Company description
Danesmoor Group is a market-leading distributor of kitchen and bedroom components, proudly supplying the UK KBB industry for more than 110 years. We offer a comprehensive range of quality stocked products, flexible services and bespoke design options, supported by dedicated teams focused on expert advice and excellent customer service.
Function / Department description
Life Kitchens is a fast-growing, premium kitchen brand operating across Trade, Retail and Contracts channels. Supported by state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, Life manufactures fully assembled kitchens and bedrooms, with internals, fittings and frontals pre-fitted to a high standard.
Summary and Purpose
The Lead Machinist supports the Manufacturing & Production Supervisors by leading day-to-day machining activity, setting standards on the shop floor and helping the team achieve safe, accurate and efficient output. The role is hands-on and requires strong technical capability, good process discipline and the ability to coach others in correct machining methods, quality expectations and safe working practices.
The post holder will help ensure that machines, materials, tooling and job information are ready to meet the production plan. They will support problem solving, quality control, training, and continuous improvement across the machining area.
Main Responsibilities
- Lead and support daily activity within the machining area, ensuring work is completed safely, accurately and in line with the production plan.
- Set, operate and adjust machinery in line with product specifications, drawings, job tickets and standard operating procedures.
- Support the Manufacturing & Production Supervisors with labour coordination, work allocation and shift-to-shift communication.
- Check material, components, programmes, tooling and paperwork are available before work starts, escalating any shortages or issues promptly.
- Carry out first-off checks and routine quality checks to ensure output meets specification before work continues through the process.
- Coach and support Operators and Multi Skilled Machinists to build capability, consistency and ownership of standards.
- Promote good process control, clean working practices and continuous improvement across the machining area.
- Identify machine, tooling, quality or process issues and support root-cause problem solving with Supervisors, Engineering and Quality where required.
- Ensure non-conforming product is clearly identified, contained and escalated in line with internal procedure.
- Lead by example, upholding company values and maintaining a positive, professional presence on the shop floor.
General Duties
- Follow all health and safety requirements, risk assessments, safe systems of work and PPE standards.
- Maintain a clean, safe and organised working area, including machine housekeeping and basic operator care routines.
- Support the creation, review and use of SOPs for machining tasks, training and audit compliance.
- Ensure machine checks, quality checks and relevant documentation are completed accurately and on time.
- Assist with training, induction and skills development for employees working in the machining area.
- Build effective working relationships with Supervisors, Planning, Engineering, Quality and other manufacturing areas.
- Use production systems, trackers and Microsoft Office tools as required to support daily control and reporting.
- Carry out other reasonable tasks and duties as required to support the needs of the business.
Personal Attributes
- Strong understanding of machining processes, quality standards and safe working practices.
- Ability to read and interpret job information, drawings, specifications and production documents.
- Calm, confident and visible on the shop floor, with the ability to guide others in a practical way.
- Good communication skills, with the confidence to escalate issues clearly and promptly.
- Positive team player with a flexible approach and the ability to adapt in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
- Well organised, able to prioritise workload and maintain standards under pressure.
- Problem-solving mindset with a focus on doing the job right first time.
Authorities
- Authority to stop machining activity and seek guidance if there is a safety concern, quality concern, missing information or risk of producing non-conforming work.
- Authority to escalate machine, tooling, material or process issues to the Manufacturing & Production Supervisors, Engineering, Quality or Planning as required.
- Authority to challenge poor process control, unsafe practice or quality standards that fall below expectation.
Skills and Experience Required
Experience
Essential
Experience in a manufacturing or machining environment. Able to set, operate and troubleshoot relevant machinery.
Desirable
Previous lead operator or team leader experience.
Knowledge
Essential
Understanding of safe working practices, product specifications, quality checks and process control.
Desirable
Knowledge of lean principles and continuous improvement tools.
Skills
Essential
Good communication, organisation, problem solving and coaching skills.
Desirable
Microsoft Office and production system experience.
Qualifications
Essential
Relevant machine training or competence for the equipment used in the area.
Desirable
IOSH, First Aid, Fire Marshal or recognised manufacturing qualification.
Physical requirements
Essential
Ability to work in a manufacturing environment and remain flexible in line with business needs.
Desirable
Multi-skilled across more than one machining process.
