Head of Manufacturing

At Queensmith, we understand that our greatest asset is our exceptional team. As Head of Manufacturing, you lead our in-house workshop and are responsible for ensuring every piece crafted meets our quality control standards, supports commercial goals, and reflects our brand’s promise. You are accountable for workshop performance across people, processes, and products, improving efficiency, consistency and output quality while building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement across the workshop, including the setting and mounting teams. Your purpose is to build a department that is fit for Queensmith: future-ready, operationally sharp, and constantly improving. You will shape the future of the team by developing Leads, encouraging knowledge sharing and addressing skill gaps through hands-on training in collaboration with HR and our Head of Workshop L&D. The role owns all aspects of execution, from precious metal and tooling usage to team development and KPI performance, ensuring consistent, high-quality output that meets expectations every time. You are responsible for providing quality and output across the workshop team members, implementing clear production standards, and actively managing performance, quality, and time expectations. Your contributions are integral to our journey.

Responsibilities:

• Responsible for scaling manufacturing operations to support business growth, including preparing for distributed or multi-site production
• Own KPI performance across productivity, quality, and efficiency using data to optimise output, meet deadlines and drive continuous improvement.
• Manage the manufacturing and workshop operations with direct people leadership responsibilities
• Demonstrate strong commercial awareness with experience owning budgets, managing precious materials, and controlling operational costs
• Identify skill gaps, lead structured development plans, and build high-performing teams
• Organise scheduled maintenance and Health & Safety certification across all workshops.
• Oversee quality standards, health & safety, and compliance (including security protocols)
• Responsible for process optimisation and output quality across workshop team members
• Collaborate & communicate effectively across teams and with external partners (e.g. metal suppliers), and present operational plans, sourcing insights, and performance updates to senior stakeholders

Requirements

• Hands-on approach with a passion for knowledge sharing and upskilling teams
• Ability to motivate, assess, plan and organise resources
• Robust leadership background in manufacturing roles and expertise in optimising process workflows
• 360-degree team and people management in different locations/geographies
• Ability to lead large, skilled teams and deliver results through others while building accountability and trust

• Experience maintaining consistent operational standards and output quality across multiple locations and/or teams

Skills:

• Team leadership & performance management
• High volume, continuous manufacturing & business process improvement
• Commercial & financial acumen and cost control
• Workflow optimisation & KPI tracking
• Jewellery production or hands-on workshop knowledge
• Clear communication & cross-functional collaboration

Benefits

• Opportunities for growth and progression across departments,
• An annual company-wide bonus scheme (Included in the advertised compensation package),
• Employee Recognition Programme,
• Paid Time Off & Holidays,
• Financial Benefits,
• Workplace Culture Initiatives and Events,

• Private Healthcare Plan and Wellness Benefits,
• Generous Pension Plans,
• Training & Professional Development,
• Employee Assistance Programme - Counselling,