Joinery Manager
Job Description
Our client is fit out contractor who have recently acquired a live joinery business, with premises and plant in place and the workshop fit-out currently underway. The workshop is not yet in full production, which creates an opportunity for the right person to join at an exciting time and help shape the standards, working rhythm and operating discipline of the workshop from the outset.
\nThe ambition is to create a credible, high-quality and commercially controlled joinery manufacturing capability, supporting both Bodhi Solutions projects and external client opportunities.
Role Purpose\nThe Joinery Workshop Manager will be responsible for the safe, efficient and effective creation of bespoke joinery to the required quality standard and to the clients satisfaction.
\nThe role requires a practical workshop leader who can organise people, plan work, protect quality, maintain safety and ensure that finished joinery is manufactured in a simple, controlled and professional way. The person must be comfortable in the workshop, in the office and, where required, in front of clients.
\nIn the early stages, the successful candidate must be prepared to be hands-on where required. As workload and labour grow, this hands-on requirement is expected to reduce, with the role becoming increasingly focused on workshop leadership, production planning, quality control, technical direction and team management.
Core Responsibilities1. Workshop leadership and production delivery\nLead the day-to-day operation of the joinery workshop.
\nPlan, organise and coordinate workshop activity so that work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standard.
\nPut workshop staff to work clearly, ensuring each person understands the task, method, quality requirement and programme expectation.
\nMaintain a productive workshop rhythm, avoiding wasted time, poor sequencing, unnecessary double handling and unclear instructions.
\nEnsure the workshop is organised, disciplined, tidy and capable of supporting high-quality production.
2. Safe working and workshop discipline\nMaintain a safe workshop environment, including good housekeeping, safe use of machinery, appropriate PPE, guarding, extraction and correct working practices.
\nEnsure operatives are properly instructed, competent for the tasks allocated and working in line with agreed safety requirements.
\nSupport RAMS, COSHH and workshop compliance requirements where needed, keeping controls practical and proportionate.
\nChallenge unsafe working, poor standards or inappropriate use of plant and equipment.
3. Quality and client satisfaction\nTake ownership of workshop quality, ensuring bespoke joinery is manufactured to the agreed design, specification, finish and standard.
\nCheck work at appropriate stages rather than relying on final inspection only.
\nEnsure finished products are properly protected, stored, labelled and prepared for delivery or installation.
\nCreate a culture where quality is owned by the workshop team and defects, rework and avoidable site issues are reduced.
\nKeep client satisfaction at the centre of workshop delivery, balancing quality, practicality, programme and cost.
4. Technical direction and buildability\nReview drawings, specifications, schedules and client requirements from a practical joinery manufacturing perspective.
\nDirect the detailed design, setting out and manufacturing approach for bespoke items.
\nIdentify buildability issues, missing information, overcomplicated details or practical risks before production starts.
\nWork with designers, project managers, estimators and clients to resolve technical details and protect the finished product.
\nSupport simpler, more efficient ways of manufacturing without compromising quality or client expectations.
5. Planning, resources and materials\nPlan the sequence of manufacture, including cutting, machining, assembly, finishing, storage and dispatch.
\nAssess the labour, plant and material requirements needed to manufacture bespoke items and packages of work.
\nProvide clear workshop input to the estimating or commercial team so they can prepare tenders, quotations or cost plans.
\nIdentify material requirements, long-lead items, specialist components, tooling needs and workshop constraints early.
\nCoordinate material availability so labour is not committed before the job is ready to progress.
6. People management and team development\nDirect, support and develop joiners, machinists and workshop operatives.
\nSet clear expectations for productivity, workmanship, behaviour and safety.
\nCoach less experienced team members and demonstrate standards where required.
\nIdentify skills gaps, training needs and future labour requirements as the workshop grows.
\nManage performance issues early, fairly and professionally.
7. Office, project team and client interface\nWork professionally with project managers, estimators, commercial staff and senior leadership.
\nAttend meetings, support site visits or speak with clients where required.
\nProvide clear progress updates, highlight risks early and avoid over-promising on programme, cost or capability.
\nTranslate client and project requirements into practical workshop activity.
Key Capabilities Required\nStrong practical joinery and workshop manufacturing knowledge.
\nAbility to lead a workshop team and maintain daily production control.
\nAbility to plan work simply and efficiently from drawings, specifications and client requirements.
\nAbility to direct detailed design, setting out and buildability decisions.
\nStrong quality focus and understanding of what good bespoke joinery looks like.
\nStrong safety awareness in a workshop and machinery environment.
\nCommercial awareness, including the impact of labour, waste, rework, materials, sequencing and delay.
\nConfidence working with office-based teams and speaking to clients where required.
\nAbility to provide practical resource input for estimating without needing to be the commercial estimator.
\nWillingness to be hands-on in the early stages while the workshop team and workload grow.
Key Attributes\nPractical, credible and respected by tradespeople.
\nOrganised, calm and able to create structure without overcomplicating matters.
\nQuality-focused, safety-conscious and commercially aware.
\nClear and direct in communication.
\nComfortable in a growing business where not everything is already fully established.
\nProfessional with clients and office colleagues, but grounded in workshop reality.
\nFocused on simplicity, efficiency, accountability and client satisfaction.
\nPrepared to take ownership and help Bodhi Bespoke grow into a controlled, scalable workshop operation.
Essential Experience\nExperience running, supervising or strongly leading a joinery workshop or production team.
\nExperience manufacturing bespoke or high-quality commercial joinery.
\nExperience reading drawings, interpreting specifications and planning manufacture.
\nExperience managing people, quality, safety and workflow in a workshop environment.
\nExperience coordinating labour, materials, plant, tooling and production sequence.
Desirable Experience\nExperience in commercial fit-out, retail, hospitality, leisure, workplace or similar environments.
\nExperience with CNC, automated machinery, spray finishing, specialist finishes or certified manufacturing processes.
\nExperience supporting tender, quotation or pre-construction activity through practical workshop input.
\nExperience working in an SME or growing business where systems and standards are still being embedded.
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