Residential Designer — Custom Homes

Hi! My name is Chris Amato, and I am the Owner / Builder at CMM Custom Homes.

I love designing and building homes -- taking an idea, a client, a property, plans, budget, schedule, and trades, and turning all of it into a home a family will enjoy for years.

CMM has been designing and building homes along the Jersey Shore since 1983. We work throughout Monmouth and Ocean County towns like Avon-by-the-Sea, Belmar, Spring Lake, Sea Girt, Manasquan, Wall, Bay Head, Point Pleasant Beach, Brick, and more.

The Opportunity

We are looking to add a Residential Designer to our team.

This is not a decorating-only role.

We need someone who enjoys design, understands construction, communicates well with clients, and can help move projects from inspiration and selections through drawings, approvals, purchasing, field coordination, and construction.

Some days you may be creating mood boards and meeting with homeowners. Other days you may be updating drawings, reviewing tile layouts, coordinating vendors, tracking lead times, updating Buildertrend, or walking a jobsite with a Site Superintendent.

The right person is creative, organized, detail-oriented, practical, and comfortable taking ownership of the design process.

You will work closely with clients, Project Managers, Site Superintendents, Preconstruction, vendors, and trade partners.

What You'll Do

Client Experience, Design & Selections

• Guide homeowners through the design and selections process.
• Support design meetings and showroom visits.
• Help clients make confident decisions that balance style, function, budget, and schedule.
• Create inspiration boards, mood boards, samples, and presentations.
• Manage expectations around budgets, lead times, availability, and construction impact.

Design Documentation

• Create and update design drawings using Chief Architect, AutoCAD, or similar software.
• Develop plans, elevations, layouts, specifications, and supporting design documentation.
• Maintain design deliverables including mood boards, specifications, drawings, and presentation materials.
• Ensure information is accurate, complete, and available to the project team.

Buildertrend & Project Coordination

• Keep Buildertrend organized and current.
• Track selections, approvals, meeting notes, drawings, files, and related documentation.
• Review open design items and help keep projects moving.
• Coordinate design information between clients, vendors, Project Managers, and field teams.

Purchasing & Vendor Coordination

• Source products, materials, and finish selections.
• Request and review vendor pricing.
• Assist with bidding, proposals, approvals, and purchase orders.
• Track lead times, delivery schedules, and procurement status.
• Communicate risks and delays early.

Team Support

• Visit jobsites to review conditions and project progress.
• Coordinate with Site Superintendents and Project Managers.
• Help resolve design questions before installation.
• Participate in project walkthroughs and field reviews.
• Help ensure design intent is accurately executed during construction.

What We Expect Of You

• You are organized and follow up consistently.
• You communicate clearly and professionally.
• You understand details matter.
• You take ownership instead of waiting to be chased.
• You are comfortable balancing multiple projects and deadlines.
• You are interested in construction, not just finishes.
• You are solution-oriented and able to work through challenges without drama.
• You care about quality, client experience, and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience in residential interior design, custom homes, design-build, architecture, construction administration, or a related field preferred.
• Ability to read plans and understand residential construction details.
• Experience with Chief Architect, AutoCAD, or similar software preferred.
• Buildertrend experience is a plus.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills including Outlook, Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally to jobsites, showrooms, vendors, and the CMM office.

What We Offer

• The opportunity to work on beautiful custom homes along the Jersey Shore.
• Exposure to the entire design-build process.
• Collaboration with experienced builders, designers, Project Managers, and Site Superintendents, and Carpenters.
• Real responsibility and opportunity for growth.
• A team that is focused on continuous improvement and doing great work.
• Health, dental, vision, and life insurance with company contribution.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.

Compensation

Compensation will be based on experience, technical ability, construction knowledge, software proficiency, and overall fit.

Expected Range: $60,000 - $90,000 annually

Who This Is Not For

This is probably not the right role if you want:

• A decorating-only position.
• A highly predictable day.
• A narrow role with little construction involvement.
• A position where someone else owns all the follow-up.

Who This Is For

This is for someone who wants to be part of a serious design-build team, build strong client relationships, learn the construction side of design, and help create homes families will enjoy for years.

At CMM, our values matter:

Passionate. Be Optimistic. Innovative. Quality. Details Matter. Be the Builder.

If those words mean something to you, we would like to meet you.

Equal Opportunity Employer

CMM Custom Homes is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a professional, respectful, and inclusive workplace.