)
• Participate in key client reviews

People management of your team will include:

• Lead by setting a good example - behaviour consistent with the Behaviours and Values
• Act as an interface between the Team and others in the business
• Clear delivery of key messages to the team (including explanation of any goals, plans and roles)
• Reputation management
• Manage recruitment with the assistance of HR
• Ensure a successful induction process for new starters
• Clearly communicate required tasks, agree deadlines, and monitor achievement
• Set and agree SMART objectives for individuals/Team and monitor performance against these
• Manage and conduct appraisal process with all permanent Team members
• Provide regular constructive feedback to individuals and the team regarding their performance
• Address performance issues quickly, candidly, and constructively
• Manage capability and conduct issues with the assistance of HR
• Identify training and development opportunities for the team
• Ensure mandatory eLearning courses are completed on time
• Absence management with Company policy; to include sickness and annual leave
• Promote and drive continuous improvement within the Team
• Responsibility for HSE compliance and improvement activities within the Team

We have a friendly and modern working environment, where the successful candidate’s contribution will make them a valuable and prominent member of the team.

Candidates from pipelines, water treatment or filtration sectors would be encouraged to apply.

Please apply with your Cv and cover letter for immediate consideration.