Workshop Manager

About the opportunity:

We are the internal recruitment partner for a well-established business creating bespoke exhibition stands for events across the UK and internationally. Due to continued growth and a strong pipeline of projects, they are now looking for an experienced Workshop Manager to lead their workshop operation near Peterborough.

Reporting to the Head of Production, this is a leadership role responsible for ensuring the smooth day-to-day running of the workshop, managing production priorities, maintaining quality standards, and developing an experienced team. The successful candidate will play a key role in driving workshop efficiencies, promoting a strong health & safety culture, and implementing continuous improvement initiatives across the department.

This opportunity would suit an established Workshop Manager, Production Supervisor, Manufacturing Team Leader, or Production Team Leader looking to take ownership of a busy workshop operation.

Responsibilities:

• Managing the day-to-day operations of the workshop, ensuring production targets and project deadlines are achieved.
• Coordinating workshop activities including stand builds, finishing, print requirements, dispatch preparation, and workflow between departments.
• Planning, prioritising, and allocating workloads to maximise efficiency, productivity, and resource utilisation.
• Leading, motivating, and developing the workshop team through coaching, performance management, and regular one-to-ones.
• Acting as the first point of escalation for workshop-related issues while maintaining a visible leadership presence on the shop floor.
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance workflows, productivity, organisation, and housekeeping standards.
• Ensuring compliance with health & safety procedures, quality standards, and company policies.
• Leading production meetings and monitoring progress across multiple concurrent projects.
• Collaborating with Design, Sales, Print, Warehouse, and Operations teams to ensure seamless project delivery.
• Overseeing procurement activities, supplier relationships, and stock availability to support uninterrupted workshop operations.
• Supporting logistics planning, transport coordination, and installation schedules as required.

Requirements:

• Proven experience managing or supervising teams within a workshop, manufacturing, production, fabrication, joinery, carpentry, or similar environment.
• Strong people management skills with experience leading, motivating, and developing teams.
• Excellent organisational and planning skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience implementing process improvements and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Good understanding of Lean Manufacturing principles, Six Sigma methodologies, or similar process improvement techniques.
• Strong awareness of quality standards and production control.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety legislation and best practice within a workshop or manufacturing environment.
• IOSH qualification or equivalent Health & Safety certification would be advantageous.
• Forklift Truck certification or experience operating within a forklift environment would be beneficial.
• Experience within exhibitions, shopfitting, display manufacture, joinery, fabrication, events, or bespoke manufacturing environments would be highly desirable.
• Practical understanding of manufacturing and build processes with the ability to effectively plan resources and workloads.

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £40,000 - £55,000 per annum, dependent on experience.
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Pension contributions.
• Life insurance.
• Cycle to Work scheme.
• Opportunity to play a key role in a growing, well-respected exhibition build business.