Job Overview
Paxman Joineries is a well-established joinery workshop in Shoeburyness, crafting high-quality bespoke furniture, windows, and doors. We take pride in our craftsmanship, attention to detail and personal approach — creating beautiful, lasting pieces for clients across London and the South East.
Due to the continued development of our workshop team, we are looking for an experienced Workshop Foreman to take a key role within the business.
This is a hands-on position, ideal for a highly skilled joiner who enjoys producing exceptional work but is also ready to take responsibility for supporting, guiding and developing others.
Working closely with the Workshop Manager and Team Leaders, you will help ensure work flows smoothly through the mill and bench areas, quality standards remain consistently high and the team has the support and direction they need to deliver outstanding bespoke joinery.
We are looking for someone who can bring experience, structure and leadership to the workshop — someone who leads by example, sets high standards and helps create a positive, productive working environment.
The Role
You will remain actively involved in manufacturing bespoke joinery while taking day-to-day responsibility for the bench joinery team.
You’ll act as a first point of contact for bench joiners, helping with technical queries, maintaining standards, monitoring progress and ensuring jobs move efficiently through the workshop.
This role would suit someone who takes pride not only in their own craftsmanship, but in helping others achieve the same high standards.
All candidates MUST have extensive bench joinery experience, ideally within a bespoke or high-end joinery environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Manufacture bespoke joinery from detailed drawings with accuracy and care
- Lead, support and motivate the bench joinery team
- Set clear expectations around quality, productivity and workshop standards
- Allocate, organise and monitor work in line with workshop priorities
- Monitor progress and help keep jobs moving efficiently through the bench area
- Provide guidance and support with technical queries and problem-solving
- Ensure quality standards are maintained throughout production
- Carry out checks to ensure work meets specifications before completion
- Address day-to-day issues fairly and confidently when standards are not being met
- Encourage accountability while maintaining a positive team culture
- Support the training and development of apprentices and less experienced team members
- Encourage good working practices, efficiency and continuous improvement
- Promote safe working practices and a clean, organised workshop environment
- Work closely with the Workshop Manager to achieve production targets without compromising craftsmanship
About You
- Extensive experience as a Bench Joiner in a bespoke or high-end joinery environment is essential
- Previous experience supervising, leading or mentoring others would be advantageous
- Strong technical knowledge and ability to interpret drawings and cutting sheets
- Excellent woodworking skills with exceptional attention to detail
- Confident supporting others and making practical decisions
- Able to gain respect through knowledge, fairness and leading by example
- Confident having honest conversations and addressing issues when required
- Calm, approachable and able to remain professional under pressure
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Reliable, hardworking and takes pride in your work and your team’s success
What We Offer
- Competitive hourly rate (depending on experience)
- Regular overtime paid at time and a half
- 21 days holiday + 8 bank holidays
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Regular health checks
- Annual safety boot allowance
- Employee referral scheme
- Supportive, skilled team environment with varied, interesting work
- Opportunity to play a key role in the continued development of our workshop
This is not an office-based management role — you will remain hands-on at the bench while using your experience to support, guide and develop the team around you.
If you’re an experienced joiner who takes pride in precision, craftsmanship and helping others achieve high standards, we’d love to hear from you.
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Referral programme
Work Location: In person
