Design & Project Lead
Full Time | Permanent | Competitive Salary
About GKF Engineering
GKF Engineering is a well-established UK specialist manufacturer of bespoke stainless-steel commercial catering equipment and complete commercial kitchen solutions.
Based in Greater Manchester, we design, manufacture and install everything from individual bespoke fabrications and stainless-steel counters through to complete commercial kitchen projects.
We work with commercial catering companies, catering consultants, main contractors, designers and end clients across the UK, delivering projects across hospitality, restaurants, hotels, education, healthcare, leisure and stadia.
Our work is genuinely bespoke. No two projects are quite the same, and that’s what makes working here interesting.
Due to continued growth, we’re looking for an experienced Design & Project Lead to join our team.
About the Role
This is a hands-on leadership position combining technical design, project management and coordination of the design function.
You will oversee projects from initial concept and client brief through to manufacture and installation, ensuring designs are accurate, practical and commercially achievable.
You will also support and guide the design team, coordinate with internal departments and act as a key point of contact for clients, contractors and suppliers throughout project delivery.
The role involves working closely with our estimating, production and installation teams to ensure projects move efficiently from design into manufacture and are delivered on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.
Projects can range from individual items of bespoke stainless-steel fabrication and catering equipment through to complete commercial kitchen installations.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and coordinate the day-to-day activities of the design team.
- Produce and review detailed technical drawings for manufacture.
- Manage projects from initial brief through to production, delivery and installation.
- Translate client requirements into practical, technically accurate and commercially viable design solutions.
- Review specifications, site information, equipment schedules and approved drawings.
- Plan design workloads and monitor project programmes and deadlines.
- Coordinate with clients, consultants, contractors, suppliers and internal departments.
- Work closely with the estimating, production, procurement and installation teams.
- Identify and resolve technical, design and project-related issues.
- Attend client meetings, project reviews and site surveys where required.
- Monitor project progress, costs, variations and programme requirements.
- Ensure drawings and manufactured equipment meet the required quality standards.
- Maintain clear and accurate project documentation throughout each stage of delivery.
- Support the continued development of design processes, standards and team capability.
- Take projects through to successful completion, snagging and final handover.
About You
We’re looking for someone with strong technical design experience who understands how to turn a client brief into an accurate, practical and manufacturable solution.
You’ll be comfortable leading others, managing multiple live projects and working directly with clients, contractors and internal teams.
You’ll have:
- Strong experience in technical design within stainless-steel fabrication, commercial catering equipment, sheet metalwork or a related manufacturing environment.
- Previous experience managing projects from design through to manufacture and installation.
- Confidence reading, producing and reviewing detailed engineering drawings.
- Experience using SolidWorks or comparable 3D CAD software.
- The ability to lead, support and develop a technical design team.
- Strong commercial awareness, with an understanding of manufacturing methods, materials and project costs.
- Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple live projects.
- Confidence communicating with clients, contractors, suppliers and colleagues at all levels.
- A practical, solutions-focused approach and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent attention to detail and a strong commitment to quality.
- A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel to project sites when required.
Previous experience within commercial catering equipment, foodservice, bespoke stainless-steel fabrication or commercial kitchen design would be particularly advantageous.
Why GKF?
We’re not a huge corporate organisation where you become a number.
We’re a specialist manufacturer, and our design team works closely with the people actually estimating, fabricating and installing the equipment. You’ll have the opportunity to influence how projects are designed and delivered, develop the capabilities of the team and make a visible difference to the wider business.
You’ll be joining a growing company with a strong reputation for quality, bespoke manufacturing and getting the job done properly.
Our projects range from bespoke restaurant and hospitality environments to larger commercial kitchen installations and repeat national rollouts, providing plenty of technical variety.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience.
- Permanent, full-time position.
- Company pension scheme.
- Paid annual leave.
- Ongoing training and development.
- Genuine long-term career progression.
- The opportunity to lead and develop the design function.
- A varied workload across a range of commercial sectors.
- The opportunity to work alongside skilled design, manufacturing and installation teams.
- Free on-site parking.
- Casual dress.
Interested?
If you’re an experienced technical designer or project professional who understands bespoke manufacturing, enjoys leading a team and can confidently take projects from initial brief through to manufacture and installation, we’d love to hear from you.
Please send your CV and a brief introduction outlining your relevant experience to [email protected].
GKF Engineering is an equal opportunities employer.
Work location: In person
Pay: £38,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
Work Location: In person
