Note: This is based at Bush, Riverstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth.
Sheelan Kitchens Ltd is an established family-run business with over 38 years' experience designing, manufacturing and installing kitchens, wardrobes and bespoke fitted furniture. Based in Bush, Riverstown, Dundalk, our projects range from bespoke high-end kitchens to large-scale residential developments of 200+ homes.
Due to continued growth, we are creating a new senior position within the business and are seeking an experienced Technical Production Manager to join our team.
The Role
This is a key technical role sitting between our Sales & Design team and manufacturing operation.
You will take ownership of projects following design handover, ensuring each kitchen or fitted furniture project is technically correct, fully specified and properly prepared before being released for manufacture.
The role requires someone with strong practical knowledge of kitchen, cabinetry or joinery manufacture who can review a design and understand how it will actually be manufactured and installed.
You will work closely with our designers, CNC Programmer, Workshop Foreman, suppliers and management to identify and resolve potential issues before they reach production or site.
Key Responsibilities
- Review kitchen and fitted furniture designs prior to production.
- Check dimensions, appliances, door and panel sizes, clearances and other critical technical details.
- Identify potential design, manufacturing and installation issues and work with designers to resolve them.
- Review plumbing, electrical and other service requirements from a technical perspective.
- Break down and identify all doors, materials, hardware, fittings and components required for each project.
- Check stock availability and allocate materials/components where appropriate.
- Prepare and place purchase orders for project-specific materials and components.
- Monitor supplier lead times and source suitable alternatives where required, balancing quality, availability and cost.
- Prepare clear production information and technical notes for CNC, workshop and installation teams.
- Liaise with the CNC Programmer and Workshop Foreman to resolve technical queries.
- Ensure projects are complete and properly prepared before release to production.
- Monitor upcoming projects against planned production and installation dates.
- Over time, take increasing responsibility for production and installation scheduling.
- Provide technical support in resolving more complex manufacturing and installation issues.
- Identify recurring problems and opportunities to improve quality, efficiency and workflow across design, purchasing, production and installation.
- Work with management and our systems/process team to help develop and implement practical continuous improvements.
Experience & Skills Required
Relevant experience within the kitchen, cabinetry, fitted furniture or joinery industry is essential.
The successful candidate should have:
- Minimum 5 years' relevant industry experience.
- Strong technical understanding of kitchen/cabinet construction and manufacturing methods.
- Ability to interpret drawings and identify potential manufacturing or installation problems.
- Good knowledge of materials, doors, panels, hardware and components used within the industry.
- Strong attention to detail and practical problem-solving ability.
- Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Good commercial awareness when purchasing and dealing with suppliers.
- Strong communication skills and ability to work across design, manufacturing and installation teams.
- Good computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Full driving licence.
Experience with ArtiCAD, Cabinet Vision, Winner Design or similar kitchen/furniture software would be advantageous.
Previous hands-on cabinetmaking, kitchen manufacturing or installation experience would also be a significant advantage.
The Person
We're looking for someone who understands the complete journey from design through manufacture to installation.
You may currently be working as a Production Manager, Technical Manager, Senior Kitchen Designer, Cabinetmaker, Joinery Manager, Kitchen Installer or in a similar technical position.
Your current job title is less important than your ability to look at a kitchen design and understand whether it will work, how it will be manufactured, what is required to produce it and what potential problems need to be resolved before production begins.
You should be organised, technically minded and comfortable taking responsibility, while also looking for better ways of doing things.
Why Join Sheelan Kitchens?
This is a newly created senior position with the opportunity to make a genuine impact within an established and growing business.
Initially, you will work closely with the company owner to learn our products, suppliers, manufacturing methods and technical standards. As your knowledge develops, you will take increasing ownership of technical production, purchasing and scheduling responsibilities.
We are also investing in new software, systems and processes as the company grows, and you will have the opportunity to contribute practical industry knowledge to how these are developed.
For the right person, this is an opportunity to take on a high level of responsibility and develop a long-term senior role within the company.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £43,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company events
- Employee discount
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Newry BT34: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Kitchen/Joinery: 5 years (required)
Language:
- Fluent English (required)
Licence/Certification:
- Full Drivers Licence (required)
Work Location: In person
