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 abroad. With a busy pipeline of projects across the UK, they are now looking for an experienced Workshop Manager to lead and develop their stand build team at their site near Peterborough.

This is a key leadership role within the business, offering the opportunity to take ownership of workshop operations, improve efficiencies, and ensure projects are delivered to the highest standard in fast‑paced, deadline-driven environments.

Responsibilities:

• Managing the day-to-day running of the workshop and overseeing all build activities.
• Planning, scheduling, and coordinating production to meet strict project deadlines.
• Line managing a team of approximately 10, including HR responsibilities.
• Allocating labour, managing workflows, and ensuring effective use of time and resources.
• Maintaining high standards of quality, organisation, cleanliness, and health & safety within the workshop.
• Leading production meetings and tracking progress across multiple concurrent projects.
• Coordinating closely with Sales, Design, Print, and Operations teams to ensure smooth project delivery.
• Organising logistics including vehicles, trucks, transport schedules, and booking specialist equipment such as forklifts for venues.
• Supporting the planning of site installs, breakdowns, and timelines.
• Attending key installations, handovers, and breakdowns when required
• Driving continuous improvement by identifying better build methods, efficiencies, and training needs within the team.

Requirements:

• Proven experience managing a workshop or production environment is essential.
• Strong people management skills with experience leading and developing teams.
• Background within carpentry, joinery, fabrication, or a similar hands-on trade is highly beneficial.
• Experience in the exhibition, events, shopfitting, or display build industry is highly desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects under pressure.
• Practical understanding of build processes to accurately plan workloads and timelines.
• Confident coordinating logistics, transport, and resources.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work cross-functionally.
• Flexible approach to working hours and occasional travel as required by projects

Benefits:

• Competitive salary of £45,000 – £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.