Head of Carpentry Business Operations

About the Role

Key Responsibilities

1. Business Unit Leadership & Growth

• Provide overall operational and commercial leadership for the Carpentry Business Unit.
• Formulate and execute annual business plans, production strategy, and financial performance targets.
• Identify expansion opportunities across construction, property development, hospitality, and corporate fit-out sectors.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and report monthly business results to senior executive management.

2. Commercial & Business Development

• Develop and maintain a strong sales pipeline across B2B and private client segments.
• Review drawings, specifications, and BOQs to oversee accurate cost estimation, pricing, and proposal creation.
• Ensure all quotations adequately account for materials, labor, machinery, logistics, overheads, and profit margins.
• Negotiate commercial terms, track quotation conversion rates, and manage customer relationships.

3. Production & Workshop Operations

• Oversee daily workshop activities including cutting, processing, assembly, sanding, finishing, and packaging.
• Formulate production schedules aligned with client order requirements to optimize capacity and machine utilization.
• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), identify bottlenecks, and minimize machine downtime and labor inefficiencies.
• Implement robust production procedures to reduce rework and eliminate manufacturing delays.

4. Cost Control & Financial Management

• Maintain continuous oversight of job-level costing, gross margins, and division profitability.
• Analyze material consumption, labor hours, and operational variances against approved job budgets.
• Identify loss-making jobs and implement corrective actions to enforce cost discipline.
• Partner with Finance to monitor billing, interim milestones, receivables, and cash collections.

5. Procurement & Inventory Control

• Oversee material planning for timber, boards, hardware, paints, adhesives, and related production supplies.
• Establish strict controls over storage, stock handling, and material wastage.
• Coordinate with Procurement/Stores to avoid inventory shortages while maintaining optimal stock levels.
• Conduct periodic physical inventory audits and investigate stock variances.

6. Site Installation & Project Delivery

• Plan and supervise site installation teams to ensure timely delivery and high-quality workmanship.
• Confirm site readiness prior to dispatching teams, materials, and custom joinery products.
• Coordinate with main Project Managers, Site Engineers, and clients to manage snagging, rectifications, and final sign-offs.

7. Quality Assurance & Workshop Machinery

• Implement strict QA/QC standards from raw material receipt through final dispatch and installation.
• Maintain records of defects, NCRs, and customer feedback to drive continuous operational improvement.
• Oversee preventive maintenance schedules for all workshop machinery and equipment to ensure safe and continuous operation.

8. HSEQ, Systems & Leadership

• Enforce adherence to Tanzanian safety legislation, workplace health rules, chemical handling, and fire prevention.
• Oversee full data accuracy in the company ERP system (work orders, job codes, material requisitions).
• Supervise, mentor, and build a high-performing team of carpenters, machine operators, polishers, and site supervisors.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Business Management, Operations Management, Production Management, Construction, Wood Technology, Interior Design, or a related discipline.
• Experience:
  • 8–10+ years of total experience in carpentry, joinery, furniture manufacturing, interior fit-outs, or related operations.
  • 3–5+ years in a senior managerial or operational leadership role managing workshop production and site installations.
• Commercial & Technical Expertise:
  • Demonstrated track record in commercial costing, pricing, BOQ estimation, and margin management.
  • Strong background in business development, customer relationship management, and contract negotiation.
  • Hands-on experience with ERP/job-costing systems and workshop capacity planning.
• Leadership & Operations: Practical experience supervising multidisciplinary teams (carpenters, polishers, machine operators, installers).

How to Apply