V&C
Operations Manager
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V&C Associates are delighted and excited to be partnering with a British heritage brand founded in 1812, holder of multiple Royal Warrants, and known worldwide for its bespoke craftsmanship and luxury goods, bags, Tote and leather travel accessories—now entering an ambitious new phase of global growth.
The Role
You'll take ownership of the day-to-day running of our production workshop—from planning and scheduling through to quality control and final finishing. This is a hands-on role for someone who understands both the discipline of running an efficient production line and the patience craftsmanship demands. You'll work closely with our pattern cutters, machinists, and finishers.
Key Responsibilities
Production Planning & Delivery
- Build and manage production schedules across multiple product lines, balancing capacity, lead times, and seasonal demand
- Own the critical path from cut leather through to finished, packaged product
- Monitor daily/weekly output against targets and proactively flag and resolve bottlenecks
- Manage stock and materials flow—leather, hardware, linings, and trims—working with suppliers to avoid production delays
Quality & Craftsmanship
- Set and uphold quality standards befitting a luxury product, at every stage of production
- Run quality inspections and final QC checks before goods leave the workshop
- Work with the design/product development team to translate new designs into repeatable, production-ready processes (patterns, tech packs, construction methods)
- Investigate and resolve any recurring quality issues at their root cause
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Team Leadership
- Manage and motivate a team of skilled leather craftspeople—cutters, machinists, and finishers
- Run training and apprenticeship programmes to develop technical skills and safeguard traditional craft techniques for the next generation
- Set clear performance expectations, conduct regular reviews, and build a positive, safety-conscious workshop culture
Continuous Improvement
- Identify opportunities to improve workshop layout, workflow, and efficiency without diluting hand-craftsmanship
- Introduce lean/process-improvement practices appropriate to a small-batch, high-quality manufacturing environment
- Maintain health & safety compliance across the workshop
Key Characteristics
- Proven experience as a Production Manager, Factory Manager, or Workshop Manager within a manufacturing environment—leathergoods, leather accessories, footwear, or another hand-crafted/luxury goods sector strongly preferred
- A genuine understanding of, and respect for, craft-based manufacturing—this is not a high-volume automated line
- Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple product lines and deadlines at once
- Experience managing and developing a skilled production team
- A practical, hands-on approach—comfortable being on the workshop floor, not just behind a desk
- Sound understanding of quality control processes and root-cause problem solving
- Based in or able to commute to Birmingham
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Desirable
- Experience working with vegetable-tanned or full-grain leather
- Background in a luxury or premium goods brand
- Formal qualifications in manufacturing/production management (e.g., Lean Six Sigma), though hands-on experience matters more than paper qualifications here
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, in line with production management roles in West Midlands manufacturing
- The opportunity to lead production for a brand with a genuine, century-plus heritage in British craftsmanship
- A rare chance to help shape how a traditional workshop scales for the future
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