Contractor Manager Job London area,Greater London England UK,Manufacturing / Production

Location: Greater London

Overview

Role Context:
Our client is a fit out contractor who recently acquired a live joinery business, with premises and plant in place and an ongoing workshop fit-out. The workshop is not yet in full production, creating an opportunity for the right person to join at an exciting time and help shape standards, working rhythm and operating discipline from the outset. The aim is to create a credible, high-quality and commercially controlled joinery manufacturing capability, supporting Bodhi Solutions projects and external client opportunities.

The role requires a practical workshop leader who can organise people, plan work, protect quality, maintain safety and ensure finished joinery is manufactured in a simple, controlled and professional way. The person must be comfortable in the workshop, in the office and, where required, in front of clients. In the early stages, the successful candidate should be prepared to be hands-on where required.

As workload grows, the hands-on requirement is expected to reduce, with the role increasingly focused on workshop leadership, production planning, quality control, technical direction and team management.

Responsibilities

Workshop leadership and production delivery:
Lead the day-to-day operation of the joinery workshop. Plan, organise and coordinate activity so that work is delivered safely, efficiently and to the required standard. Ensure each person understands task, method, quality requirement and programme expectation. Maintain a productive workshop rhythm and ensure the workshop is organised, disciplined, tidy and capable of supporting high-quality production.

Safe working and workshop discipline:
Maintain a safe workshop environment, including housekeeping, safe use of machinery, PPE, guarding, extraction and correct working practices. Ensure operatives are properly instructed and competent for allocated tasks, working to agreed safety requirements. Support RAMS, COSHH and workshop compliance where needed, keeping controls practical and proportionate. Challenge unsafe working, poor standards or improper use of plant and equipment.

Quality and client satisfaction:
Take ownership of workshop quality, ensuring bespoke joinery is manufactured to the agreed design, specification, finish and standard. Check work at appropriate stages rather than relying on final inspection. Ensure finished products are properly protected, stored, labelled and prepared for delivery or installation. Foster a culture where quality is owned by the workshop team and defects, rework and avoidable site issues are reduced.

Keep client satisfaction at the centre of workshop delivery, balancing quality, practicality, programme and cost.

Technical direction and buildability:
Review drawings, specifications, schedules and client requirements from a practical joinery manufacturing perspective. Direct the detailed design, setting out and manufacturing approach for bespoke items. Identify buildability issues, missing information, over complicated details or practical risks before production starts. Work with designers, project managers, estimators and clients to resolve technical details and protect the finished product. Support simpler, more efficient ways of manufacturing without compromising quality or client expectations.

Planning, resources and materials:
Plan the sequence of manufacture, including cutting, machining, assembly, finishing, storage and dispatch. Assess labour, plant and material requirements. Provide input to estimating or commercial teams for tenders, quotations or cost plans. Identify material requirements, long-lead items, specialist components, tooling needs and workshop constraints early. Coordinate material availability so labour is not committed before the job is ready to progress.

People management and team development:
Direct, support and develop joiners, machinists and workshop operatives. Set clear expectations for productivity, workmanship, behaviour and safety. Coach less experienced team members and demonstrate standards where required. Identify skills gaps, training needs and future labour requirements. Manage performance issues early, fairly and professionally.

Office, project team and client interface:
Work professionally with project managers, estimators, commercial staff and senior leadership. Attend meetings, support site visits or speak with clients where required. Provide clear progress updates, highlight risks early and avoid over-promising on programme, cost or capability. Translate client and project requirements into practical workshop activity.

Key Capabilities Required

Strong practical joinery and workshop manufacturing knowledge.
Ability to lead a workshop team and maintain daily production control.
Ability to plan work simply and efficiently from drawings, specifications and client requirements.
Ability to direct detailed design, setting out and buildability decisions.
Strong quality focus and understanding of what good bespoke joinery looks like.
Strong safety…