Working Shop Manager

Job Title Working Shop Manager Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced, practical, and highly organised Working Shop Manager to join a bespoke shop fitting company delivering high-quality commercial interiors and specialist fit-outs.

This is a hands-on management role for someone who is equally comfortable leading a workshop team, organising production, working from drawings and specifications, and getting involved in the manufacture and finishing of bespoke items.

The successful candidate will take responsibility for the smooth day-to-day running of the workshop, ensuring projects are manufactured to a high standard, on time and within agreed specifications.

Key Responsibilities Workshop Management

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the workshop.
• Plan and organise workshop production to meet project deadlines.
• Allocate work and manage workloads across the workshop team.
• Ensure materials, machinery, tools, and labour are available when required.
• Monitor progress and identify potential delays or production issues early.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and well-organised working environment.
• Ensure workshop equipment and machinery are maintained and used correctly.

Hands-On Production

• Take an active role in the manufacture and assembly of bespoke shop-fitting and interior components.
• Read and interpret technical drawings, plans, and cutting lists.
• Assist with setting out, cutting, assembly, installation preparation and finishing where required.
• Solve practical manufacturing problems and develop efficient solutions.
• Maintain the high-quality workmanship and attention to detail expected from a bespoke interiors company.

Team Leadership

• Lead, support, and motivate workshop staff.
• Provide guidance and practical training to less experienced team members.
• Set clear standards for quality, productivity, housekeeping, and safety.
• Manage day-to-day performance and address issues promptly and professionally.
• Foster a positive, cooperative, and solutions-focused workshop culture.

Project & Production Coordination

• Liaise with project managers, designers, and site teams to ensure workshop production meets project requirements.
• Review drawings and specifications before manufacture.
• Check dimensions, finishes, materials, and details before work begins.
• Coordinate production schedules around site installation dates.
• Carry out quality checks throughout manufacture and before items leave the workshop.
• Ensure completed work is correctly labelled, protected and prepared for delivery or installation.

Health & Safety

• Take responsibility for maintaining safe working practices within the workshop.
• Ensure staff follow company health and safety procedures.
• Identify and report hazards and ensure appropriate control measures are in place.
• Ensure machinery and workshop equipment is operated safely.
• Maintain appropriate housekeeping and PPE standards.

Experience & Skills Essential

• Previous experience in bespoke joinery, shop fitting, interior fit-out, cabinet making or a similar workshop environment.
• Proven experience supervising or managing a workshop/team.
• Strong practical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and understand technical drawings.
• High standards of workmanship and attention to detail.
• Good understanding of workshop production processes.
• Ability to organise work and meet deadlines.
• Confident communicating with colleagues, management, suppliers, and site teams.
• Reliable, professional, and willing to lead from the front.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, project-based environment.

Desirable

• Experience within high-end retail, hospitality, commercial interiors, or luxury residential projects.
• Relevant woodworking/joinery qualification.
• Experience with CNC machinery or other specialist workshop equipment.
• Experience with laminates, veneers, solid timber, Corian/solid surfaces, metalwork, or specialist finishes.
• Experience preparing bespoke items for site installation.
• Basic understanding of estimating, material requirements, and job costing.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who is:

• Hands-on - happy to get stuck in and lead by example.
• Organised - able to plan production and keep projects moving.
• Quality-focused - takes pride in delivering exceptional workmanship.
• Practical - able to find solutions when challenges arise.
• A strong leader - capable of getting the best from a workshop team.
• Dependable - takes ownership and follows jobs through to completion.
• Commercially aware - understands the importance of productivity, materials, waste, and deadlines.
• Flexible - able to adapt to changing project requirements.
• Professional - represents Daniel James Interiors positively with clients, suppliers, and colleagues.

Working Hours

Full-time, Monday to Friday, with working hours to be confirmed according to the company's workshop requirements.

Occasional additional hours, early starts or site-related requirements may be necessary to meet project deadlines.

What We Offer

• A key management position within an established bespoke shop-fitting business.
• The opportunity to work on varied, high-quality commercial interior projects.
• A hands-on role with genuine responsibility and autonomy.
• A supportive and skilled working environment.
• Competitive salary based on experience and ability.
• Opportunities for progression as the company grows.

Reporting To

Company Director / Operations Director

Key Objective

The primary objective of the Working Shop Manager is to ensure that the workshop operates efficiently, safely, and profitably while consistently producing high-quality bespoke work to the required specification and deadline.

The successful