Location
West London

Hours
Hybrid working pattern - three days in the office

Salary
£55,000 to £60,000, dependent on experience

About the Role
The Product Design Manager leads the innovation branch of the design team, driving new ideas from first sketch through to a finished, manufactured product. This role involves setting strategy and visual direction, shaping product ranges, and steering designs through development, sampling, and production. You will brief and inspire a core group of freelance designers, source and onboard new talent as the team grows, and report directly to the Head of Design. With two direct reports, this leadership position offers real autonomy and ownership of the critical path, briefing and approval processes, budgets, contracts, and rates. You will also maintain the creative engine through research, trends, and inspiration, ensuring a steady supply of new direction. This is an excellent opportunity to build and improve processes, grow the team, and leave a lasting impact on the brand’s future products.

Your typical day will include leading and developing the design team, setting strategy and visual direction, managing the design process from concept to finished product, briefing and guiding freelance designers, owning the critical path to ensure timely delivery of collections, overseeing artwork and product development to meet brand standards, sourcing and onboarding freelance talent, building effective briefing and approval processes, and managing freelance budgets, contracts, and invoicing.

Experience
- Background in physical product design, industrial design, illustration, or a related field with a portfolio of tangible products (not digital or screen-based)
- Around five years of design experience across a variety of physical product projects
- Previous leadership or supervisory experience managing a design team
- Proven ability to take a loose idea and deliver a finished, manufactured product on time and on brief
- Understanding of the design process through development, sampling, and production

About you
- Leadership style that is empowering and collaborative rather than top-down
- Clear and warm communication and presentation skills
- Ability to inspire and mentor a team of direct reports and freelance designers
- Passion for detail as well as the bigger picture
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is a welcome bonus but not essential

Qualifications
- Degree in product design, illustration, or a related creative field (essential)