Application Pack for Applicants

Design Director

September 2016


Table of Contents

  1. Covering Letter
  2. About Leckey
  3. Our Mission, Vision, Values & Guiding Principles
  4. Job Description
  5. Person Specification
  6. Core Behaviours & Competencies
  7. Organisational Chart
  8. Principle Terms, Conditions & Benefits
  9. Key Dates
  10. Selection Process
  11. Closing date for applications
  12. Additional Information

Design Director

(DD0916)

Dear Applicant

Thank you for your interest in this position with Leckey.

Our mission is to improve the quality of life of children with special needs. A life where each child is included and can access their full potential.

Established in 1983, our Vision is to be the world’s leading company working with the special needs community to research develop and co-create life changing innovative products for the children, their families and carers.

Achieving this requires great design leadership and we are currently in search of a design director with 5-10 years of experience leading end to end product development. The right candidate will help us better understand our customers, drive research, lead product strategy and guide our design team through execution.

As the senior leader for product design, you will have full ownership of product development, creative judgement and our design gate review process, leading and developing a Product Design Team to deliver exceptional products.

This pack provides the information you will require to assist you in completing your application. To apply please:

  • Provide an up-to-date CV which shows your full career history with any breaks explained – we recommend that this is no longer than three pages and that it is tailored to the role.
  • Write a detailed supporting statement detailing how you are a good candidate for this post and how you fulfil the role requirements – we recommend that this is no longer than two pages.
  • Include any specific design portfolio of work which you feel is relevant – we recommend that this is no longer than 5 pages.
  • Indicate if you cannot attend any of the interview dates

Please note that applications can only be considered if all the documentation is completed.

Please complete your application by emailing and attaching your CV and supporting statement as one document by Friday, 7th October 2016 at 2.00pm.

If you would like to have a conversation about this role, please call Beverley Copeland, HR Manager on 02892600773. All calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity of all kinds at Leckey. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, disability, religious belief or political opinion, sexual orientation, race, age, marital or civil partnership status.

About Leckey

James Leckey Design Ltd (Leckey)

The Lisburn based company Leckey was founded in 1983 when James Leckey became involved in a charity fundraising event to provide positional aids for special needs children in Northern Ireland. When the equipment arrived James saw little evidence that it met the needs of the children and using his mechanical engineering skills he set about designing one-off bespoke positional chairs and standing frames for local children in Northern Ireland. Through working closely with locally based therapists and the children’s carers he developed an increased understanding of their needs and this helped him to design and develop a standard but highly adjustable range of postural management equipment specifically for children with moderate to severe physical and learning disabilities.

Today the company which started out in 1983 as a sole trader now employs more than 180 people, exports 98% of its products outside Northern Ireland and is recognized as a global leader in the design and manufacture of quality postural support and therapy equipment that improves the lives of children with disabilities.

The company consolidated all its design and manufacturing operations into an 80,000 sq. ft. modern facility in Lisburn Northern Ireland in 2012. In 2014 the facility was expanded further with the addition of 30,000 sq. ft. of warehousing space to house a new distribution centre for finished goods stock.

The Leckey brand is synonymous with good quality robust innovative products that offer excellent clinical positioning for children with moderate to severe special needs. The product range is wide and includes special seating systems, standing frames, walking aids, strollers, wheelchairs, bathing and toileting equipment and sleep systems all designed to offer a 24/7 programme of postural care for the child.

The company is focused on delivering growth through innovation and to achieve this the company invests heavily in its research and design capabilities to ensure it has the right talent, resources and creative environment needed to maintain the product development pipeline. The design team is multi-disciplinary with product designers, mechanical engineers, bio engineers and clinicians all working together and in collaboration with universities and centres of excellence around the world. We conduct extensive product trials with physiotherapists, occupational therapists, rehabilitation engineers and our distribution partners to ensure our products are meeting the practical and comfort needs of our customers as well as delivering the clinical benefits intended.

The Leckey products are sold through our own distribution company in the UK &ROI (Vida UK) who sell directly to Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals mainly within NHS and Education structures. Internationally our products are distributed in Germany and Austria through our own company Vida Germany and through specially selected independent distribution partners in the rest of the world. The Leckey brand is known and respected internationally with products being actively sold in every continent. Key markets are the UK, Ireland, USA, Italy, Australia, Germany, Russia and Japan.

Firefly -

Firefly is owned by Leckey and is a digital online business selling low assessment affordable products directly to parents and carers of special needs children. Whilst the Leckey products are focused around delivering a programme of 24/7 postural management the Firefly products are focused around participation and social inclusion and allowing the children to interact with their parents and siblings in every day family life.

Firefly has rapidly established its reputation internationally as a global innovator of life changing special needs products such as the Upsee walking aid or the GOTO Seat. Firefly encourages a co-creation approach to product development and works with a wide range of parents, healthcare professionals, universities and charities in developing and commercialising any ideas they have for new product development. All the Firefly product design activities are managed through the Leckey design centre.

Firefly has also expanded its international sales reach by developing a dealer network to provide the parents with the opportunity to try before they buy and also test the possibility of getting the Firefly products reimbursed through healthcare systems on a market by market basis. Both Vida UK and Vida Germany distribute the Firefly products.

Firefly is not just about selling products but it has also developed a vibrant special needs digital community the Firefly Garden ( to communicate directly with parents and therapists through social media. The Firefly forum is a place for kids, parents, healthcare professionals, carers and anyone else involved with children with special needs to share stories, experiences, tips and knowledge, and to give and receive support from others in similar situations.

All Firefly products have been designed for outsourced manufacture and the only local manufacturing requirement is for high level assembly and final quality control both of which are provided by Leckey.

The Leckey distribution centre holds finished goods stock of all Firefly products and manages the fulfilment of all UK and EMEA orders with a 24 hr dispatch target. An additional finished goods inventory is held on consignment in the US by a subcontracted logistics provider who manages the fulfilment of all US orders within the 24 hour dispatch target.

Vida Global UK (Vida UK)

Vida UK is the sales distribution company for the Leckey products in the UK and Ireland. The Vida brand represents world class products, best in market service delivered by experts.

To offer choice Vida UK not only distributes the Leckey products but also products from other internationally recognized brands such as Kidwalk, Easystand, Ki Mobility, Made for Movement and Patron Mobility.

To offer advice Vida UK has created three dedicated and highly qualified Physiotherapy (PT), Occupational Therapy (OT) and Mobility teams who are available to advise on the right products to meet the child’s needs.

Vida PT offers an extensive range of products focused on upright movement such as standers, walkers and rehabilitation equipment that promote achievement through movement.

Vida OT offers an extensive range of occupational therapy equipment such as seating, bathing and toileting systems that assist children of all abilities to learn and develop the skills needed to carry out essential daily living activities.

Vida Mobility offers a comprehensive range of durable and versatile mobility solutions including wheelchairs, strollers and mobility seating solutions which are suitable for children with moderate to complex needs.

Vida Customer Care (CC) is committed to ensuring customers continue to enjoy and benefit from the equipment supplied by Vida UK, The Vida CC Team offer a range of servicing and refurbishment packages designed to maximize the useful life of the equipment and also offer the customer peace of mind that the equipment is safe to use and fully compliant with regulatory guidelines.

Vida Global Germany (Vida Germany)

Vida Germany is the sales distribution company for the Leckey products in Germany and Austria. Based outside Frankfurt the company has a small but dedicated team offering the same world class products and best in market service as Vida UK to a dealer network who work directly with the therapists and children.

As with Vida UK, Vida Germany not only distributes Leckey products but they also distribute other internationally recognised brands.

Our Mission, Vision, Values & Guiding Principles

Mission:We want to improve the quality of life of children with special needs. A life where each child is included and can access their full potential.

Vision:Children with special needs are amongst the most vulnerable in society with many varied and challenging needs. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading company working with the special needs community to research develop and co-create life changing innovative products for the children, their families and carers.

Values: Responsibility:Challenge and respect each other – Disagree and commit- Work hard, play fair – Set the example and expect the same from others.

Integrity:Be authentic – Self-aware, open, honest and trusting - give your word and keep your promises.

Passion:Make a difference - commit to our Mission, Vision and Values supporting and encouraging others by being positive, focused and determined.

Innovation:There is always a better way - create and drive change by fostering an environment where it is safe and rewarding to try, invent and continuously improve.

Guiding principles:

Customer focus: Listen, learn and support the community – understand their needs and work with them to develop solutions.

Agility: Be fast, brave and responsive – lead the way and react quickly to change.

Teamwork: Together we make a difference - build relationships and collaborate, co-creating solutions with people who share our vision and values.

Intelligence:Research and develop new technologies, commercial opportunities and build data – it helps us make better choices.

Leckey (Products) Vision:Leckey make market leading innovative products driven by research and technology for kids with special needs. Our goals are to design and produce clinically and technically superior products that improve their Mobility, Ability and Participation.

FireFly Vision:FireFly is our direct to parent, on-line, low cost ecommerce platform and community forum. Our mission and aspirations go beyond the child’s ability and mobility to include participation and social inclusion. FireFly will work with the community to campaign for change and co-create unique, innovative, life changing products. Our focus is on special needs family participation helping family’s lead normal lives and the kids reach their full potential.

Vida Vision: Vida is our global distribution company committed to providing more choice and better service. Vida aim is to supply the best products from around the world, including Leckey, delivered with expertise and ‘best in market’ customer experience. Vida OT (Occupational Therapist), PT (Physiotherapist) and Mobility divisions drive our clinical and technical authority strategies in the UK & Ireland. Vida Europe is our direct to dealer channel in Europe with sales presence in Germany, Austria and the Netherlands.

Job Description

Job Title: / Design Director / Date Reviewed: / 19th September 2016
Department: / Design / Reporting To: / Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports / Design Engineering Manager
Project Lead / Current Job Holder: / To be appointed
Role Summary:
Lead and manage a product design team to design, develop and execute new product development and manage the existing product range. The Design Director will have full responsibilityfor the design workflow, team structure and design processes that will enable streamlined collaboration between design and other key internal departments and deliver world class products to market on time.
Main Responsibilities:
  • Lead the Design Team, collaborating with product management and other key stakeholders to understand our customer’s needs and develop world class products.
  • Play a central and proactive role in the Leadership Team developing strategic direction and our product development programme.
  • Direct and manage the product developmentprocesses and design project workflow delivering on key milestones and budgets.
  • Lead,inspire andmentor the Design Team harnessing their creativity and ideationby fostering a collaborative, productive, and positive environment.
  • Direct and manage the individual performance and development plans of team members and be actively engaged in their personal development.
  • Create and develop clear and identifiable corporate product language across the product portfolio.
  • Hold regular reviews with the CEO on project progress and team development.
  • Lead communication sessions updating the Leadership Team and management on product development activities.
  • Ensure all company products comply will thenecessary standards, quality requirements and international guidelines.
  • Develop, build and manage relationships with key external partners.
  • Initiate and manage product intellectual property protection.
  • Providecompleteand accuratetechnical outputsfor internal manufacturing or third party manufacturers.
  • Support the company’s lean programs improving the cost effectiveness, ease of manufacture and quality of the company’s products and processes.
  • Supportthe purchasing team in the sourcing new technologies, materials and vetting new suppliers.
  • Support Finance in the identification, preparation and processing of grant applications.

Key Results Areas:
  • Company direction and product development pipeline
  • World class products that support our brand and satisfy customer requirements
  • Design Team development and work satisfaction
  • New product launch deadlines and budgets

Key Relationships:
  • Chief Executive Officer
  • Design Manager and Design Team
  • Product Manager
  • Marketing Director
  • Firefly Sales & Marketing Director
  • Operations Director
  • Technical Research Manager
  • Sales Director
  • Clinical Research Manager
  • Distribution partners
  • Invest NI
  • University & Clinical Contacts

Person Specification

Job Title: / Design Director / Date Reviewed: / 19th September 2016
Department: / Design / Reporting To: / Chief Executive Officer
Direct Reports / Design Engineering Manager
Project Lead / Current Job Holder: / To be appointed
Our company values are in inherent in our ways of work and all our team members are expected to live up to these values in their daily work with us and are an implied term in all of our roles. Our values are outlined earlier in the application pack.
Essential Criteria:
  • 5+ years of experience in a senior lead product design or product management role
  • 5+ years of experience leading a large design team collaborating with multiple mission-critical areas of the company
  • 5+ years of experience as a product designer with proven experience designingcomplex products from concept through to full production
  • Ability to create and work towards an overall product design vision that meets and enhances business goals across the company
  • A thorough understanding of manufacturing processes including fabric, plastics and metal fabrication
  • Exceptional concepting, visualisation and problem solving skills
  • Strong leadership, team development, communication and interpersonal skills
  • Meticulous organisation and planning ability with an eye for detail
  • Fully competent in 3D CAD modelling and experience of CADCAM. Preferably Solidworks
  • Fully competent in the Microsoft Office suite of products – Excel, Word, Powerpoint & Outlook
Desirable Criteria:
  • Experience of the medical device industry & developing products to ISO 13845
  • Experience of the development of products for children with special needs

Core Behaviours & Competencies

At Leckey, our values, behaviours and competence is just as important as our performance. The following areas have been identified as key to this role at a leadership level. They’re not listed in any particular order but the majority will form the basis of the selection process.