Purdey Gunmaker
About Purdey
Purdey, a distinguished member of the Richemont Group, stands as a paragon of excellence in the luxury sector, specializing in guns, rifles, clothing, and accessories. As part of Richemont, a global leader in luxury goods, Purdey benefits from a rich heritage of craftsmanship and innovation. The brand is committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace, offering employees the opportunity to thrive in a prestigious and supportive environment.
Purdey seeks an experienced Gunmaker in London to craft bespoke shotguns and rifles to exacting standards while supporting continuous product development.
Role & Responsibilities
- Produce Purdey shotguns and rifles according to individual specifications, maintaining strict timelines, budgets, and quality standards
- Perform all craftsmanship and machining processes involved in the production of shotguns and rifles, both current and future products
- Assist the Technical department with feedback, advice, and support during CAD/CAM development and product refinement
- Continuously identify and implement new processes, tooling methods, and techniques to improve quality and reliability
- Support craft managers in organizing and developing workshop activities, ensuring efficient team coordination
- Demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement in quality, productivity, output, and teamwork practices
- Explain craft processes to visitors and customers in a professional and courteous manner
- Maintain a safe working environment by following all procedures and protocols, using safety equipment correctly, and reporting concerns to management
- Actively participate in Purdey's factory production team culture, upholding the brand's professional standards and heritage
- Participate in quality assurance initiatives with the goal of reducing rework and achieving the highest finished product standards
- Support the achievement of production schedules to ensure timely delivery of all firearms
- Assist in acquiring current and new tooling to optimize quality and cost while preserving the hand-made, bespoke brand reputation
- Support implementation of processes and procedures aligned with company objectives
- Assist with cost-effective and timely maintenance of factory equipment and machinery
- Develop and safeguard all information to maintain intellectual property and product excellence
Qualifications
- Time-served gunmaking apprenticeship, ideally certificated by The London Proof House
- BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or related subject (for new apprentices)
- Sound craft knowledge in specialist area with breadth and depth across all gunmaking disciplines
- Strong communication, teamwork, and motivation skills
- Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with all organizational levels and external customers
- Proven problem-solving ability with resourcefulness and adaptability
Skills
Experience
["Completion of a time-served gunmaking apprenticeship or equivalent formal training in firearm manufacturing", "Practical experience in all craftsmanship and machining processes related to shotgun and rifle production", "Demonstrated track record of achieving quality standards and meeting production deadlines"]
Education
["Time-served gunmaking apprenticeship (essential); BTEC Level 3 in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline (preferred)"]
Workplace
The role is situated in London, England, UK.
Culture
Purdey and the Richemont Group celebrate diversity and the unique contributions of each employee. The company values freedom, collegiality, loyalty, and solidarity, fostering an environment of empathy, curiosity, courage, humility, and integrity. Purdey is committed to making a positive impact on the world and encourages a culture of continuous learning and development.
About Cerulean
Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.
Frequently Asked Questions
The luxury industry is characterised by a diverse and nuanced nomenclature. Esteemed houses frequently employ proprietary terminology, and even within a single organisation like Purdey, titles may vary across global markets to reflect local conventions. To ensure absolute clarity, Cerulean assigns a standardised, industry-coherent canonical title to every listing. However, it is worth noting that this role is functionally synonymous with «Firearms Craftsman», «Bespoke Gun Manufacturer», «Rifle Artisan», «Shotgun Craftsperson», and other variations. Our sophisticated search architecture anticipates these variations, ensuring that inquiries using related terms will seamlessly yield the exact roles you desire.