At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the setup and management of a new timber doorset production facility.
- Company: Join a fast-growing business focused on innovation and quality.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, flexible time off, and supportive wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional growth and a culture that values work-life balance.
- Why this job: Shape a new production facility and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in timber doorset production and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 44000 £ per year.
You will lead the setup, commissioning, and ongoing management of a new timber doorset and finishing production facility, covering machining, assembly, pre‑hung doorsets, and finishing operations. This role combines hands‑on production leadership, project management, and embedding of continuous improvement through LEAN methodology and tools, supporting delivery in full, to budget, and on time to ensure the operation is capable of achieving required output, quality, and compliance standards, e.g., fire doorsets.
You will be responsible for building the production workflow from the ground up—specifying equipment and facility requirements, establishing processes, recruiting and training staff, and driving operational excellence once the facility is live.
Key Responsibilities- Facility Setup & Project Management
- Act as the SME for the end‑to‑end setup of a new timber doorset production facility, from layout design to commissioning.
- Support Procurement and assist with suppliers to specify, procure, and install machinery (CNC, beam saw, wide belt sander, spray booth, Schubox/drying systems, extraction, compressors, assembly benches, and packaging equipment).
- Develop factory layout, material flow, and lean production processes to maximise efficiency and minimise waste.
- Oversee installation, testing, and optimisation of all equipment and production lines.
- Work with SHEQ Manager and HO Operations to ensure compliance with HSE, fire safety, ATEX, PUWER, and environmental requirements.
- Production Management
- Manage daily operations across machining, assembly, finishing, and dispatch.
- Plan and schedule production to meet customer lead times and quality standards.
- Implement and maintain SOPs, quality checks, and process controls for fire doors, acoustic doors, and standard timber doorsets.
- Monitor KPIs, including throughput, yield, downtime, labour efficiency, and OTIF performance.
- Lead root‑cause analysis and continuous improvement initiatives (Lean, 5S, Kaizen).
- Ensure correct handling, curing, and finishing processes for prefinished doors, including IR drying/Schubox systems.
- Team Leadership
- Recruit, train, and develop a high‑performing production team.
- Provide daily supervision, ongoing coaching, formalised one‑to‑ones and performance management.
- Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure cross‑training to build a flexible, multi‑skilled workforce.
- Quality, Compliance & Technical Oversight
- Ensure all doorsets meet relevant standards (e.g., PAS 24, Secured by Design, fire certification, and acoustic ratings).
- Work with technical and compliance teams to maintain certification and traceability.
- Oversee finishing quality, colour consistency, and coating performance.
- Manage non‑conformance, rework, and customer returns processes.
- Supply Chain & Materials Management
- Work with procurement to source timber, cores, hardware, coatings, and consumables.
- Implement stock control systems for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods.
- Optimise material usage and reduce waste.
- Proven experience managing production in a timber doorset, joinery, or woodworking manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success in setting up a new production facility, including equipment specification, layout design, and commissioning.
- Hands‑on understanding of CNC machining, CNC programming, door panel processing, sanding, finishing, and assembly processes.
- Experience with IR drying/Schubox or similar low‑temperature curing systems.
- Strong leadership skills with experience supervising production teams.
- Excellent understanding of SHEQ, PUWER, ATEX, and manufacturing compliance.
- Ability to read technical drawings and interpret specifications.
- Strong problem‑solving and continuous improvement mindset.
- Proven experience managing production in a timber doorset, joinery, or woodworking manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated success in setting up a new production facility, including equipment specification, layout design, and commissioning.
- Hands‑on understanding of CNC machining, CNC programming, door panel processing, sanding, finishing, and assembly processes.
- Experience with IR drying/Schubox or similar low‑temperature curing systems.
- Strong leadership skills with experience supervising production teams.
- Excellent understanding of SHEQ, PUWER, ATEX, and manufacturing compliance.
- Ability to read technical drawings and interpret specifications.
- Strong problem‑solving and continuous improvement mindset.
- Experience with fire door manufacturing and certification processes.
- Knowledge of lean manufacturing, 5S, and process optimisation.
- Experience utilising ERP/MRP systems in a manufacturing environment.
- IOSH/NEBOSH qualification.
- A fully operational, efficient, safe, and compliant production facility delivered on time.
- Stable, predictable production output with high quality and low rework.
- A trained, motivated team working to clear processes and standards.
- Continuous improvement embedded into daily operations.
- Strong collaboration across technical, commercial, and operational teams.
- Opportunity to shape and lead governance processes in a fast‑growing business.
- A supportive environment where your expertise will make a real impact.
- A culture that values your professional growth and personal wellbeing.
- Generous Holiday Allowance: 22 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, with the flexibility to tailor your time off:
- Buy up to 3 extra days of holiday.
- Sell back up to 2 days to suit your needs.
- We believe in a healthy work‑life balance that works for you.
- Length of Service holiday awards: 1 extra day for every 3 years service.
- Death in Service benefit (3x annual salary).
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme with employer contributions of 3% in line with current statutory requirements.
- Salary sacrifice Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
- Staff discounts on the Leader product range.
- Subsidised gym membership.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: We care about our team's mental and emotional health. We offer:
- Access to Able Futures, a confidential government‑backed service providing practical support for mental wellbeing at work.
- Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) – 24/7 access to professional wellbeing advice, counselling, and guidance to help you thrive inside and outside of work.
- Employee Referral Bonus.
- Salary £40,000 – £44,000, dependent on experience.
Timber Doorset Production Lead — Lean, On-Time Delivery employer: Leader Online
Join a forward-thinking company that prioritises employee growth and wellbeing, offering a supportive environment where your expertise in timber doorset production will truly make an impact. With generous holiday allowances, a focus on work-life balance, and continuous improvement initiatives, this role not only allows you to lead a new production facility but also fosters a culture of safety and accountability. Located in a dynamic setting, you'll have the opportunity to shape processes and drive operational excellence while enjoying benefits like subsidised gym memberships and mental health support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Timber Doorset Production Lead — Lean, On-Time Delivery
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their values, recent projects, and any news related to their timber doorset production. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral, which is always a bonus!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to production management and lean methodologies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and highlight your hands-on experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and ready to contribute to our operational excellence.
We think you need these skills to ace Timber Doorset Production Lead — Lean, On-Time Delivery
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Timber Doorset Production Lead role. Highlight your experience in managing production facilities and any hands-on skills you have with CNC machining or assembly processes. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your leadership skills can drive operational excellence. Don’t forget to mention your experience with lean methodologies and continuous improvement – we love that stuff!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, be sure to showcase your relevant experience in timber doorset production or woodworking environments. Mention specific projects where you've set up production facilities or improved processes. We’re looking for those standout moments!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leader Online
✨Know Your Production Processes
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of timber doorset production processes, especially CNC machining and assembly. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these operations in the past, as this will show your hands-on experience and understanding of the role.
✨Showcase Your Project Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've set up production facilities before, including layout design and equipment specification. Highlight any project management tools or methodologies you've used, particularly LEAN practices, to demonstrate your ability to drive operational excellence.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to talk about specific continuous improvement initiatives you've led, such as Lean, 5S, or Kaizen. Share measurable outcomes from these initiatives to illustrate your problem-solving mindset and commitment to enhancing production efficiency.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Think of examples where you've recruited, trained, and developed a high-performing team. Discuss how you foster a culture of safety and accountability, as well as how you handle performance management and coaching to build a flexible workforce.
