Contract Kitchen Designer

Howdens; Manchester; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan up to 12%

25 days holiday (rising to 27/30)

Staff discount on Howdens products

Share awards and prize draws

Job summary

Howdens in Manchester is seeking a design-focused Kitchen Designer for our Contracts hub to design and price kitchens for high-volume contract projects, including social housing and new builds, working with contracts managers.

You will produce tender packs in Excel, read tender enquiries, and ensure timely, accurate designs within budget. CAD experience is preferred; strong planning, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Ideal candidate has experience using CAD for kitchen designs.
• Able to deliver accurate designs and estimates within budgets and tight timelines.
• Comfortable with Excel and creating tender packs.

Responsibilities

• Design and price kitchens for high-volume contract projects.
• Read tender enquiries and produce high-quality, accurate designs.
• Support targets with efficient output and turnaround time.
• Produce tender packs using Excel and update designs as needed.
• Develop commercial awareness to provide cost-effective solutions.

Skills

CAD experience

Excel (basic formulas)

Budget awareness

Communication

Planning & organisation

Problem solving

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Exciting opportunity for a design individual to join our team of Kitchen Designers in our Contracts Manchester hub.

Joining our contracts division you will be expected to work with our contract sales managers to design kitchens for volume business. This can include High Rise, Social housing, and construction/new builds and developers

This position is not a sales role therefore we do not offer commission. As a designer, you will work with our internal contracts managers to understand the needs of our customers and from that design and price kitchens as required.

What You'll Be Doing

• Working with our Regional Contracts Managers you will design and quote kitchens that meet the business customer needs, specifications and timescales
• Read through tender enquiries to produce high quality and accurate kitchens that match the business customer specification
• Support the office in the effort to achieve targets, particularly with regards to output, efficiency and turnaround time
• Process accurate estimates to the kitchen plans and design specification
• Produce tender packs using Excel
• Amend designs to meet customers' needs and find commercial solutions to challenges
• Develop commercial and product awareness to continue to produce cost-effective solutions

What We Need From You

• Ideally someone with experience using CAD
• The ability to deliver within budget and strict time restraints
• Be commercially astute with an understanding of high-volume contract requirements
• Experience of producing high volume accurate kitchen designs and estimates
• Competent in using Excel with an understanding of basic Excel formulas
• Ability to communicate and influence effectively at all levels, both verbally and in writing
• Experience in producing creative and innovative kitchen designs for a multitude of end-users including commercial, industrial and disabilities
• Ability to problem solve under pressure
• Strong planning and organisation skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with excellent attention to detail
• Self-starter who is flexible, approachable and a team player
• This position will suit someone starting their career in a design role or maybe taking a career change with CAD skills

What we can offer you

• £27,500 and bonus scheme
• Pension plan (up to 12% employer contributions)
• 25 days rising to 27 days after 5 years' service and 30 days after 10 years' service
• Staff discount on Howdens products
• Share awards and prize draws

About Howdens

Howdens Joinery is the UK's number one trade kitchen supplier providing thousands of products across kitchens, joinery, and hardware. We have over 900 depots throughout the UK and Europe - making us the first choice for more than 460,000 loyal trade professionals. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we have an ambitious growth agenda.

As well as the opportunity to develop within a fast paced and commercial environment, you will be part of a rewarding organisation recognised for excellence in the workplace in the Best Big Companies to Work For.

About Howdens

Howdens Joinery is a highly successful FTSE 100 business, with more than 900 depots nationwide and more than 11,000 staff. Last year our sales reached circa 2.3bn, and we continue to experience significant growth and success. Despite our scale, Howdens remains a local business with traditional values.

There is a strong entrepreneurial ethos and the opportunity to develop within a fast-paced and commercial environment. That, along with a competitive salary, development opportunities, and exciting rewards, are among the reasons why our people enjoy working for Howdens - and why we have been named one of the 10 Best Big Companies to Work For.

Please note that candidates applying for this role must have a valid right to work in the UK, we do not offer sponsorship of employment for any depot positions at this time. We appreciate your understanding.