Candle Maker / Workshop Manager

The role

Oast & Rye is a small, independent candle brand based in South Wimbledon, south-west London. We pour our candles by hand in our own workshop and sell them direct and to trade customers, from independent gift shops to hotels and pubs.

We’re looking for a hands-on Candle Making & Workshop Manager to own production day to day. You’ll make the candles, run the workshop, and make sure every order leaves us well made, well packed and on time. It’s a small team, so you’ll have real ownership and a direct line to the directors.

What you’ll do

Production

• Plan and run candle production to meet stock levels, direct orders and trade orders.
• Pour, cure and finish our range, including single-wick, three-wick and five wick candles, to a consistent standard.
• Follow and maintain our recipes and processes: wax, fragrance loads, wicking and pour temperatures.
• Test new fragrances, vessels and wick set-ups, and record burn-test results.

Quality and packing

• Check every batch for finish, scent throw and burn performance before it’s boxed.
• Pack orders so they arrive intact, protecting glass and fragrance bottles without over-packing heavy boxes.
• Investigate breakages and customer complaints, and arrange replacements quickly.

Workshop and stock

• Keep the workshop clean, organised and safe, including safe handling and storage of hot wax and fragrance oils.
• Track raw materials and packaging (wax, wicks, fragrance, vessels, boxes) and flag reorders in good time.
• Receive deliveries and keep finished stock counts accurate.

Orders and customers

• Prepare trade and wholesale orders and book couriers, choosing services and delivery instructions that suit each customer.
• Suggest improvements to products, processes and packaging as the range grows.

About you

Essential

• Experience with hands-on production work (soap, cosmetics, ceramics, food).
• Careful and consistent
• Organised enough to plan your own week and keep stock and materials under control.
• Comfortable lifting boxes and on your feet for most of the day.
• Confident using email.

Nice to have

• Experience with container candles, soy or rapeseed wax blends, and wick testing.
• Experience packing fragile goods for courier delivery.
• Interest in fragrance, interiors or independent retail.

How to apply: email your CV and a few lines on why the role suits you to [email protected], with “Workshop Manager” in the subject line.

Pay: From £30,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person