Machine Shop Manager

Machine Shop Manager (Confidential Client) South Birmingham / Rubery | £50,000–£60,000 + benefits | Permanent A rare opportunity for a hands-on engineer to lead a bespoke craft workshop — whether you’re already managing a small team or ready to take that next step. If you love making things work in the real world — and you’re looking for a role where your craft, problem-solving instincts, and people skills actually matter — this is one of those once-in-a-career chances. We’re supporting a long-established British manufacturer that creates one-off, handcrafted pieces — blending artistry, metalwork, and mechanical precision. Every project is unique, every challenge creative, and every product is made to order for discerning clients across the UK and beyond. They’re now looking for a hands-on Machine Shop Manager — or rather, someone who could become one. The current workshop lead is nearing retirement and wants to pass on decades of practical knowledge to a bright, curious successor who still loves making things work with their own hands. This isn’t a corporate “lean manufacturing” environment. It’s a workshop where design meets reality — where beautifully ambitious drawings sometimes need a practical rethink. Your first job is to spot what won’t quite work on those drawings, and find a way to make it happen without losing the designer’s vision. You’ll use a mix of manual and NC-controlled machinery, traditional methods, and creative problem-solving to bring intricate concepts to life. You don’t need years of management experience — just good people skills, a mechanical brain, and a love of tinkering. If you’ve ever restored a car, built something in your shed, or re-engineered a part because you knew there was a better way — this is your kind of place. Why this is special * Direct mentorship from a master craftsman. * Learn how to take designs from concept to finished pieces. * Unique exposure to bespoke, high-value projects. * Accelerated path to running the workshop as it grows. * Significant investment behind the business — ideas get funded here. If you're a practical maker with ambition — someone who wants to build a career on real craft and skill — we’d love to hear from you