What does a furniture workshop manager do?
The Workshop Manager in furniture manufacturing plays a crucial role in coordinating all activities within the workshop. Their main task is to oversee the entire manufacturing process, from the design of the pieces to their final assembly, ensuring that the products meet the required standards and specifications.
DUTIES OF A Furniture Workshop Manager
They are responsible for managing production teams, ensuring they organised and efficient. This involves distributing tasks, supervising operators, and managing schedules to meet production deadlines
Part of the role also includes managing employees’ skills by ensuring their continuous training, keeping them updated on the latest manufacturing techniques and machinery use.
The workshop manager must also ensure that all equipment and machines are functioning correctly.
They are responsible for making sure everything is operational, planning maintenance operations, and quickly repairing any breakdowns to avoid production disruptions.
The manager collaborates with technical teams for the installation and configuration of numerical control machines, which are increasingly common in manufacturing workshops. The ability to resolve technical problems quickly and efficiently is crucial to ensuring smooth production.
Another major aspect of the Workshop Manager’s job in furniture manufacturing is quality control. They must ensure that every piece produced meets the company’s quality standards and customer expectations. This quality control happens at various stages, from the early steps of production to the final product.
The Workshop Manager regularly performs inspections to identify potential defects, correct issues, and make adjustments if necessary, ensuring the highest quality of the finished products. The Workshop Manager also has administrative responsibilities, including managing stocks of raw materials and consumables. They anticipate needs to avoid shortages and sometimes negotiate with suppliers to ensure a steady supply of materials. This job requires strong organisational skills, great attention to detail, and the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
What qualities are needed to do this job?
To work as a Workshop Manager, it is essential to master furniture manufacturing techniques, as well as possess team management and organisational skills. A Professional Bachelor’s Degree is particularly well-suited to prepare for this type of role. Specifically, the Professional Bachelor’s Degree at ENSTIB in the Furniture Wood track offers a comprehensive technical and managerial education, making it ideal for future workshop managers.
It equips students with the necessary skills in production management, wood materials technology, quality control, and team management. This programme combines both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, providing optimal preparation for a career as a Workshop Manager in furniture manufacturing.