Interior Designer

Position: Interior Designer

Company: Food Concepts
Location: Cape Town, with travel to project sites as required

Role Overview

Food Concepts is looking for a creative, detail-oriented and commercially minded Interior Designer to support the design and development of restaurant, hospitality and food-service spaces.

The successful candidate will be responsible for translating brand identity, operational flow and customer experience into practical, visually appealing and cost-effective interior design solutions. This role will involve concept development, space planning, finishes, furniture, fixtures, décor, supplier coordination and project support from concept through to completion.

Key Responsibilities

The Interior Designer will be responsible for:

• Developing interior design concepts aligned with the Food Concepts brand and individual restaurant or project identity.
• Preparing mood boards, colour palettes, material boards and visual presentations.
• Interpreting design briefs and translating them into functional, attractive and commercially viable spaces.
• Assisting with restaurant and hospitality space planning, including front-of-house, back-of-house and customer flow.
• Reviewing and refining floor plans to optimise seating, circulation, service areas and staff workflow.
• Preparing or assisting with technical drawings, layouts, elevations and design specifications.
• Producing schedules for finishes, furniture, lighting, décor, fixtures and fittings.
• Sourcing furniture, décor, lighting, finishes and interior items.
• Liaising with suppliers, contractors and service providers to obtain pricing, samples and lead times.
• Assisting with cost comparisons, procurement tracking and delivery coordination.
• Attending site visits and project meetings as required.
• Monitoring design implementation to ensure work is completed according to approved concepts and specifications.
• Identifying design issues on site and assisting with practical solutions.
• Working within approved project budgets and deadlines.
• Maintaining consistency across Food Concepts spaces while allowing for unique brand or site-specific requirements.

Minimum Requirements

The ideal candidate should have:

• A diploma or degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture or a related field.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in interior design, preferably within hospitality, restaurants, retail or commercial spaces.
• Strong understanding of space planning, finishes, furniture, lighting and décor.
• Experience working with suppliers, contractors and project teams.
• Ability to read and interpret architectural and technical drawings.
• Proficiency in design software such as AutoCAD, SketchUp, Revit, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign or similar.
• Strong presentation skills and the ability to communicate design ideas clearly.
• A valid driver’s licence and willingness to travel to sites when and if required.

Preferred Experience

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Previous experience designing restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels or food-service spaces.
• Knowledge of shopfitting, joinery, lighting design and custom furniture.
• Experience with South African suppliers and contractors.
• Understanding of health, safety and operational requirements in hospitality spaces.
• Experience preparing FF&E schedules and procurement documentation.

Skills and Competencies

The successful candidate should be:

• Creative, detail-oriented and visually strong.
• Practical and commercially aware.
• Highly organised and able to manage multiple projects.
• Able to work under pressure and meet strict deadlines.
• A strong communicator with good interpersonal skills.
• Budget-conscious and solution-driven.
• Able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Passionate about hospitality, restaurants, brand experience and customer flow.

Candidate Submission Requirements

Please request the following from suitable candidates:

• Updated CV.
• Portfolio of relevant interior design work.
• Examples of hospitality, restaurant, commercial or retail projects, where available.
• Contactable references.
• Salary expectation.
• Notice period.
• Availability for interviews.
• Recent head and shoulder picture with 1 minute introduction video

Suitable candidates who have strong hospitality, restaurant, retail or commercial interior design experience, with the ability to work in a fast-paced, project-based environment.

[email protected]

Pay: R20 000,00 - R35 000,00 per month

Work Location: In person