SURREY WILDLIFE TRUST

NORBURY PARK WOOD PRODUCTS – Mickleham, Nr Leatherhead

Norbury Park Wood Products (NPWP) is a wholly owned trading subsidiary of Surrey Wildlife Trust (SWT), which is a registered charity and a company limited by guarantee.

NPWP is located in the heart of the Surrey Hills, and is comprised of a Sawmill and Workshop. The Sawmill takes “in the round” trees, predominantly English Oak, strips the bark and cuts them into manageable sized timber. This sawn timber is then sold directly to customers and is also used in the Workshop to produce a range of high quality custom made Countryside Furniture and Wood Products.

Job Profile -Workshop Coordinator/Supervisor (Craftsman/Carpenter)

The Workshop Coordinator/Supervisor is the key team member responsible for the coordination of the workshop and sawmill operation; working to the production target set for the year, this role reports to the Sawmill Manager. Together with other team members, the Coordinator/Supervisor is also a working Craftsman responsible for the production of high quality catalogue and bespoke wood products made from green and kiln-dried oak and a variety of softwoods.

Key responsibilities

1.Workshop Coordinator/Supervisor:

  • Production – organise workshop staff (and volunteers) to effectively and economically produce orders on time/to schedule agreed with Sawmill Manager.
  • Quality of work – ensure products are made to a consistent high quality, checking during production and when products are complete.
  • Health & Safety - Maintain workshop LEV records, ensure H&S rules and procedures are followed, ensure accidents and incidents are always reported through the agreed procedure.
  • Timber stocks – maintain adequate stock levels, liaise with sawyer to replenish stocks or cut for specific jobs; hardware & consumables – maintain adequate stock levels and advise office staff when replenishments are required.
  • Yard Work – assist sawyer personally or supply suitable staff or volunteers to help as necessary when outside work requires two or more people.
  • Housekeeping – ensure workshop and stock rooms are kept in a safe, clean and tidy state.
  • Team Management - establish and maintain good working relationships and communication with team members; ensure that employees and volunteers are adequately supervised, taking into account their competences/versatility to maximise productivity and to generate job satisfaction and reward for each individual.
  • Deputise - in the absence of the Sawmill Manager be able to assume responsibility for the continuation of the operation, coordinating the workshop and the office activities.
  • Development - identify ways productivity can be improved, working with the team to research and write up ideas so that they can be brought forward for discussion and implementation
  • Understand the bigger picture for Norbury Park Wood Products, particularly its links to the conservation and ecological aims of Surrey Wildlife Trust.

2.Craftsman/Carpenter/Bench Joiner:

  • Build green and kiln dried wood products mainly in oak to a high standard of workmanship. These products are both standard designs and bespoke designs to fit customer requirements.
  • Maintain and build upon the consistently high standards of workmanship and quality to enhance and improve the reputation of the business.
  • Advise customers with bespoke design requirements on the most appropriate design to meet their needs.
  • Assist in the grading and organisation of timber in the yard.
  • Be responsible for minimising waste from the production process

Key skills and experience:

  • Required:
  • competence in traditional carpentry techniques and in the use of wood working machinery
  • experience supervising/coordinating a production team
  • desire to produce high quality workmanship with a good eye for detail
  • reliable, willing, cooperative person with good team working skills
  • physically fit in order to be able to comply with job requirements
  • own transport in order to access the site
  • Advantageous:
  • experience of green wood working, routing, chain saw use and fork lift driving
  • some knowledge of CNC routing and its application