Assistant Workshop Manager in London

Workshop Assistant Manager

For over 40 million people in the UK, spectacles are the first thing reached for in the morning, and the last thing taken off at night. Even the overworked smartphone can’t seize pole position. But the optical industry hasn’t changed in over three centuries. Products are tired, standards are poor, and glasses wearers have got used to sub-standard experiences. The reason we exist is to change this for the better. We’re not an eyewear brand. We’re a spectacles maker. At the heart of our business are our frames - handmade from the best materials. Designed to be worn, serviced, repaired and renewed.

The Workshop Assistant Manager oversees the day-to-day running of Cubitts’ Kings Cross spectacle-making workshop – covering CNC operation, hand-making and repairs & restoration. The role leads and coaches the workshop team, including CNC Operators, Makers and Apprentice Spectacle Makers, planning the day, allocating tasks, and maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, safety and efficiency. Reporting directly to the Design Lead, the Workshop Assistant Manager plays a key role in rolling out new equipment, technology and process improvements across the workshop, while ensuring production output is maintained effectively and creativity is championed alongside day-to-day delivery, all while representing Cubitts’ values and mission with pride.

Workshop Assistant Manager tasks will include:

• Team Leadership: Lead daily shifts, planning workloads, allocating tasks across CNC, making and repairs, and communicating priorities clearly to the team.

• Coaching & Development: Act as a role model and mentor to CNC Operators, Makers and Apprentice Spectacle Makers, offering guidance, feedback and structured training to help the team build their skills.

• Quality Control: Own quality standards across the workshop, spotting issues early, leading root-cause fixes, and coaching the team on maintaining consistent craftsmanship.

• Technology & Process Adoption: Lead the workshop's adoption of new equipment and planned technological improvements, training the team on new tools and processes as they roll out.

• Production Planning & Output: Plan and prioritise the workshop's workload across CNC, making and repairs, ensuring production output is maintained effectively against volume and turnaround targets.

• Stock & Materials: Oversee stock of raw materials and tools, working with suppliers and stores to ensure the workshop has what it needs.

• Creative Culture: Champion creativity alongside production efficiency, protecting time and space for the team to experiment with new techniques, finishes and ideas.

• Reporting & Escalation: Act as the primary point of contact for the workshop, keeping the Design Lead informed of performance, risks and opportunities.

• Operational Support: Build strong product and process knowledge, and help resolve escalated queries from stores, customer service or the wider team.

What is expected of a Workshop Assistant Manager

• A strong communicator – can explain complex information in a way that's easily understandable by non-experts across the whole company; presents with clarity and confidence, and gives and receives feedback constructively.

• Collaborative team player – builds relationships, values contributions from peers, and works effectively with others to get things done.

• Technically capable – deep understanding of CNC operation, spectacle making and repair processes, and every stage of production, able to guide others confidently across all of them.

• Disciplined operator – upholds clear workspace and safety standards personally and across the team every shift, flagging recurring causes of delay rather than absorbing them silently.

• Reliable executor – delivers work efficiently, consistently meets deadlines, and follows through on commitments.

• Innovative mindset – curious, open to new ideas, and willing to test and learn from mistakes to improve workshop processes.

• Team-accountable – owns quality and output standards for the team, not just personal work.

• People-focused leader – developing leadership skills by considering how best to support, develop and get the best from the team.

2026 Goals

Goals for this year, agreed alongside the workshop’s production operating model:

Our Values

Pioneers

We try to improve things, by doing things better or more simply celebrating both innovation and failure.

Managers

• Challenges both themselves and their team to think outside the box

• Innovate, and improve

• Leads by example, using their initiative to keep things moving forward

• Courageous and supportive, urging their team members to take risks and learn from their mistakes

• An infectious, positive force, no matter what challenges they face

• Pushes themselves and their team to learn and grow both personally and professionally

Proud

We take pride in doing things properly, even when we’re exhausted.

Managers

• Leads by example by being deeply committed to performing to a high standard

• Encourages and supports their team to strive for consistency, quality and attention to detail

• Always goes the extra mile, both in their own work and for their team to ensure things are done properly

• Inspires and supports their team to find the best possible outcomes and to exceed expectations

For all

We treat everyone with the same warmth and respect, and without ego.

Managers

• Humble and empathetic, fostering unity and inclusiveness amongst and across teams

• Shares challenges and encourages their team to overcome them together

• Communicates openly and honestly,listening to and respecting everyone's point of view

• Identifies, develops, and celebrates individuals and team strengths and achievements

Some nice things you’ll get