Kind of a long post.

I just got hired about a month ago as a production manager at a small-ish cabinet shop.

A little background: I got into woodworking about seven years ago when my best friend and his dad hired me at their custom furniture shop. Did that for a year, then went to a full on cabinet shop for three years. Then got a different job installing custom closet systems (a little cabinetry involved but mostly IKEA style with cam screws and the like) for about two years. Which brings me to now.

I am in a trial period where I haven't been given any real responsibilities as far as production management goes. I am not yet involved in anything regarding scheduling or inventory. My goal has been to learn as much as possible about the shop and how it operates, but it has been challenging. I get the sense that they are gauging my capabilities as a cabinet maker, and I am rusty. There haven't been any real major mistakes, but I constantly have to ask people for clarification on how things work. My tasks are given to me one at a time with no context of when they need to be completed, and when I finish I have to hunt someone down to ask what to do next. Furthermore, there are some processes they do that I simply never had to do at my old jobs. I am not the best with a handheld router, haven't had to use a jointer very much, and a few other things that seem like beginner level stuff.

I feel like I am coming across as an inexperienced goober. To make matters worse, I am younger than everyone else in the shop (I am 29) and look like it too. I know that I have every right to work in a cabinet shop, but the idea of being in charge of work flow seems extremely daunting. I get the sense that my coworkers are unimpressed by me so far and annoyed by the amount of questions I ask.

Today I made the biggest mistake so fat, by fucking up a piece of laminate that had to be reordered. I was told that it's okay, but it doesn't feel like it to me and I am spiraling.

I know how to make cabinets. I know how to mill wood, fabricate box parts, build the cases, apply face frames, sand, finish, and install. I did not lie or pad my resume with bullshit. They hired me based on factual information that I provided. But I cannot shake the feeling that I am in way over my head.

Any advice is much appreciated.