Workshop Service Manager

Description:

Workshop Service Manager

Location: Frome

Company Overview

A well-established commercial vehicle maintenance and logistics organisation specialising in temperature-controlled transport and fleet operations. The business operates a busy HGV workshop supporting both external customers and an in-house fleet of heavy goods and refrigerated vehicles.

This is a key leadership role within a respected workshop environment, offering the opportunity to lead operations, improve efficiency, and maintain high standards of safety, compliance, and service delivery.

Role Overview

Reporting to the General Manager, the Workshop Service Manager is responsible for the safe, compliant, and efficient running of the HGV workshop. You will lead the workshop team, oversee fleet maintenance and compliance, manage budgets, and work closely with transport and operations teams to minimise downtime and ensure service excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Workshop Leadership & Operations

You will manage day-to-day workshop activity, ensuring servicing, repairs, and maintenance are completed safely, on time, and to a high standard. This includes planning and allocating work across technicians, apprentices, and contractors, monitoring productivity and workflow, and managing scheduling to minimise vehicle off-road (VOR) time.

You will also liaise with customers, suppliers, and manufacturers as required, take a proactive approach to fleet reliability by identifying trends and implementing preventative maintenance, and ensure full compliance with legal, manufacturer, health & safety, and environmental standards. Workshop budgeting and cost control will also form a key part of the role.

Fleet Maintenance & Compliance

You will ensure all vehicles meet DVSA, Operator Licence, and legal compliance requirements, managing PMI schedules, MOT preparation, inspections, and defect rectification. This includes maintaining accurate service records and documentation, carrying out quality checks on completed work, and overseeing statutory inspections such as lifting equipment, tail lifts, and refrigeration systems.

People Management

You will lead, motivate, and develop a team of workshop staff, conducting performance reviews and identifying training needs. A strong safety-first culture is essential, along with supporting recruitment and onboarding when required.

Budgeting, Performance & Procurement

You will manage workshop budgets covering labour, parts, tooling, and consumables, while maintaining supplier relationships to ensure value for money. You will also monitor key performance indicators such as VOR, cost per vehicle, compliance, and turnaround times, driving efficiency improvements and maintaining stock control.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

You will work closely with transport and planning teams and senior leadership to prioritise fleet requirements, communicate operational risks or delays, and contribute to continuous improvement across the business.

Skills & Experience

You should have experience in an HGV workshop environment, ideally as a technician or supervisor, with strong technical knowledge of HGV maintenance, diagnostics, and modern vehicle systems. A solid understanding of DVSA compliance and Operator Licence requirements is essential.

You will also need strong leadership, planning, and organisational skills, with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, compliance-driven environment. Confidence with workshop systems, Microsoft Office, and strong attention to detail are also important, along with a strong understanding of health & safety regulations such as PUWER and LOLER.

Preferred Qualifications

IMI Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Maintenance (or equivalent), IRTEC accreditation (desirable), IOSH Managing Safely, and a full UK HGV licence (preferred). Refrigeration/F-Gas certification is also an advantage.

What We Offer

A competitive salary (depending on experience), a secure role within an established commercial vehicle workshop, training and development opportunities, and a supportive working environment focused on safety, quality, and compliance. Benefits include life insurance, on-site parking, and 28 days holiday including bank holidays