Workshop manager – transport

Workshop Management

Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the workshop, ensuring that operations are efficient, well organised and aligned with fleet requirements. Plan, coordinate and control all maintenance and repair activities. Manage workflow, allocate tasks to mechanics, artisans and technical personnel, and monitor vehicles entering and leaving the workshop. Ensure that repairs are completed correctly, within agreed turnaround times and to consistently high standards of workmanship. Maintain appropriate control over workshop facilities, tools and equipment, ensuring that they remain properly maintained.

Fleet Maintenance

Manage the maintenance and repair of a large fleet of heavy commercial trucks, trailers and related equipment . Implement preventative and scheduled maintenance programmes, ensuring that services are completed at the prescribed intervals. Monitor vehicle condition and identify potential mechanical failures before they result in breakdowns. Oversee major mechanical repairs and component replacements, including engines, gearboxes, differentials, braking systems, suspension and electrical systems. Ensure accurate diagnostics and effective fault finding, coordinate breakdown repairs and emergency maintenance, and prioritise activities that minimise downtime and maximise fleet availability.

Preventative Maintenance

Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules based on vehicle kilometres, service intervals and maintenance history. Ensure that vehicles are serviced before reaching critical maintenance thresholds. Identify recurring mechanical problems, analyse breakdown trends and implement lasting corrective solutions. Continually improve maintenance practices to strengthen fleet reliability and extend vehicle and component life.

Breakdown Management

Ensure that breakdowns receive a prompt and effective response. Coordinate workshop and roadside repair teams, determine whether vehicles should be repaired on site or recovered to the workshop, and ensure that the necessary technical resources and spare parts are available. Monitor breakdown frequency, investigate recurring failures and implement practical measures to reduce roadside breakdowns and operational disruptions.

Staff Management

Lead and manage the workshop team, including diesel mechanics, auto electricians, artisans, technicians, workshop supervisors, apprentices, workshop assistants and support staff. Allocate daily work, monitor productivity and establish clear performance standards for workmanship and repair turnaround times. Hold team members accountable for the quality and timely completion of their work. Identify training and development needs, mentor technical personnel and manage attendance, overtime, discipline and performance. Promote a professional, productive and safety-focused workshop culture.

Parts and Stores Control

Work closely with parts and procurement teams to ensure that critical spares are available and that appropriate stock levels are maintained for fast-moving and essential components. Monitor parts and component consumption, ensuring that items are correctly issued against individual vehicles and job cards. Reduce unnecessary or excessive parts usage and support supplier evaluations and technical component sourcing where required. Evaluate repair-versus-replacement decisions to ensure that maintenance remains cost-effective.

Cost and Budget Management

Prepare and control workshop budgets, manage operating costs and monitor maintenance expenditure. Track maintenance costs per vehicle and per kilometre, investigate high-cost vehicles and analyse recurring repair expenditure. Control overtime, parts, tyres, lubricants and external repair costs, and review quotations for major repairs and outsourced work. Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs without compromising vehicle safety or reliability. Provide management with accurate maintenance and expenditure reports.

Job Cards and Administration

Ensure that all repairs and maintenance activities are supported by accurate job cards and comprehensive vehicle maintenance histories. Maintain complete records of labour hours, parts usage and external repair costs. Monitor open job cards and outstanding repairs, keep technical records accurate and up to date, and prepare regular workshop performance and fleet maintenance reports.

Vehicle Inspections and Quality Control

Implement effective pre- and post-maintenance inspection procedures and ensure that vehicles are thoroughly checked before being returned to service. Conduct quality checks on completed repairs, investigate and rectify faults reported by drivers, and confirm that vehicles meet company standards and roadworthiness requirements.

Health, Safety and Compliance

Maintain strict