Company Overview
Jack Nicholas Group Ltd is a UK manufacturer specialising in precision metal fabrication, bespoke steelwork, architectural metalwork and custom-engineered metal solutions.
We work across a range of sectors including construction, commercial, industrial, retail, architectural and joinery-led projects.
Our work includes retail display units, bespoke furniture, precision sheet metalwork, production welding, jig-based fabrication, architectural metalwork and fabricated assemblies.
As the business continues to grow, we are looking for a hands-on and proactive Workshop Manager / Workshop Supervisor to help lead the workshop team and support the smooth day-to-day running of production.
Role Overview
The Workshop Manager / Workshop Supervisor will be responsible for overseeing daily workshop operations, ensuring jobs are completed safely, efficiently, accurately and to the required quality standard.
This is a practical, hands-on role within a busy fabrication and metalwork environment.
The successful candidate will be expected to organise workloads, supervise staff, monitor production progress, check quality, resolve workshop issues and work closely with management, design, purchasing and office teams.
The role would suit someone with strong experience in fabrication, welding, sheet metalwork or metal manufacturing who is confident leading a team and keeping production moving.
Key Responsibilities
Workshop & Production Management
- Oversee the day-to-day running of the workshop, working 50 to 60 hours a week
- Plan, prioritise and allocate workloads to meet production schedules and customer deadlines.
- Supervise fabrication, welding, sheet metal and general workshop activities.
- Monitor job progress and ensure work is completed on time.
- Support production welding, jig-based work and repeat manufacturing processes.
- Ensure machinery, tools and fabrication equipment are used correctly and safely.
- Help reduce downtime, rework, waste and production bottlenecks.
- Maintain a clean, organised and efficient workshop environment.
Team Leadership
- Lead and supervise welders, fabricators, sheet metal workers, machine operators and general workshop staff.
- Communicate daily priorities and make sure staff understand job requirements.
- Support staff with technical queries, fabrication methods and problem-solving.
- Help train new starters and support ongoing staff development.
- Monitor performance, attendance and workplace conduct.
- Lead by example and promote a positive, productive workshop culture.
Quality Control
- Check fabricated work against drawings, specifications, templates and work orders.
- Ensure products meet required quality standards before moving to the next stage.
- Identify and report any issues, defects, delays or rework requirements.
- Support quality control procedures, inspections and internal audits where required.
- Help improve workshop processes to achieve consistent quality and efficiency.
Health & Safety
- Ensure safe working practices are followed across the workshop.
- Promote a strong health and safety culture.
- Carry out basic safety checks and report hazards or concerns.
- Ensure staff use the correct PPE and follow company procedures.
- Support toolbox talks, risk assessments and safe systems of work where required.
Coordination & Communication
- Work closely with management, design, purchasing, scheduling and office teams.
- Provide clear updates on job progress, delays, material issues and resource requirements.
- Help ensure materials, consumables and drawings are available when needed.
- Support new projects, prototypes, bespoke work and engineering changes.
- Assist with improving production planning, workflow and reporting.
Skills and Experience Required
- Previous experience as a Workshop Manager, Workshop Supervisor, Chargehand, Senior Fabricator or similar.
- Strong background in welding, fabrication, sheet metalwork or metal manufacturing.
- Ability to read and interpret technical drawings and fabrication specifications.
- Good knowledge of TIG/MIG welding, fabrication methods and workshop machinery.
- Experience supervising or leading a workshop team.
- Strong organisational and communication skills.
- Good attention to detail and a strong focus on quality.
- Ability to prioritise workloads and work to deadlines.
- Practical problem-solving ability.
- Good understanding of health and safety in a workshop environment.
- Confident working in a busy, hands-on manufacturing setting.
Desirable Experience
- Experience working with architectural metalwork, bespoke furniture or retail display units.
- Experience working with architects, joinery companies, contractors or commercial clients.
- Experience with production welding, jig-based work and repeat manufacturing.
- Knowledge of CNC machinery, finishing processes, powder coating or subcontract operations.
- Experience using production systems such as MIETrak Pro for scheduling, work orders, production tracking and reporting would be beneficial, although training can be provided.
- Experience supporting process improvements, lean working or productivity improvements.
- Forklift licence or relevant workshop qualifications would be an advantage.
Personal Attributes
- Hands-on, practical and proactive.
- Confident leading a team and making day-to-day decisions.
- Approachable and able to communicate clearly with workshop and office staff.
- Organised, reliable and able to work under pressure.
- Strong eye for detail and pride in workmanship.
- Committed to safety, quality and continuous improvement.
- Able to adapt quickly when priorities change.
- Willing to take ownership and help drive workshop performance.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: £60,000.00-£70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Baldock SG7: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (preferred)
Application question(s):
- Can you briefly describe your previous experience managing or supervising a fabrication, welding, sheet metal or manufacturing workshop?
- Are you confident reading technical drawings and planning workshop jobs from drawings, work orders and production schedules?
Work Location: In person
