Workshop Manager (Lead Carpenter /maker)
Salary: £40,000 – £45,000 depending on experience
Job type: Full-time, Monday to Friday
Location: BLOQS, Unit 2 Anthony Way, London, N18 3QT
Reports to: Creative Director
We are looking for a highly experienced maker to take on a key leadership role in our workshop. This is not a desk-based production role – we need someone who thrives on the workshop floor, leading teams of makers to deliver beautifully crafted joinery and metalwork projects.
About BLOQS
BLOQS is where design meets making.
We’re Europe’s largest open-access factory — a place where makers, manufacturers, and creative professionals come together to turn ambitious ideas into reality.
From woodwork and metal fabrication to digital production and finishing, our facilities bring together professional-grade machinery, tools, and technical expertise under one roof. We empower a diverse community of members and businesses to produce incredible work in a safe, collaborative, and inspiring environment.
About BLOQS Create
BLOQS Create is a full-service fabrication and machining studio delivering bespoke interiors, public-realm works, furniture, and more — combining expert craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology. Operating from Europe’s largest open-access factory, BLOQS Create brings together traditional craft and modern digital manufacturing — blending CNC machining, metalwork, woodwork, and finishing under one roof. Every project reflects our commitment to sustainability, material efficiency, and exceptional quality, enabling designers, architects, and makers to turn bold ideas into reality.
About the role
This is a hands-on position suited to a workshop manager, senior carpenter, fabricator, or maker who can both deliver high-quality work and manage a team. You will take ownership of day-to-day workshop operations, balancing practical making with planning and coordination across metalwork, woodwork. CNC machining and finishing.
Key responsibilities
- Lead, motivate, and support a team of makers on the workshop floor, setting clear expectations and maintaining high standards
- Plan and schedule jobs, ensuring efficient workflow across multiple projects and priorities
- Plan and manage space requirements ensuring that use workshop space efficiently and productively
- Coordinate labour, machinery, and materials to maximise productivity and minimise downtime
- Order materials and manage stock levels, ensuring availability for the job at the right time
- Maintain and enforce quality control across all work leaving the workshop
- Troubleshoot technical challenges and provide practical, hands-on solutions
- Work closely with technical designers, project managers, and clients where needed to ensure build intent is met
- Ensure all health & safety procedures are followed and the workshop is a safe, organised environment
What we’re looking for
- 8+ years professional experience as a maker across wood, metal or multimaterials fabrication; or a recongnisedqualification
- Extensive hands-on workshop experience, expert in use of hand tools and modern machinery, with a great understanding of techniques and processes.
- Proven experience leading or mentoring a team in a workshop or production environment
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to plan, prioritise, and adapt schedules
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and translate them into practical builds. Experience with 3d modelling software is advantageous
- Experience working across a wide range of materials. A good understanding of construction methods and techniques in wood and metal is desired.
- Experience of organizing a workshop to maintain an efficient and safe working environment.
- An ability to problem-solve complex creative build projects, focusing on solutions and staying calm under pressure.
- Good communication skills and the ability to coordinate across teams
Important
This role is primarily shop-floor based and requires a strong presence in the workshop. We are not looking for a logistics or warehouse manager — we are specifically looking for an experienced craftsperson who can lead by example, stay close to the work, and actively contribute to builds on a daily basis.
Ideal background
- Senior Carpenter or metalworker ready to step into a leadership role
- Workshop Supervisor or Foreperson in a joinery or fabrication environment
- Lead Joiner or fabricator with experience coordinating teams and jobs
- Furniture Maker with team leadership and production experience
- Exhibition, set-build, or bespoke fabrication workshop lead
A BLOQS Person Is...
Bold, purpose-driven and unafraid to challenge convention or take decisive action.
Imaginative, curious, playful, and creative — turning fresh ideas into meaningful impact.
Honest, accountable, and committed to excellence in everything they do.
Collaborative, respectful, and driven by shared purpose and collective success.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
At BLOQS, we believe that diversity drives creativity. We are committed to building a team that reflects a wide range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We encourage applications from people of all identities, ages, experiences, and communities. We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels empowered, respected, and supported to do their best work.
Apply
To apply, please submit your CV through Indeed and tell us why this role at BLOQS Create is the right next step for you.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £40,000.00-£45,000.00 per year
Benefits:
Application question(s):
- Please provide a link to your portfolio, website, Instagram, or other examples of work that you have personally made or delivered.
- Are you able to commute regularly to our workshop at N18 3QT?
- How many years of experience do you have leading or supervising a workshop, fabrication, joinery, or production team? (Less than 3 years / 3-5 years / 5-8 years / 8+ years)
- Which of the following best describes your professional fabrication experience? (Primarily management/project management / Woodworking/joinery / Metal fabrication / Mixed-material fabrication (wood, metal and other materials))
- Are you confident reading technical drawings and translating them into workshop production? (Yes, regularly / Yes, occasionally / Limited experience / No)
- Do you currently have the unrestricted right to work in the UK? (Yes / No, I require sponsorship / No, I have work restrictions)
Work Location: In person
