Help us create the joy of truly feeling at home. Now and for the generations to come.
We are the UK’s leading homewares retailer – ambitious about our brand, about being a good company and about sustainable growth.
If you aspire to become part of a talented and professional product design team who are central to the creative direction of our business, then keep reading.
We are a highly collaborative group of designers, dedicated to creating exceptional products that seamlessly coordinate within the home. Our mission is to provide direction for a wide and varied range of brands, including Dorma, Fogarty, The Edited Life, Churchgate, Elements, and our parent brand, Dunelm.
Our Design team plays a pivotal role in crafting exciting new product ranges aimed at boosting sales and wowing our customers with sustainability and circular design principles at their core. They are continuously engaged in researching emerging trends in product design, consumer lifestyles, colour forecasting, and innovative materials. Their expertise guides the creative direction for all categories each season, which is then seamlessly integrated into our departmental strategies.
Role Summary:
As a vital member of our design team, you will be accountable for designing, developing, and sourcing new products, as well as identifying material and technique trends to drive sales within your design area. Your creative expertise will craft stunning furniture designs that captivate our customers and help us stand out in a competitive market. With sound commercial acumen and excellent communication and influencing skills, you will take initiative and make things happen. You'll collaborate with our global network of suppliers, stay ahead of design trends, and contribute to innovative, economically viable product expansions. Additionally, you'll support marketing efforts with compelling content and uphold our commitment to sustainability.
This role is a hybrid opportunity.
We recruit people from all types of backgrounds, who share our entrepreneurial, hands-on approach to work. We are committed to creating a full inclusive environment that is representative of our customers and locations. We recognise the value and importance in inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of sex, age, race, religion, disability, neuro-diversity, gender or sexual identity, socio-economic background or education.
- Design Excellence: Craft stunning furniture designs that captivate our customers. Your creative vision will help us stand out in a competitive market.
- Seasonal Innovation: Contribute your design expertise to our seasonal theme-based capsule collections, infusing them with fresh and exciting ideas inspired by the latest trends in design, fashion, and contemporary culture.
- Supplier Collaboration: Collaborate with our global network of suppliers, ensuring that product samples align with your design intent. Your meticulous eye for detail will maintain our commitment to quality.
- Trendsetter: Stay ahead of the curve by researching and implementing new trends in product design, packaging, and materials. Share your insights on lifestyle trends to shape our department's strategy.
- Material Sourcing: Source new materials and techniques at cost-effective rates, keeping our designs both innovative and economically viable.
- Product Expansion: Identify and explore potential new product categories to drive business growth and expansion.
- Trend Presentation: Format trend packs for the Head of Design, enabling impactful presentations during kick-off meetings.
- Commercial Designs: Develop commercially viable solutions that align with individual product briefs and overall design strategies, all while adhering to company deadlines.
- Technical Expertise: Produce precise technical drawings and documentation necessary for product quoting and prototyping. Must be proficient in 3D modelling software.
- Trend Forecasting: Share your insights on upcoming trends during strategy meetings, helping steer our department's direction.
- Sales Insight: Utilize your knowledge of department product sales performance to inform future briefs and enhance sales strategies.
- Styling Collaboration: Collaborate with the marketing team to deliver top-tier lifestyle photography, ensuring our products shine in every context.
- Content Contribution: Share your creative ideas with the marketing and web teams for e-shots and social media content.
- Sustainability Champion: Be at the forefront of our journey to net-zero by innovating sustainable design practices.
- Team Collaboration: Work closely with the wider Design Team to ensure seamless coordination across product offerings, providing a unified experience for our customers.
- Supplier Expertise: Maintain an in-depth knowledge of our company's manufacturing network, ensuring technical, quality, and cost considerations are always optimized.
- Quality Assurance: Assist in resolving quality issues on existing products through re-engineering and sourcing alternative fittings.
- Technical Proficiency: Harness your skills in 3D modelling software, Adobe Suite, and Microsoft Office to excel in your daily design endeavours.
- Build successful relationships with our supply base including both domestic and FE routes.
- Travel UK and overseas to source and develop new products and find new supply routes.
- Competent on all the design packages needed for my role.
- A real passion for Furniture and Upholstery and to constantly innovate and drive forward the product offer.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Excellent communication skills ability to lead others.
- Strong stakeholder communication skills, especially to senior members of Dunelm and our suppliers - demonstrating a "stronger together" approach.
- Strong organisation skills, with clear ability to be able to prioritise workload
- Curiosity. Willing to listen and learn.
