Design & Product Manager – Premium Contemporary Furniture Brand
50-70K + Benefits | Hybrid 3 days on site - 2 days WFH |Location (North UK)
Location: North UK
Full-time | Design & Product Development | Reporting to CEO & Marketing Director
We are seeking a visionary Design / Product Manager to lead the full lifecycle of product portfolio development for a high-profile, premium contemporary furniture brand at an exciting time of change and transformation. This is a unique opportunity to define and elevate the brand’s design identity across international markets, working with architects, D&B firms, and global clients.
As guardian of Design & Product, you will be responsible for the end-to-end product lifecycle, overseeing NPD and external designers, driving a bold and innovative design aesthetic, ensuring every product embodies exceptional design, make, purposeful function, and enduring relevance
Key Responsibilities
Design
* Overall responsibility for the development of the contemporary furniture product portfolio, in collaboration with the senior leadership team.
* Delivery of the design team project objectives, including development & evolution of designs through prototyping for practical collaboration with designers.
Develop
* Develop a strategy containing a pipeline of new products & family extensions, upholding design principles and brand philosophy .
* Managing & reporting on new and legacy product portfolio performance to the management team
* Identify & nominate designers for new development missions .
Deploy
* Lead concept development, after handover to NPD team ensure that design content and quality continues to develop positively until launch.
* Take ownership of the full lifecycle portfolio development and adhere to the process and stage gates in place for the brands NPD process.
* Reporting of design content and quality on the project portfolio to the project owner .
* Identify & communicate risks & opportunities with proposed solutions.
Drive
* Ensure effective communication within the team & to stakeholders within the business including Marketing and Commercial Operations.
* Budgeting & cost control
* Responsible for facilitation of workshops & organisation of key events, primarily in early stages of development.
* Ensure relevant best practices are in place and aligned with the business.
* Planning & presentation of new product launches in close collaboration with the Brand and Marketing teams.
* Present the brand to key relevant architects, design schools & large end customers in collaboration with the Commercial and Marketing team.
* Maintain relationships with current & potential future collaborating designers.
* Adherence to & maintenance of the design & development process for the brand (annual wheel)
* Design protection and monitoring of legal protection together with the Legal Counsel. (Designer contracts)
What You Bring
* MA (or BA equivalent) in Design.
* 5+ years’ experience as a Product/Design Manager in premium contemporary furniture and/ or soft seating.
* Superb project management and organisations skills
* Proven success managing the end to end product lifecycle, taking products from concept to market.
* Strong CMF expertise—Materials, colours, and finishes that shape brand identity.
* Exceptional aesthetic sensibility and innovative mindset.
* Project leadership skills, balancing design vision with project management, commercial focus and delivery.
This is more than a management role—it’s an opportunity to define the future of a leading contemporary furniture brand, delivering products that inspire architects, clients, and end-users worldwide.
We are not looking for a designer - We are seeing a leading product Design Manager to lead and refresh the brand.
Please apply if you meet the criteria specified and we will be in touch to discuss this exciting opportunity further.