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Senior Goldsmith
As senior goldsmith, you support the head of production and be responsible for all output from the bench and workshop. You lead the production team, ensuring production efficiency, resolving supply chain problems and dealing with workshop health and safety requirements.
Having worked on fine and bespoke work on the bench at a high level, you also monitor making techniques, deliver training and watch out for and deal with manufacturing issues.
Your responsibilities also include setting quality standards, improving technical knowledge across the business and planning and reporting workflow deliverables and deadlines to senior management.
Length of Training
7-10 Years
Salary Expectations
£35,000+
Qualification Requirements
Experience
You have 5 to 10-plus years at the bench, along with team leadership and production management experience. You have a solid background in a workshop, understanding production and manufacturing processes and techniques, innovation and efficiency improvements.
Knowledge
You’re a materials expert, know how metals respond and how to get the best out of production and manufacturing techniques.
You’re a problem solver on and off the bench, resolving technical making issues as well asproblems in the production supply chain.
You have experience of quality control and know how to overcome QC issues.
You know the product is only as good as the team, so you strive to be an excellent team leader to get the best out of the people you work with.
You’re extremely experienced in precious metals, gemstones and diamonds and have
worked on production jewellery, fine and high jewellery as well as done bespoke work. And you use your knowledge
to provide guidance and share skills with those on the bench who may need technical advice or help.
Skills
Personal Attributes
Qualification Requirements
You have a technical background, either an apprenticeship or technical training (HND, Design for Industry or degree).
You have 10 to 15 years of production and management experience.
Role Also Called
Workshop manager, Senior goldsmith, Senior jeweller, Master jeweller, Master goldsmith, Head goldsmith
Meet the Senior Goldsmith
Insights from award-winning Goldsmith Ben Parry, Workshop Manager at Wongs Jewellers in Liverpool.
Question
Why did you want to become a goldsmith?
Answer
When I was younger, I was obsessed with Lego and building things and wanted to become an inventor. I’ve always had an interest in practical trade work, and I was taught from about the age of 12 how to plaster by my dad. I got a Saturday job at a jewellers when I was 14, as my neighbour mentioned to the owner that I may be interested. As soon as I saw how things were being made and how skillfully pieces were put together I developed an interest immediately.
Question
Where did you train?
Answer
The first jewellers I worked in was a local jewellers, which I started when I was just 14. I was doing basic jewellery and watch repairs, learning the simple skills required to be a professional goldsmith. As I got older, I heard about Wongs Jewellers- their workshop was renowned in Liverpool for their quality and fantastic craftsmanship. After three failed attempts over a few years of applying, they finally saw sense and took me on! Wongs has given me lots of training to get to where I am currently.
Question
Have you undertaken additional training since you started working?
Answer
I have completed a JET1 and JET2 qualification through the NAJ to expand my knowledge of jewellery and gemstones. This has been invaluable as, being in the workshop, you are the ‘go to’ person when customers or team members have a query – so it’s important to have a solid understanding of all aspects of jewellery. I also undertook the GIA diamond course at home during lockdown; this was useful as it was something productive I could do while I couldn’t be at the bench.
You truly do never stop learning in this trade, which is why I find the job so exciting and interesting. I’m always looking to take on new training and courses in fields I’m not yet versed in.
Question
Do you work on your own or as part of a team?
Answer
We have a large team at Wongs, and because the workshop is on-site, we have a close working relationship with everyone – from the sales floor to the accounts team to the social media department. It’s brilliant as there are always people to support you or vice versa. We are all active in creating social media content, and the workshop team will come out and talk directly to customers on the sales floor if needed. There are 5 of us in the workshop, including Brian Wong and Peter Wong, the owners. I also have an apprentice, Max, who is already proving to be a great asset to our team, and it’s brilliant to know we have people training to help grow the business in the future.
Question
What advice would you give to somebody wanting to become a goldsmith?
Answer
There are lots of courses and funding available to young people now, and I would say take advantage of as many as you can, even in areas like social media and content creation; this would be a valuable and unique asset to bring to the role that would be something that would make you stand out from the rest. It’s your attitude and passion that people are looking for when employing you; the skills can be trained. If you can gain practical experience or show some rough drawings/concepts, it will show employers that you have a passion for what you’re doing and are worth investing in.
You could do what I did and find the workshop you want to work in and keep applying until they say yes!
