Senior Designer Home Decor & Lighting

Overview

We’re the UK's number one choice for homewares – we’re ambitious about our brand, about being a good company, and about profitable growth.

With 13 million active customers in the last 12 months, we offer over 85,000 products, including our own Dorma and Fogarty brands, across 200+ stores. We operate the UK’s largest Made to Measure factory for curtains and roman blinds. We’re also developing products to help customers live more sustainably by introducing new materials and circular design and broadening our Conscious Choice product lines.

Our purpose is ‘to help create the joy of truly feeling at home, for now and for generations to come.’ We have three ambitions: ‘ambitious about our brand’, ambitious about being a good company’, and ‘ambitious about profitable growth’. We’re focused on growing as the number one choice for home, furniture and more, loved by our customers shopping more frequently in a fast-moving, post-pandemic environment.

Design Team

At Dunelm, we believe in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, just like the products we offer. Our Design team is at the heart of this mission, crafting exciting new product ranges that not only drive sales but also delight our customers with a focus on sustainability and circular design.

Our designers are always on the lookout for the latest trends in product design, consumer lifestyles, colour forecasting, and innovative materials. They set the creative direction for each season, which then shapes our department strategies.

As for you, you will be responsible for the design and development of new products, materials, and techniques in the Lighting and Home Decor category. You will take pride in owning the entire process from start to finish. With a keen commercial sense and excellent communication and influencing skills, you will lead your team with a focus on coaching and development.

We’re not just looking for a culture fit; we want a culture add. We value diverse perspectives that can contribute to our vibrant and dynamic team. So, if you’re passionate about design and eager to make a real impact, we’d love to hear from you!

What you'll be doing

• Stay ahead of the curve by continually researching new trends in product design, packaging, and materials.
• Explore lifestyle trends and propose innovative ways to incorporate them into your department’s strategy.
• Source new materials and techniques at competitive costs to keep our products fresh and exciting.
• Identify potential new product categories that can drive incremental business and expand our offerings.
• Collaborate with the Head of Design to develop trend packs that balance creativity with commercial viability.
• Design captivating artworks for our products that resonate with our customers.
• Craft clear, commercial, and concise product briefs that lead to successful and timely samples.
• Produce visual strategy documentation that guides our creative direction.
• Present upcoming trends for the department in strategy meetings.
• Monitor sales performance of your department’s products to ensure future briefings build on success and improve sales.
• Be an expert in your field with a thorough knowledge of the factories and their capabilities.
• Build successful relationships with our supply base, including both domestic and Far East routes.
• Manage travel plans for yourself and your team within an agreed budget.
• Collaborate with marketing on styling requirements to deliver the highest quality lifestyle photography.
• Contribute ideas on content for the marketing and web teams for e-shots and social media.
• Host product workshops to share knowledge and inspire creativity.
• Contribute ideas and inspiration for designing and improving product displays in-store.

Your role is pivotal in ensuring our products not only meet but exceed customer expectations, all while maintaining a focus on sustainability and innovation. If you’re ready to bring your passion for design to a team that values diverse perspectives and creativity, we’d love to hear from you!

What we'll look for in you

• Relationship Builder: You excel at building successful relationships with our supply base, both domestically and in the Far East.
• Global Explorer: You’re ready to travel across the UK and overseas to source and develop new products, find new supply routes, review ranges, and provide valuable feedback to suppliers.
• Design Savvy: You’re competent in all the design packages needed for your role.
• Retail Experience: You bring valuable retail experience to the table.
• Homewares Enthusiast: You have a real passion for homewares and a drive to constantly innovate and enhance our product offerings.
• Detail-Oriented: You have a keen eye for detail, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks.
• Excellent Communicator: Your communication skills are top-notch, allowing you to convey ideas clearly and effectively.
• Natural Leader: You have the ability to lead and inspire others.
• Stakeholder Whisperer: You possess strong communication skills, especially when interacting with senior members of Dunelm and our suppliers, embodying a "stronger together" approach.
• Organisational Pro: You have strong organisational skills and can prioritise your workload effectively.
• Curious Learner: You’re always willing to listen, learn, and grow.