Pre Production Manager
AMG Recruitment is an employment business that provides Textile Personnel around the UK. Due to continued success and growth, our client is looking for an experienced and highly organised Pre-Production Manager to join their growing team. This is a varied and hands-on role, responsible for managing the journey from initial quotation and design development through to production, quality control, delivery and installation.
Working closely with their clients, estimating team, production management, factory teams and overseas colleagues, you will play a key role in ensuring projects are accurately quoted, efficiently produced and delivered to the required quality standards and deadlines.
Starting Salary: £36,000 - £42,000 per annum
Contract Period: Permanent
Holidays: 23 days plus Bank Holidays.
Working hours: Monday to Friday 08:30-18:00
Breaks: 30 mins lunch break and two 15 min breaks
Products: Upholstered seating, wall and floor panels Leather cladding of handrails and furniture
Key Responsibilities
Estimating & Pre-Production
Manage and support the estimating team based in Pakistan, ensuring quotations are accurate, commercially sound and delivered on time.
Review larger quotations to identify potential errors, omissions or under/over-charging.
Review design intent and construction drawings and identify changes or issues that may affect manufacture and costs.
Coordinate quotation revisions following design changes and ensure revised costs are agreed with clients.
Ensure orders and agreed changes are accurately reflected on Sage.
Obtain and review construction drawings and provide clients with practical feedback on manufacturability.
Ensure all fabrics, materials and specifications are confirmed before procurement.
Monitor material availability and communicate any potential long lead times or stock issues to clients.
Establish client collection deadlines and free-issue delivery dates, ensuring production is fully informed.
Prototype Samples & Design Support
Coordinate prototype samples required by the sales team in conjunction with the Production Manager.
Ensure prototypes are correctly documented, photographed and quality checked.
Support clients' design managers with upholstery, cladding and wrapping requirements.
Review joinery and design drawings to ensure they are suitable for the proposed manufacturing processes.
Produce sketches and supporting drawings where required to demonstrate manufacturing solutions.
Production & Quality Control
Ensure all relevant order details and specifications are accurately recorded, including materials, foam, thread colours and other production requirements.
Maintain accurate Sage records and update orders when there are changes to scope, specifications or collection dates.
Establish and maintain clear manufacturing and packaging quality standards.
Ensure every order is inspected, measured, quantified and checked against approved drawings before packing.
Ensure comprehensive photographic records are maintained for completed orders.
Work closely with the factory team to resolve quality issues and client complaints.
Coordinate snagging and corrective actions with the Factory Manager.
Ensure completed orders are correctly documented and submitted for invoicing.
Where possible, arrange the return or resale of surplus materials following project completion.
Site Visits & Client Meetings
Attend site visits for installation projects, taking and checking measurements and assessing site conditions.
Identify any issues that could affect installation and agree actions with the client.
Document site visit findings and ensure relevant teams are briefed.
Arrange quotation revisions where site conditions or measurements affect the scope of work.
Attend project meetings and ensure decisions, actions and responsibilities are clearly documented and followed through.
Factory Processes & Continuous Improvement
Review existing production systems and identify opportunities for improved efficiency and productivity.
Develop and introduce improved factory processes and systems.
Establish clear working standards and ensure production teams understand and follow them.
Work collaboratively with production and factory management to improve quality, efficiency and consistency.
Health & Safety
Support the implementation and maintenance of appropriate factory health and safety standards.
Ensure compliance with relevant HSE, COSHH, fire safety and workplace regulations.
Liaise with external Health & Safety advisers, including Moorepay.
Ensure appropriate numbers of trained First Aiders and Fire Marshals are maintained.
Maintain accident records and develop preventative measures following incidents.
Prepare RAMS for projects involving site work.
Coordinate CSCS training requirements for factory staff.
Support staff training and promote a strong health and safety culture.
Supplier Management
Review supplier performance and competitiveness.
Research and identify alternative suppliers for key production materials and consumables.
Support the business in achieving competitive pricing, reliable supply and appropriate quality standards.
About You
We are looking for someone who is commercially aware, technically minded and highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
You will ideally have experience within upholstery, furniture manufacturing, joinery, interior fit-out, contract furniture or a related manufacturing environment.
You should be confident working with clients, drawings, quotations and production teams, and be comfortable moving between office-based project management and practical factory/site requirements.
Key Skills & Experience
Experience in a pre-production, production, project management or manufacturing management role.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and production requirements.
Experience interpreting technical/design drawings.
Strong commercial and estimating awareness.
Excellent attention to detail and organisational skills.
Ability to identify potential production, design, cost and quality issues before they become problems.
Experience managing client relationships and resolving issues professionally.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Experience with quality control and continuous improvement.
Good understanding of Health & Safety requirements within a manufacturing environment.
Ability to work effectively with overseas teams and suppliers.
Proficient IT skills and experience using systems such as Sage would be advantageous.
Please apply now below or contact AMG Recruitment.