Job Description: Factory Floor Manager (Bespoke Joinery)
Reports To: Production Director / General Manager
Location: On-site (Factory Floor)
Position Type: Full-time, Permanent
Job Purpose
The Factory Floor Manager oversees the daily operations of a high-end, bespoke joinery manufacturing facility. This role ensures that custom high-value projects are fabricated safely, to premium architectural standards, on time, and within budget. As well as leading a skilled team of cabinet makers, joiners, and machine operators, bridging the gap between technical drawings and physical production, you will be expected to assit during the production of cabinetry and general duties to ensure the smooth running of projects.
Key ResponsibilitiesProduction & Workflow Management
- Schedule execution: Manage the daily production schedule to meet strict project deadlines.
- Resource allocation: Assign tasks to joiners based on skill level and project complexity.
- Drawing interpretation: Review technical CAD/Rod drawings to resolve fabrication issues early.
- Material management: Monitor timber, hardware, and consumable stock levels to avoid downtime.
Quality Control & Technical Leadership
- Benchmarking: Inspect components at critical stages (machining, assembly, finishing).
- Defect reduction: Maintain the zero-defect standard required for luxury bespoke joinery.
- Problem-solving: Guide bench joiners through complex construction or geometry challenges.
Team Leadership & Safety
- Supervision: Lead, motivate, and manage a small team of workshop staff and apprentices.
- Health & Safety: Enforce strict HSE compliance, including dust extraction and PPE usage.
- Machinery oversight: Ensure CNC machines, saws, and edgebanders are safely operated and maintained.
- Performance tracking: Conduct reviews, manage attendance, and identify skills gaps for training.
Required Skills & ExperienceTechnical Expertise
- Background: Minimum 5+ years of hands-on bench joinery or cabinet-making experience.
- Management: 2+ years in a supervisory or foreman role within a joinery workshop.
- Materials: Deep knowledge of hardwoods, softwoods, veneers, MDF, and specialist hardware.
- Machinery: Familiarity with traditional woodworking machinery and modern CNC routers.
Core Competencies
- Drawing literacy: Ability to flawlessly read and interpret architectural and manufacturing drawings.
- Organization: Excellent time management skills to handle multiple custom projects at once.
- Communication: Clear verbal and written skills to liaise with project managers and designers.
Preferred Qualifications
- NVQ Level 3 or City & Guilds qualification in Joinery/Cabinet Making.
- Valid First Aid at Work certificate.
- Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) Managing Safely certification.
Pay: From £45,000.00 per year
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Ditchling BN6 8SG: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- joinery management: 1 year (required)
Work Location: In person
