Factory Manager – Joinery & Fit-out

DescriptionThe Factory Manager will lead and manage the full lifecycle of the factory operations—from managing the workshop floor, machinery, materials, and manpower, through to delivery of finished joinery and installation support. This role ensures the factory runs efficiently, safely, on time, and within budget, while maintaining the top-tier quality required for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.Key Responsibilities1. Factory & Production OperationsOversee daily operations of the joinery/factory workshop: production scheduling, job orders, machine allocation, and manpower planning. Ensure production meets project deadlines and quality standards for items such as doors, wardrobes, cabinets, wall panels, pergolas, staircases, and decorative finishes.Implement efficient workshop workflow and layout to optimise material flow, minimise bottlenecks, and reduce lead times.Manage machine/equipment maintenance schedule and tooling to avoid downtime.Monitor inventory, material usage, and waste; optimize resource consumption and cost of goods.Implement and enforce safety, health & environmental standards in the factory.2. Quality Assurance & Technical CoordinationReview technical drawings, cutting lists, BOQs, and shop drawings before production starts; ensure alignment with design intentions. Conduct regular inspections on the workshop floor to ensure workmanship, finishing, and material integrity meet company standards and client expectations.Lead root-cause analysis when defects or delays occur; put corrective actions in place.3. Team Leadership & DevelopmentManage all factory staff – carpenters, machinists, polishers, joinery finishers, warehouse & logistics.Set clear performance targets for manpower productivity, machine utilization, yield, and waste reduction.Provide training and development to staff on new machinery, materials, techniques, and best practices.4. Coordination & ReportingLiaise closely with design, project management, procurement, and site teams to align factory output with site delivery schedules and installation mobilization.Prepare weekly/monthly factory reports covering productivity, material consumption, wastage, equipment downtime, and manpower usage.Contribute to budget planning for factory operations and identify improvement opportunities.Qualifications & ExperienceBachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Industrial Engineering, Wood Technology, Interior Design, or a related discipline.Minimum 7-10 years’ experience in factory/production management within joinery, woodworking, or interior fit-out manufacturing environments, preferably in the UAE or GCC. Strong technical knowledge of joinery manufacturing processes: wood types, veneers, laminates, solid wood, MDF, panel systems, hardware, and finishing techniques.Proven experience managing workshop machinery, manpower planning, quality control, and production scheduling.Ability to interpret drawings/BOQs/shop drawings, and work closely with design & site teams.Excellent leadership and communication skills; strong problem-solving and decision-making under pressure.Familiarity with ERP/production planning tools, CAD/AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office.Commitment to HSE (Health, Safety, Environment) standards and safe workshop practices.