Operations Manager - Bespoke Joinery

NW Recruitment Services Ltd; Preston; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company vehicle

Company laptop and mobile phone

Workplace pension scheme

Healthshield CashPlan reward benefit

21 days' annual leave plus bank holid

Company events

Free on-site parking

Job summary

NW Recruitment Services Ltd are supporting an established specialist joinery business in Preston with an Operations Manager appointment. The role oversees delivery from design and manufacture through installation, driving planning, coordination and operational improvement.

Predominantly office-based with regular site surveys and meetings; working closely with senior management, Commercial, Design, Project Management and Workshop teams.

Qualifications

• Proven project management or production management experience.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within bespoke joinery project management.
• Previous experience within the joinery manufacturing industry is essential.
• Accredited joinery or construction qualification such as an NVQ.
• Full, clean UK driving licence and distance within 30-40 miles of Preston.

Responsibilities

• Line manage Project Managers, providing guidance on project delivery and issue resolution.
• Lead and manage the Design Department, overseeing drawings and timelines.
• Review drawings during the design process and before client approvals.
• Review tender drawings and provide design/joinery guidance during handovers.
• Collaborate with clients during design and site surveys and coordinate meetings.
• Coordinate with Workshop Management to ensure design/production alignment.
• Identify early involvement from specialist suppliers to protect timescales.
• Chair weekly operations meetings on site labour, capacity and delivery.
• Develop and implement company processes and documentation with senior management.
• Support health and safety documentation and liaise with H&S consultants.

Skills

Project management

Production management

Leadership

Joinery manufacturing

Site coordination

Education

NVQ in Joinery/Construction

Job description

Operations Manager - Bespoke Joinery

£46 - £56k (DOE) + company vehicle | Permanent, full-time position

NW Recruitment Services Ltd are exclusively supporting an established specialist business within the bespoke joinery and high-end interiors sector to recruit an experienced Operations Manager.

This is a key management position responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of projects from design and manufacture through to installation and completion, while driving effective planning, coordination and operational improvement across the business.

The role

Predominantly office-based, with regular site attendance required for surveys, meetings and to support Project Managers. The successful candidate will work closely with senior management, Commercial, Design, Project Management and Workshop teams.

Previous experience within joinery manufacturing, together with hands-on awareness of bespoke joinery installation, is essential.

Key responsibilities

• Line manage Project Managers, providing guidance on project delivery, procurement coordination and issue resolution.
• Lead and manage the Design Department, monitoring workloads, prioritising drawing output and ensuring accurate drawings are issued within agreed timescales.
• Review drawings throughout the design process and before revisions are submitted to clients for approval or sign-off.
• Review tender drawings and provide design and joinery construction guidance during project handovers.
• Examine project information and drawings at an early stage, identifying queries, omissions and missing information.
• Engage with clients during project design and site surveys, coordinating meetings between internal teams and client representatives.
• Work closely with Workshop Management to ensure effective communication and coordination between Design and Production.
• Identify where early involvement from specialist suppliers is required to protect project timescales and delivery dates.
• Chair weekly operational meetings covering site labour requirements, production capacity, workload priorities and project delivery.
• Review, develop and implement company processes, procedures and documentation alongside senior management.
• Regularly review Health & Safety documentation and liaise with external H&S consultants where required.
• Support performance management across Project Management and Design, including training requirements, appraisals and improvement plans.
• Assist with recruitment for site-based operatives, Project Management and Design positions, including interviewing, selection and onboarding.
• Work closely with senior management and Commercial teams to ensure high-quality products and projects are delivered efficiently and safely.

What we're looking for

• Proven Project Management or Production Management experience.
• Minimum 5 years' experience within bespoke joinery project management is required; additional experience would be advantageous.
• Previous experience within the joinery manufacturing industry is essential.
• Good understanding of bespoke joinery installation and site-based requirements.
• Accredited Joinery or Construction qualification, such as an NVQ.
• Current SMSTS or SSSTS qualification would be beneficial; recently expired certification will also be considered.
• Full, clean UK driving licence.
• Applicants should be located within approximately 30-40 miles of Preston.

Package & benefits

• Company vehicle | Company laptop and mobile phone | Workplace pension scheme | Healthshield CashPlan reward benefit.
• 21 days' annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Company events.
• Free/on-site parking.

Working hours

• Monday-Thursday: 7:30am-4:30pm
• Friday: 7:30am-3:00pm
• Total: 41 hours per week

If you have the required bespoke joinery, project/production management and operational leadership experience, we'd like to hear from you.