Production foreman / Manager

Priority Exhibitions; Coventry; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hands-on role

Direct owner collaboration

Job summary

Priority Exhibitions in Coventry is seeking an experienced foreman / production manager to join our team. This hands-on role focuses on coordinating exhibition stand production, workshop flow, and site work to ensure projects are finished on time and to a high standard.

You will work with the owner and production team to keep jobs moving, communicate clearly, read drawings, manage planning, and support builds on site when required. CNC experience is a bonus.

Qualifications

• Experience in exhibition stand production and installation.
• Ability to read drawings and understand how stands go together.
• Hands-on, practical, and calm under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Help run the workshop and support live exhibition projects.
• Organise the production team day to day.
• Keep jobs moving through the workshop.
• Ensure clear communication between the office, workshop and site.
• Assist with site builds and breakdowns when required.
• Help with production planning and problem solving.

Skills

Exhibition stand production

Production planning

Team leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Reading drawings

Tools

CNC machinery

Job description

Priority Exhibitions is looking for an experienced foreman / production manager to join our team in Coventry.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who understands exhibition stand production, workshop flow, site work, and the pressure that comes with getting jobs finished properly and on time.

We already have a capable production team who know what they are doing. What we need is someone to help keep the jobs moving, keep communication clear, make sensible decisions day to day, and support the team both in the workshop and on site when needed.

The role

You will work alongside the business owner and the production team to help run the workshop and support live exhibition projects.

• Helping organise the production team day to day
• Keeping jobs moving through the workshop
• Making sure the team knows what needs doing and when
• Checking drawings, briefs, materials, and job details before work starts
• Helping solve practical problems before they become bigger issues
• Liaising with project managers, designers, suppliers, and site teams
• Supporting builds and breakdowns on site when required
• Making sure quality stays high and deadlines are met
• Keeping communication clear between the office, workshop, and site
• Helping with loading, prep, checking kit, and general production planning
• Making practical decisions when things change or problems come up

This is not a clipboard‑only role. You need to be comfortable getting involved when needed.

The person we are looking for

We are looking for someone with proper exhibition industry experience.

You may have worked as a foreman, workshop manager, production manager, bench hand, site lead, or senior exhibition carpenter. The job title is less important than the experience.

You need to be:

• Experienced in exhibition stand production and installation
• Practical, organised, and calm under pressure
• Good at communicating with workshop staff, office staff, and site crews
• Comfortable making decisions and keeping jobs moving
• Able to read drawings and understand how stands go together
• Used to working to deadlines
• Hands‑on when needed
• Reliable, straight‑talking, and easy to work with
• Able to spot problems early and help find sensible solutions

Experience with CNC work would be a bonus, but it is not essential.

What the job involves

The role is based mainly at our Coventry office and workshop, with site support required when needed.

You will be helping run production from the workshop side, but also making sure the link between office, production, and site is strong. The team is fairly self‑sufficient, so this is not about standing over people. It is about keeping everyone clear, organised, and moving in the same direction.

Some days will be workshop planning. Some days will be problem solving. Some days may involve being on site, helping make sure the job gets delivered properly.

What we offer

• A well‑established exhibition company
• A practical, experienced team
• Varied work across exhibition and event projects
• A hands‑on role with real responsibility
• The chance to work closely with the owner and help shape how production runs
• A straightforward working environment without unnecessary corporate nonsense

Location

Coventry

Site work required when needed

Pay

The package will depend on experience, ability, and how much responsibility the person is ready to take on.

Experience required

Exhibition production or exhibition site experience is essential.

CNC experience is a bonus.