New Job Opening: Joinery / Carpentry Manager in HQ

We are looking for an experienced and hands-on Joinery / Carpentry Manager to join our client in Dubai. The primary focus of this role is to lead the joinery workshop and site installation function, taking bespoke joinery packages from shop drawing through production, finishing, delivery and final installation for showrooms, high-end retail brands, supermarkets, offices, and other commercial spaces.

This is a critical role that requires deep technical knowledge of materials, machinery and finishing processes, combined with strong production planning discipline and the ability to manage workshop and site teams working to demanding project expectations. The successful candidate will safeguard finish quality and brand standards while controlling material wastage, labor productivity and cost. They will also have the experience and presence required to handle commercial relationships with key clients and partners.

Key responsibilities

Workshop production, planning, management and operations

• Plan, schedule, and control all joinery production activities to meet project requirements, ensuring workshop capacity is allocated efficiently across concurrent projects.


• Prepare production schedules, manpower plans, and machine loading plans, and monitor daily output against targets.


• Manage workshop layout, machinery utilization, and maintenance schedules to minimize downtime and production bottlenecks.


• Coordinate closely with various teams so that fabrication sequencing aligns with site readiness and installation dates.


• Generate and manage business leads and build long-term partnerships for the business in alignment with GM.

Technical drawings, materials and procurement

• Review and interpret architectural drawings, shop drawings, and specifications, and raise technical queries or buildability comments before production begins.


• Prepare and verify cutting lists, material take-offs, and bills of quantities for each joinery package.


• Select and source timber, boards, veneers, laminates, solid surface, ironmongery, and hardware in coordination with Procurement, ensuring specification and brand compliance.


• Control material stock, wastage, and yield, and implement optimization measures to reduce offcuts and rework.

Site installation and quality control

• Oversee delivery, handling, and on-site installation of all joinery items, managing installation teams and subcontractors to achieve accurate, high-quality fit and finish.


• Conduct dimensional surveys and site measurements prior to fabrication to eliminate clashes and rework.


• Implement inspection and quality control checks at fabrication, finishing, pre-delivery and installation stages.


• Drive snagging and defect closure, ensuring a complete, defect-free handover with all required documentation.

Cost, quality and compliance

• Monitor production costs, laborr hours, and material consumption against budget, and implement corrective action where variances arise.


• Support estimating and tendering with accurate fabrication costs, lead times, and value-engineering alternatives that protect finish quality.


• Ensure full compliance with health & safety regulations, machinery guarding, dust and fume extraction, and safe working practices in the workshop and on site.


• Maintain accurate production records, mock-up and sample approvals, method statements, and photographic records for all projects.

Team leadership

• Lead, allocate, and supervise carpenters, machinists, CNC operators, polishers, finishers, and installation crews, promoting a culture of quality, safety, and productivity.


• Assess team skill levels, provide on-the-job training, and build capability in finishing standards and machine operation.


• Capture lessons learned and continuously improve production processes, jigs, templates, checklists, and best practices.

Requirements

• Diploma or Bachelor’s degree in Wood Technology, Carpentry and Joinery, Production or Manufacturing Engineering, Interior Design, or a related discipline. Strong trade qualifications with equivalent experience will also be considered.


• Minimum 6-8 years of progressive experience in joinery and carpentry management within the fit-out, shopfitting, or bespoke furniture industry, preferably in the UAE (Dubai experience strongly preferred).


• Proven track record of running a joinery workshop and delivering bespoke packages such as shopfitting, display units, wall paneling, reception counters, wardrobes, kitchens, and loose furniture for high-end retail, showroom, hospitality, or commercial projects.


• Strong working knowledge of materials and hardware including MDF, plywood, solid timber, natural and reconstituted veneers, HPL and laminates, solid surface (Corian or equivalent), acrylics, glass, and premium ironmongery brands.


• Practical experience with CNC routers, beam saws, edge banding, panel processing, and spray booth and finishing operations (PU, lacquer, polish).


• Ability to read and interpret shop drawings and produce or verify cutting lists; working knowledge of AutoCAD and joinery production or ERP software.


• Demonstrable commercial acumen with the ability to control production budgets, labor hours, material wastage, and cost while protecting quality and brand standards.


• Strong leadership skills with experience managing multicultural workshop and site teams, including productivity management and skills development.


• Solid understanding of workshop health & safety, machinery safety, and UAE regulatory requirements.


• Valid UAE driving license is preferred (frequent workshop and site movement required).

Key skills & competencies

• Joinery workshop production planning and capacity management


• Bespoke joinery, shopfitting, and furniture manufacturing expertise


• Shop drawing interpretation, cutting lists, and material take-offs


• CNC, panel processing, edge banding, and spray finishing operations


• Materials, veneers, laminates, solid surface, and ironmongery knowledge


• Site measurement, installation coordination, and snagging


• Quality control, finish standards, and brand specification compliance


• Cost, wastage, yield, and labor productivity control


• Workshop health & safety and machinery risk management


• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills