Job Description
Production Manager - Bespoke Joinery
East Midlands
£50,000 - £55,000
Monday to Friday Days
SF Recruitment are working with an established specialist manufacturer in Leicestershire to recruit a Production Manager for their bespoke joinery operation. This is a key appointment within a business delivering high-quality, one-off joinery packages into the commercial market. Due to the nature of their work, previous experience within bespoke joinery is essential.
This isn't a high-volume manufacturing environment where the same products run repeatedly. Projects are individually designed and manufactured to customer requirements, so we're looking for somebody who understands the complexities of taking bespoke joinery from drawing through to finished product. You could already be operating as a Production or Workshop Manager, or you may be an experienced Joiner/Supervisor who has the technical knowledge and leadership capability to take the next step.
The role
You'll take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the workshop, leading a skilled team across joinery, machining, and associated production activities. Working closely with Design, Project Management and Purchasing, you'll make sure projects are properly planned before they reach the shopfloor and are then manufactured safely, efficiently, on time and to the required quality.
Responsibilities will include:
- Planning and scheduling multiple bespoke joinery projects through the workshop
- Managing and developing a skilled production team
- Monitoring labour hours, materials, and progress against project requirements
- Reviewing drawings and cutting lists before release into production
- Using your joinery knowledge to identify potential manufacturing issues before they impact delivery
- Working closely with Design and Project teams to ensure projects are practical and achievable from a manufacturing perspective
- Maintaining consistently high standards of quality throughout production
- Managing performance, attendance, training and development across the workshop
- Supporting the development of apprentices and less experienced members of the team
- Ensuring machinery, equipment, housekeeping and H&S standards are maintained
- Taking responsibility for the effective flow of materials and finished goods through the operation
- Identifying opportunities to improve workshop processes, productivity, and efficiency
- Playing an active role within the wider management team and contributing to future operational improvements
What we're looking for
Bespoke joinery experience is crucial for this appointment.
You'll need a strong understanding of how complex, one-off joinery is manufactured and the challenges that come with producing to individual drawings, specifications, budgets, and deadlines. We're particularly interested in speaking with people who have experience within areas such as bespoke commercial joinery, high-end fit-out, architectural joinery, specialist furniture or similar made-to-order environments.
Alongside your technical knowledge, you'll ideally bring:
- Experience leading or supervising skilled joinery/manufacturing teams
- Strong workshop and production planning capability
- The ability to read and confidently challenge technical drawings
- An understanding of labour allocation, manufacturing hours and project deadlines
- Strong quality standards and attention to detail
- The confidence to manage experienced tradespeople and address performance issues when required
- A collaborative approach when working with Design, Projects, and other operational functions
The opportunity
This is an established business with a strong pipeline of secured work and ambitious plans for continued growth. The Production Manager will be given genuine responsibility for the workshop but will also have the opportunity to contribute at management level, helping shape how the production operation develops as the business grows.
If you're currently working within bespoke or architectural joinery and would be interested in taking responsibility for a skilled production operation, please apply!
