Design Manager — Roles & Responsibilities
For a modular furniture manufacturing/project environment, the Design Manager focuses on converting client requirements into functional, manufacturable, cost-effective, and installation-ready furniture designs.
1. Design Development
- Understand client requirements, space planning, functionality, aesthetics, and budget.
- Develop modular furniture concepts, layouts, elevations, and detailed designs.
- Standardize modules, dimensions, hardware, materials, and finishes.
- Ensure designs are practical for manufacturing, transportation, and installation.
- Develop customized solutions where standard modules are not suitable.
2. Technical Design
- Prepare and review detailed furniture drawings and specifications.
- Define materials, board thicknesses, edge bands, hardware, fittings, finishes, and accessories.
- Ensure designs meet applicable quality and performance requirements.
- Check tolerances, clearances, ergonomics, load requirements, and interfaces with building services.
- Develop design details for kitchens, wardrobes, workstations, storage, reception areas, loose furniture, etc.
3. Design-to-Manufacturing Coordination
- Coordinate closely with production, CNC, engineering, procurement, and quality teams.
- Ensure designs are manufacturing-friendly and optimized for production.
- Resolve issues related to cutting, drilling, edge-banding, assembly, and hardware installation.
- Minimize unnecessary customization and production complexity.
- Develop and maintain standard modular components.
4. Value Engineering
- Optimize material consumption and production methods.
- Identify opportunities to reduce cost without compromising functionality or appearance.
- Standardize components and hardware wherever practical.
- Compare alternative materials, fittings, and construction methods.
- Support costing and quotation teams with accurate design information.
5. Design Team Management
- Lead furniture designers, CAD operators, 3D designers, and technical design engineers.
- Allocate design work according to project priorities.
- Review drawings before release to production.
- Set design standards, templates, and documentation procedures.
- Train and develop the design team.
6. Client & Consultant Coordination
- Understand and clarify client/consultant comments.
- Present design concepts, samples, finishes, and technical solutions.
- Coordinate approvals for drawings, materials, colours, and hardware.
- Maintain a clear record of revisions and approvals.
- Ensure approved designs are properly communicated to production and site teams.
7. Site & Installation Support
- Coordinate site measurements and verify actual dimensions.
- Review site conditions that may affect furniture installation.
- Resolve installation-related design issues.
- Support the site/installation team with technical clarification.
- Review modifications required due to site conditions.
8. Quality Control
- Establish design-checking procedures.
- Verify dimensions and interfaces before production release.
- Ensure drawings, BOMs, specifications, and 3D models are consistent.
- Reduce design errors, production rework, material wastage, and site modifications.
- Participate in prototype/mock-up reviews.
9. Documentation & Design Control
Maintain and control:
- GA/layout drawings
- Detailed manufacturing drawings
- 3D models/renderings
- Bill of Materials (BOM)
- Hardware schedules
- Material and finish schedules
- Cutting/production information
- Revision registers
- Approval drawings
- Installation details
10. Production & Project Coordination
The Design Manager should act as the link between Sales/Client → Design → Estimation → Procurement → Production → Quality → Installation.
The role should ensure that every project moves smoothly from:
Client Requirement → Concept → Design → Approval → Engineering → Production → Quality → Installation → Handover
Key KPIs for a Modular Furniture Design Manager
- Design accuracy
- On-time drawing release
- First-time-right production drawings
- Reduction in design-related rework
- Material optimization
- Design cost vs. approved budget
- Number of site modification issues
- Approval turnaround time
- Production rejection rate due to design errors
- Standardization of modular components
- Customer satisfaction
Pay: ₹20,467.83 - ₹78,499.98 per month
Work Location: In person
