Kitchen Technical Designer

Shaker Wholesale Limited; Cirencester; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Shaker Wholesale Limited is seeking an experienced kitchen professional to join our technical team. You will turn approved designs into complete manufacturing information for our Vietnam factory, checking practical and technical viability and resolving missing details.

Working with the Head of Technical, you will prepare production drawings, schedules and specifications, ensuring accurate, ready-for-production packages and smooth handover to manufacturing.

Qualifications

• Experience in the kitchen industry as designer or production prep.
• Practical understanding of cabinetry, appliance integration and installation.
• Ability to read and prepare detailed drawings and specifications.
• Excellent attention to detail and proactive problem solver.
• Strong organisational skills for multi-kitchen management.
• Clear communication and query resolution.
• Experience with Winner software is preferred; training available.
• Experience with bespoke or in-frame kitchens.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or SketchUp.
• Experience preparing technical information for manufacturing teams.

Responsibilities

• Review approved kitchen designs, drawings, dimensions and appliance specs.
• Ensure manufacturing information is complete and consistent.
• Identify missing details and resolve with designers.
• Coordinate production drawings and cabinet schedules for Vietnam factory.
• Document finishes, hardware and non-standard requirements.
• Present packages to Head of Technical for approval.
• Check layouts, cabinets, and installations for clashes.
• Coordinate kitchens for production and factory handover.
• Support manufacturing and improve handover procedures.
• Keep records and track outstanding information.

Skills

Kitchen design

Technical design

Cabinetry knowledge

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Drawings & specifications

Winner software

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Communication skills

Independent work

Tools

Winner software

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Job description

Shaker Wholesale designs and manufactures handmade, in-frame kitchens, combining high-quality craftsmanship with exceptional value.

We are a rapidly growing business and a finalist in the growth category of the Lloyds British Business Excellence Awards. With an expanding UK showroom network and our own manufacturing operation in Vietnam, we are looking for an experienced kitchen professional to join our technical team.

About the role

Working closely with our Head of Technical, you will take approved designs from our kitchen designers and help turn them into accurate, complete manufacturing information for our Vietnam factory.

You will check that each kitchen works practically and technically, resolve missing information and prepare the drawings and specifications needed for production.

This role would suit an experienced kitchen designer or technical designer with strong knowledge of cabinetry, appliances and installation, excellent attention to detail and a methodical approach.

Review design handovers

• Review approved kitchen designs alongside drawings, dimensions, appliance specifications and customer selections.
• Ensure all information required for manufacture is complete, accurate and consistent.
• Identify missing details, discrepancies or unclear instructions and resolve these with the relevant designer.
• Ensure agreed customer changes are included in the final production information.

Check kitchens for technical accuracy

• Support the Head of Technical in checking kitchen layouts, individual cabinets and bespoke details.
• Check appliances against manufacturers’ specifications to confirm suitable housings, ventilation, clearances and access.
• Check door and drawer operation, fillers, panels and adjoining cabinetry for clashes or fitting problems.
• Review the coordination of sinks, taps, worktops, extraction and other relevant features.
• Consider how each kitchen will be manufactured, assembled and installed, identifying potential problems before production.
• Work with designers and the Head of Technical to agree practical solutions.

Prepare kitchens for production

• Prepare and coordinate clear production drawings, cabinet schedules, specifications and supporting documents for the Vietnam factory.
• Clearly document finishes, hardware, bespoke cabinetry and non-standard requirements.
• Ensure the manufacturing package accurately reflects the approved kitchen design.
• Maintain drawing revisions and ensure the correct information is issued.
• Present completed packages to the Head of Technical for final approval before release to production.

Support manufacturing and improve processes

• Help resolve technical queries from the Vietnam factory, liaising with the UK designers and Head of Technical.
• Communicate approved changes clearly and keep accurate records.
• Track outstanding information and help keep kitchens moving through technical preparation to meet production deadlines.
• Help improve handover procedures, technical checklists and drawing standards.
• Use feedback from manufacturing and installation to reduce recurring errors, remakes and delays.

Skills and experience

• Strong experience within the kitchen industry, ideally as a kitchen designer, technical designer or in a similar production preparation role.
• A practical understanding of kitchen cabinetry, construction, appliance integration and installation.
• Ability to read, check and prepare detailed drawings and specifications.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to identify problems before manufacture.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage several kitchens at different stages.
• Clear communication skills and confidence in raising queries and following them through to resolution.
• A proactive, practical approach and the ability to work independently while supporting the wider team.
• Experience using Winner kitchen design software is preferred but not essential. Training can be provided for someone with relevant kitchen industry experience.
• Experience with bespoke or in-frame kitchens.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or SketchUp.
• Experience preparing technical information for manufacturing teams.

The opportunity

You will play a key role in an ambitious, growing kitchen business, working closely with our UK design team, Head of Technical and Vietnam factory.

Your work will help ensure every kitchen reaches production with complete, accurate information, supporting smooth manufacture and installation while reducing avoidable errors and delays.