Joinery Workshop Manager

Building Careers UK Ltd; Wigan; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Excellent benefits

Company pension

Career development

Job summary

Building Careers UK Ltd is recruiting an experienced Joinery Workshop Manager in Wigan. You will lead a busy bespoke joinery workshop, ensuring production is planned, delivered safely and to high quality. You will work with Design, Project Management and Commercial teams to align programmes and drive efficiency.

The role requires leadership, strong technical knowledge of joinery manufacturing and a focus on process improvement, waste reduction and on-time delivery.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing production in bespoke joinery or specialist manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of traditional and modern woodworking techniques.
• Experience with solid surface and laminate products.
• Ability to interpret detailed drawings for manufacturing.
• Proven experience leading and developing a workshop team.
• Experience planning production against deadlines.
• Strong health and safety understanding.

Responsibilities

• Plan and manage the workshop production programme, coordinating manufacture with site dates.
• Oversee workshop capacity, bottlenecks and resource needs.
• Translate drawings into cutting lists and machine programs.
• Lead a team and set daily/weekly production priorities.
• Monitor waste, costs and efficiency; drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure safe, compliant and well-organised workshop operations.
• Collaborate with Design, Project Management and Commercial teams.

Skills

Workshop management

Team leadership

Health & safety

Production planning

Cost control

Drawing interpretation

CAD/CAM

Solid surface/laminate knowledge

Materials procurement

Microsoft Office

Tools

CAD/CAM software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Joinery Workshop Manager

Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester

Salary: £45,000-£55,000 + Excellent Benefits PAckage

Job Type: Permanent

About the Company

Our client is an established North West construction and fit-out business operating across commercial and industrial, retail and leisure, public sector, and specialist and bespoke sectors.

A key part of the business is its in-house bespoke joinery manufacturing facility, producing high-quality fitted and loose joinery for its own fit-out and refurbishment projects, as well as supply-only and supply-and-install packages for external clients.

The workshop also manufactures certified timber fire-rated doorsets, providing an important specialist manufacturing capability within the wider business. The company has a strong focus on quality, technical standards, continuous improvement and developing its people.

The Role

We are looking to appoint an experienced Joinery Workshop Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of a busy bespoke joinery workshop.

This is a hands-on management position, responsible for ensuring production is planned, organised and delivered efficiently, safely and to the required quality standards.

You will lead a skilled team of bench joiners, semi-skilled workers and key operatives, while working closely with the Design, Project Management and Commercial teams to ensure manufacturing programmes align with project requirements.

The successful candidate will have a strong background in bespoke joinery manufacturing, with the technical knowledge and leadership ability to manage production, improve processes, control costs and maintain high standards of workmanship.

Key Responsibilities

Production Planning & Programme

• Plan and manage the workshop production programme, coordinating manufacture against site installation and delivery dates.
• Manage workshop capacity and workload, identifying potential bottlenecks and resource requirements.
• Work closely with Design and Project Management teams to ensure drawings, specifications and approvals are in place before production.
• Provide realistic manufacturing lead times during tender and pre-construction stages.
• Monitor production against programme and report progress, risks and mitigation to senior management.
• Coordinate deliveries to site, ensuring joinery arrives correctly sequenced, protected and ready for installation.

Workshop & Manufacturing Management

• Take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the bespoke joinery workshop.
• Ensure the workshop operates in a safe, organised and efficient manner.
• Develop and improve manufacturing processes, workflow and machine utilisation.
• Oversee the accurate translation of drawings into cutting lists, CAD/CAM files and machine programmes.
• Manage the manufacture of solid surface, laminate, veneered and solid timber products.
• Resolve technical and manufacturing queries, particularly on complex or non-standard items.
• Monitor material usage and waste, implementing measures to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

Fire-Rated Doorsets

• Take responsibility for the manufacture of certified timber fire-rated doorsets.
• Ensure all manufacturing is completed strictly in accordance with approved specifications and certification requirements.
• Maintain appropriate manufacturing records, traceability and labelling.
• Prepare for and support independent certification audits.
• Work closely with the Passive Fire team regarding doorset scheduling, technical requirements and delivery dates.

Team Leadership

• Lead, allocate and supervise the workshop team.
• Set clear daily and weekly production priorities.
• Establish and monitor KPIs covering output, quality, waste and programme performance.
• Identify training and development requirements across the workshop.
• Maintain training and competence records and support apprentices through their development.
• Manage attendance, timekeeping, holidays and day-to-day people matters alongside HR.
• Build a positive, professional and productive workshop culture.

Quality Assurance

• Implement and maintain robust workshop QA systems and processes.
• Ensure all manufactured items are checked against drawings, dimensions, templates and specifications before leaving the workshop.
• Work with Design and Project Management teams to approve benchmark and sample items before wider production.
• Investigate quality issues and site snags, identifying root causes and implementing preventative measures.
• Maintain consistently high standards of workmanship and finish.

Materials, Procurement & Cost Control

• Plan and order materials, boards, solid surfaces, ironmongery and consumables in line with production requirements.
• Manage workshop stock levels, storage and material handling.
• Build strong relationships with key suppliers.
• Work alongside the Commercial team on pricing, alternatives and value engineering.
• Monitor labour hours and material costs against agreed allowances.
• Identify and report cost variances and opportunities for improved efficiency.

Plant, Machinery & Health & Safety

• Ensure workshop machinery is maintained, serviced, guarded and safe to use.
• Ensure statutory inspection and examination requirements are met.
• Manage wood dust control, extraction and associated RPE requirements.
• Ensure risk assessments, COSHH assessments and safe systems of work are current and followed.
• Deliver and record toolbox talks.
• Ensure workshop operatives are appropriately trained and authorised to use machinery.
• Work closely with the Health, Safety and Compliance team on inspections, incidents and continual improvement.

Requirements

• Proven experience managing production within a bespoke joinery or specialist manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of traditional and modern woodworking techniques.
• Experience working with solid surface and laminate products.
• Strong understanding of bespoke joinery manufacturing and the ability to interpret detailed drawings.
• Proven experience leading, allocating and developing a skilled workshop team.
• Experience planning production and managing workloads against deadlines.
• Strong understanding of workshop health and safety requirements.
• Commercially aware with the ability to manage labour, materials and production costs.
• Experience with quality assurance processes and manufacturing controls.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills.
• Reliable, organised and proactive approach to work.

What's on Offer

• £45,000-£55,000 salary
• Excellent Benefits Package.
• Permanent position within an established North West construction and fit-out business.
• Opportunity to take ownership of a specialist bespoke joinery manufacturing operation.
• The opportunity to develop production processes, capacity and capability.
• Long-term career development and training opportunities.
• Company pension and employee benefits.
• A key management position with genuine influence over workshop performance and growth.

Building Careers UK is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.