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.

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• The opportunity to work on beautiful custom homes along the Jersey Shore.
• Exposure to the entire design-build process.
• Collaboration with…