Design Manager (Retail Displays)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Design Manager (Retail Displays)

Company: HH Global

Location: England, United Kingdom

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Operations / Engineering Management

Date Posted: March 23, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and build a global engineering function focused on retail display design and technical solutions for a leading consumer electronics brand.

• Establish consistent, compliant, and high-performing engineering standards and operating models across EMEA, India, APAC, and Australia.

• Drive the development of global engineering standards, support market teams with permanent fixture requests, and ensure all technical solutions meet quality, sustainability, and feasibility requirements.

• Act as the central point for design engineering excellence, providing tools, support, and processes to regional teams for consistent and rapid delivery.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a senior engineering leadership position within a Go-To-Market (GTM) operations context, specifically managing the technical design and engineering of retail displays. The focus is on establishing global standards and supporting regional execution, requiring a blend of technical expertise, process management, and cross-functional leadership.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a global engineering operating model with clear roles, standards, and workflows for retail display design and production.

• Develop and implement global engineering frameworks to ensure consistency, compliance, and best-in-class delivery across all operational markets.

• Create and maintain a comprehensive global library of engineering guidelines, technical documentation, templates, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Provide centralized, expert engineering support for permanent fixture development requests from all markets, ensuring adherence to retailer specifications, local regulations, and global standards.

• Develop and manage a scalable support model and prioritization system to ensure rapid response to regional engineering needs.

• Review and optimize key engineering processes, including CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Actions), prototyping, and engineering approvals, to enhance control, quality, and efficiency.

• Implement quality gates, define clear ownership, and introduce improved control measures while maintaining speed and agility in project execution.

• Introduce transparent tracking tools and reporting mechanisms to monitor progress, identify risks, and demonstrate continuous improvements in engineering operations.

• Partner with Account Management and Project Management teams to ensure engineering is consulted at the earliest stages of planning and briefing for client projects.

• Collaborate directly with client stakeholders to shape feasible, high-quality technical solutions from project inception.

• Attend key client and project kick-off meetings to provide essential technical guidance and proactively prevent costly rework.

• Lead the adaptation of global fixture designs to meet specific regional requirements, with a particular focus on markets like India and APAC.

• Apply Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles to ensure all retail display solutions are cost-effective, feasible for production, and scalable for global deployment.

• Maintain up-to-date retailer specification databases and provide critical engineering input to creative and design teams throughout the project lifecycle.

• Champion sustainability initiatives, ensuring all engineering outputs align with client sustainability goals and global compliance standards.

• Conduct thorough feasibility checks on proposed materials, digital integrations, and installation considerations for retail displays.

• Collaborate with sourcing, design, and installation teams to explore and implement innovative and sustainable engineering approaches.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities detail a strong emphasis on process standardization, global operational efficiency, and cross-functional collaboration, which are core tenets of effective Revenue and Sales Operations. The role requires not just technical design but also the operational management of engineering processes to support a global client's retail marketing initiatives.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

Experience:

• 5-10 years of progressive experience in design engineering, with a proven track record in managing technical processes and teams within a global or multi-regional context.

• Demonstrated experience in leading technical processes, creating operational frameworks, and driving consistency in delivery.

• Experience working with global retailers and a familiarity with regional market guidelines, particularly in India and APAC, is highly desirable.

Required Skills:

• Strong design engineering background with hands-on experience across diverse materials including wood, metal, plastics, and integrated digital components.

• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., SolidWorks) and Product Data Management (PDM) systems is mandatory.

• Ability to clearly sketch and communicate design concepts and technical specifications.

• Solid understanding of retail fixture engineering principles, permanent display development, and associated installation requirements.

• Proven ability to lead technical processes, establish operational frameworks, and drive consistency in engineering output.

• Excellent organizational skills, with a proactive approach to project management in a fast-paced rollout environment.

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-cultural teams across multiple time zones.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles and their application to retail displays.

• Familiarity with sustainability best practices and their integration into product design and manufacturing.

• Experience in developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for engineering functions.

• Knowledge of key retail compliance standards and regulations relevant to display fixtures.

• Experience with process optimization methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma) applied to engineering workflows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills strongly emphasize technical proficiency in CAD/PDM and material knowledge, alongside critical "soft skills" like cross-cultural communication and project management, aligning with the operational demands of managing global GTM initiatives. The preference for DFM and sustainability knowledge points to a more strategic operational approach.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase a minimum of 2-3 detailed case studies demonstrating successful management of complex retail display engineering projects from concept to implementation.

• Highlight projects that involved cross-functional collaboration, particularly with creative, sourcing, and installation teams, to ensure successful project delivery.

• Include examples of how you have standardized engineering processes, implemented quality control measures, or improved efficiency in previous roles.

• Demonstrate experience in adapting designs to meet diverse regional requirements, retailer specifications, and compliance standards.

Process Documentation:

• Provide examples or descriptions of engineering guidelines, technical documentation, or SOPs that you have developed or significantly contributed to.

• Illustrate your approach to managing engineering workflows, including project intake, design review, prototyping, approvals, and DFM integration.

• Detail how you have implemented tracking tools or reporting mechanisms to monitor engineering project progress, risks, and performance metrics.

• Showcase your understanding of Design for Manufacture (DFM) principles and how you integrate them into the design and development process.

📝 Enhancement Note: For operations roles, a portfolio is crucial for demonstrating structured thinking and process-driven execution. This candidate should be prepared to detail their methodologies for standardization, quality assurance, and cross-functional process integration within engineering, aligning with broader GTM operational excellence.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive health insurance package, potentially including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

• Generous paid time off (PTO) including vacation days, public holidays, and sick leave.

• Pension scheme with employer contributions.

• Opportunities for professional development, including training, certifications, and conference attendance.

• Access to cutting-edge design and engineering technology and software.

• Potential for performance-based bonuses or incentives.

• Employee assistance program (EAP) offering confidential support.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time working hours are expected, likely around 40 hours per week, with flexibility offered where possible to accommodate global team collaboration and project deadlines.

• The role is designated as hybrid, suggesting a mix of on-site work in England and potential remote days, though the primary focus is on on-site presence for team leadership and client engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is an estimation based on UK market data for similar roles and experience levels. Benefits are standard offerings for professional roles in the UK, tailored to attract and retain talent in specialized engineering and management positions. The hybrid work arrangement is inferred from common industry practices and the "#LI-Hybrid" tag.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Tech-enabled creative production and procurement. HH Global leverages technology to amplify marketing campaigns through production, procurement leadership, and sustainability solutions.

Company Size: Over 4,500 colleagues globally, with 26 creative studios and over 5,800 strategic supplier partners across 64 countries. This indicates a large, established, and globally distributed organization.

Founded: HH Global has a history of growth and expansion, indicated by its current global footprint, suggesting a company with a solid foundation and a forward-looking strategy.

Team Structure:

• The role is part of a global engineering function dedicated to supporting a leading Consumer Electronics Brand client.

• This function will include regional market teams that this Global Technical Engineering Lead will oversee and support.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making and process optimization are implicit in the role's focus on establishing standards, improving efficiency, and providing transparent tracking.

• Emphasis on technical excellence, quality assurance, and innovation in retail display solutions.

• A global, standardized approach to engineering processes, adapted for regional needs.

Company Website: https://www.hhglobal.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: HH Global's positioning as a leader in tech-enabled creative production implies a culture that values innovation, technology integration, and efficiency. The company's scale suggests opportunities for significant impact and exposure to diverse projects and global markets. The specific client focus for this role means the operations and engineering culture will be heavily influenced by the client's brand and operational demands.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role represents a senior-level individual contributor or team lead, focused on establishing and governing global engineering operations for a key client. It sits at the intersection of technical engineering and operational process management, crucial for GTM success.

Reporting Structure: The Global Technical Engineering Lead will likely report into a senior operations, client services, or engineering director within HH Global, with direct oversight and influence over regional engineering support teams or individuals.

Operations Impact: This role has a direct impact on the client's brand presence in retail environments, influencing the quality, consistency, and cost-effectiveness of their physical marketing materials. Successful management of engineering operations directly contributes to efficient GTM execution, brand integrity, and client satisfaction.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialization: Deepen expertise in specific retail engineering domains, sustainability in materials, or advanced manufacturing technologies for displays.

• Leadership: Transition into broader regional or global engineering management roles, or move into senior operational leadership positions within HH Global clients.

• Client Services: Develop stronger client relationship management skills, potentially moving into senior account management or strategic consulting roles focused on GTM operations.

• Process Improvement: Lead initiatives for digital transformation within engineering operations, implementing new technologies for design, simulation, or project management.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth potential highlights a path from specialized technical management to broader operational leadership, a common trajectory for experienced professionals in GTM operations. The emphasis on client impact and process improvement offers clear avenues for career advancement.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The role is designated as "On-site" and "Hybrid," suggesting a primary base in an HH Global office in England, with the possibility of some remote work. This implies a professional office setting that facilitates collaboration.

Office Location(s): Based in England, UK. Specific office details would need to be confirmed, but it would likely be a hub for client services and operational management.

Workspace Context:

• A collaborative office environment is expected, supporting interaction with account management, project teams, and potentially client representatives.

• Access to necessary design and engineering tools, software (CAD, PDM), and potentially prototyping facilities or strong vendor relationships for such services.

Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time working hours (approx. 40 per week) are typical.

• Flexibility may be available to accommodate global team interactions across different time zones and to meet project deadlines, particularly during major retail rollouts.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid nature suggests a modern work environment balancing in-office collaboration with remote flexibility, typical for operations roles managing global teams where asynchronous communication is key, but in-person strategy and team building are also valued.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your CV and portfolio to assess technical qualifications, relevant experience, and alignment with the role's core responsibilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: A discussion with the hiring manager to delve deeper into your experience, leadership style, understanding of global operations, and technical expertise in retail display engineering. Be prepared to discuss your approach to standardization and process development.

• Technical/Case Study Assessment: You may be asked to present a specific case study from your portfolio detailing a complex retail display project, focusing on challenges, solutions, process improvements, and outcomes. This could involve a technical problem-solving exercise or a review of your CAD/DFM capabilities.

• Cross-Functional/Team Interview: An opportunity to meet with potential colleagues from account management, project management, or design teams to assess collaboration skills and cultural fit.

• Final Interview: Potentially with a senior leader to discuss strategic alignment and long-term career fit within HH Global.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Strategically: Select 3-5 projects that best showcase your ability to manage global engineering operations, standardize processes, lead cross-functional teams, and deliver impactful retail display solutions.

• Quantify Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the challenges faced, the specific engineering and operational solutions implemented, and the quantifiable results (e.g., cost savings, efficiency gains, quality improvements, successful regional rollouts).

• Process Focus: Emphasize your role in developing or optimizing engineering workflows, implementing quality controls, and ensuring compliance. Detail your understanding and application of DFM principles.

• Global Perspective: Highlight projects that involved managing regional variations, working with international teams, and adhering to diverse retailer specifications.

• Presentation Clarity: Structure your presentation logically, using visuals (CAD renderings, photos of displays) to support your narrative. Be ready to discuss your technical tools (CAD, PDM) and how you leverage them operationally.

Challenge Preparation:

• Process Design: Be prepared to discuss how you would approach establishing global engineering standards for a new client or market.

• Problem-Solving: Anticipate questions about how you would handle conflicting regional requirements, material shortages, or tight deadlines for a retail rollout.

• Stakeholder Management: Prepare examples of how you have successfully influenced or collaborated with client stakeholders, creative teams, or regional operational leads.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process is structured to assess both technical depth and operational leadership. A strong portfolio that clearly articulates process management, standardization, and quantifiable results will be critical for success.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in industry-standard CAD packages is essential. Examples include SolidWorks (explicitly mentioned), AutoCAD, Inventor, or similar 3D modeling software. The ability to create detailed 2D and 3D designs for complex retail displays is expected.

• Product Data Management (PDM) Systems: Experience with PDM systems is required for managing design revisions, documentation, and version control of engineering files. Examples include SolidWorks PDM, Autodesk Vault, or similar.

• 3D Modeling & Rendering: Tools for creating realistic visualizations of retail displays, potentially including software like Keyshot, Blender, or integrated CAD rendering capabilities.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Asana, Jira, Monday.com, or Microsoft Project for tracking project timelines, tasks, and resource allocation across global teams.

• Data Analysis Tools: Familiarity with Excel for data manipulation and analysis, and potentially business intelligence tools like Tableau or Power BI for creating dashboards to report on engineering KPIs and project status.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency in Microsoft Teams, Slack, or similar for team communication, file sharing, and virtual meetings.

CRM & Automation:

• While not a direct CRM role, understanding how design engineering outputs feed into broader client management systems (e.g., project management platforms, procurement systems) is beneficial.

• Experience with workflow automation tools, even if basic, could be advantageous for streamlining approval processes or data entry within engineering operations.

• Integration Knowledge: Understanding how design data might integrate with manufacturing execution systems (MES) or enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems could be a plus.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific mention of SolidWorks and PDM indicates a strong requirement for hands-on technical proficiency. The broader operational context implies a need for skills in project management, data reporting, and collaborative tools to manage global engineering workflows effectively.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Excellence in Execution: A commitment to delivering high-quality, technically sound retail display solutions consistently and efficiently across all regions.

• Collaboration & Partnership: Fostering strong working relationships with internal teams (account management, design, sourcing) and external clients, working as a unified force.

• Innovation & Continuous Improvement: Actively seeking new materials, technologies, and process enhancements to drive better outcomes and stay ahead of industry trends.

• Accountability & Ownership: Taking responsibility for engineering processes, project outcomes, and ensuring compliance with client and regulatory standards.

• Global Mindset: Understanding and respecting diverse regional requirements, cultural nuances, and working effectively across different geographies.

Collaboration Style:

• Proactive & Consultative: Engaging early in the project lifecycle to provide technical guidance and prevent downstream issues.

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working seamlessly with creative, marketing, procurement, and installation teams to ensure a holistic approach to retail display deployment.

• Data-Driven Dialogue: Using data and metrics to inform discussions, justify recommendations, and track performance improvements within engineering operations.

• Open Communication: Maintaining transparent and frequent communication with all stakeholders, especially across different time zones and cultural backgrounds.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on collaboration, innovation, and a global mindset aligns with the operational demands of managing complex GTM projects for large clients. This role requires someone who can not only engineer solutions but also integrate them effectively into a broader operational ecosystem.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Global Standardization vs. Regional Adaptation: Balancing the need for consistent global engineering standards with the practicalities of diverse regional market requirements, retailer specifications, and local regulations.

• Pace of Retail Rollouts: Managing the demands of rapid, large-scale retail display deployments while maintaining high standards of quality, feasibility, and compliance.

• Material and Technology Evolution: Staying abreast of new materials, digital integration possibilities, and manufacturing techniques to ensure client displays are innovative and sustainable.

• Cross-Cultural Team Management: Effectively leading and collaborating with engineering teams and stakeholders across various cultural backgrounds and time zones, ensuring clear communication and alignment.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Materials & Manufacturing: Access to training and resources on cutting-edge materials, sustainable sourcing, and advanced manufacturing processes relevant to retail displays.

• Global Operations Management: Opportunities to develop broader skills in international project management, supply chain integration, and global GTM strategy.

• Client Relationship Management: Enhancing skills in client consultation, strategic account planning, and presenting technical solutions to senior stakeholders.

• Sustainability in Design: Deepening expertise in eco-friendly design principles, lifecycle assessment, and circular economy concepts for retail environments.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges highlight the complexity of operating in a global GTM environment, requiring adaptability and strategic problem-solving. The growth opportunities point towards becoming a subject matter expert in retail engineering operations or expanding into broader leadership roles.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to establishing global engineering standards for retail displays. How would you ensure adoption across different regions while accommodating local nuances?" (Focus on process documentation, framework development, stakeholder buy-in, and phased implementation.)

• "How would you balance the need for speed and agility in retail rollouts with maintaining rigorous quality control and compliance standards in your engineering processes?" (Discuss quality gates, risk assessment, DFM integration, and iterative design processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What attracts you to HH Global and this specific role supporting a leading consumer electronics brand?" (Research HH Global's mission, values, and recent work. Connect your skills to their tech-enabled production model and sustainability focus.)

• "How do you foster collaboration and ensure effective communication within a distributed, cross-cultural engineering team?" (Provide examples of tools, communication strategies, and conflict resolution approaches.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure for Impact: Organize your portfolio presentations around key projects, clearly outlining the project scope, your specific role and responsibilities, the engineering challenges, your innovative solutions (especially process improvements and DFM applications), and the measurable outcomes.

• Quantify Everything: Use data to support your claims – e.g., "Reduced prototyping costs by 15% through DFM optimization," or "Ensured 99% compliance with retailer specifications across 500+ store installations."

• Visualize Processes: Use flowcharts or diagrams to visually represent engineering workflows you've developed or optimized. Show CAD renderings and photos of the final displays to illustrate your technical capabilities.

• Highlight Global Experience: Specifically call out projects that involved international markets, cross-cultural teams, and navigating diverse regulatory or retailer requirements.

• Conciseness is Key: Be prepared to present your most impactful projects within a set time frame, demonstrating your ability to communicate complex information efficiently.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparing for these types of questions requires a deep understanding of operational management principles applied to engineering, alongside concrete examples from your experience. Demonstrating strategic thinking about process, standardization, and client impact will be crucial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the provided application link on the Dayforce portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight keywords from the job description, such as "Design Engineering," "Global Standards," "Process Optimization," "Retail Fixture Engineering," "CAD," "SolidWorks," and "Cross-Cultural Teams." Quantify achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Curate a selection of 3-5 key projects that best demonstrate your experience in managing global engineering operations, process standardization, DFM, and successful retail display deployments. Be ready to present these in detail, focusing on your role, challenges, solutions, and quantifiable results.

• Research HH Global & the Client: Understand HH Global's business model, values, and their approach to tech-enabled creative production. Familiarize yourself with the consumer electronics industry and common retail display strategies.

• Practice Your Narrative: Prepare to articulate your experience and approach to the interview questions discussed above, focusing on demonstrating your operational leadership, technical expertise, and ability to drive efficiency and consistency globally.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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