Service Manager

Slade Group; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Slade Group is seeking an experienced Service Manager in Melbourne to lead a 12-person service team, overseeing delivery, efficiency and profitability. The role focuses on people leadership, developing technical service capabilities and achieving key commercial targets.

The position reports to the Australia & New Zealand Service Manager and emphasizes coaching, strategic planning and collaborative working with Sales, Parts and other departments to optimise service outcomes.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a Service Manager, Workshop Manager or similar leadership position.
• Recognised Mechanical or Electrical trade qualification.
• Experience with trucks, heavy vehicles, earthmoving, construction equipment or heavy machinery.
• Proven experience leading and developing technical service teams.
• Strong commercial acumen with budgets, profitability and KPIs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a team of 12 across service operations.
• Oversee workshop and field service delivery with efficient scheduling and resources.
• Manage departmental profitability, budgets, labour utilisation and gross margins.
• Coach and mentor team members to improve productivity and service quality.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships and high satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to grow service revenue and develop service agreements.
• Oversee service quotations, work orders and operational reporting.
• Collaborate with Sales, Parts and other departments to ensure service quality.
• Ensure WHS compliance and adherence to company procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement across service processes and performance.

Skills

People leadership

Service operations

Team development

Customer relationships

Education

Mechanical or Electrical trade qualification

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead a team of 12, overseeing service delivery, operational performance, customer relationships and departmental profitability.

This is a leadership-focused position suited to someone who understands the heavy equipment industry and has a proven track record of managing technical teams, improving operational efficiency and delivering strong commercial outcomes.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Service Manager Australia & New Zealand, you will take overall responsibility for the performance of the service department, overseeing workshop and field service operations.

Your focus will be on leading and developing your team, ensuring effective resource allocation, maintaining high customer service standards and achieving financial and operational targets.

While a strong technical understanding of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems is important, this is primarily a people leadership and service operations management role, rather than a hands-on technical position.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop a team of 12 across service operations.
• Oversee workshop and field service delivery, ensuring efficient scheduling and resource allocation.
• Manage departmental profitability, budgets, labour utilisation and gross margins.
• Coach and mentor team members to improve productivity, performance and service quality.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships, ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.
• Identify opportunities to grow service revenue and develop customer service agreements.
• Oversee service quotations, work orders and operational reporting.
• Work closely with Sales, Parts and other departments to ensure effective service delivery.
• Ensure compliance with workplace health and safety standards and company procedures.
• Drive continuous improvement across service processes, team performance and operational efficiency.

About You

We are seeking an established service leader who brings a combination of technical industry knowledge, commercial awareness and strong people management capabilities.

Ideally, you will have:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in a Service Manager, Workshop Manager or similar leadership position.
• A recognised Mechanical or Electrical trade qualification.
• Experience within trucks, heavy vehicles, earthmoving, construction equipment or heavy machinery.
• Proven experience leading and developing technical service teams.
• A sound understanding of mechanical, electrical and hydraulic systems.
• Strong commercial acumen, including managing budgets, service profitability and operational KPIs.
• Excellent customer relationship management and communication skills.
• Experience driving operational improvements and developing high-performing teams.
• Strong planning, organisational and problem-solving abilities.
• A current unrestricted driver's licence.

What's on Offer?

• Leadership responsibility for an established team of 12.
• Ownership of service operations and departmental performance.
• Opportunity to drive operational improvements and business growth.
• Ongoing professional development and leadership opportunities.
• A varied management role combining people leadership, commercial performance and customer relationships.