Workshop Manager

Drake Trailers; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Drake Group is seeking a Brisbane Service Manager to oversee branch service operations, including customer experience, quoting, scheduling and invoicing. You will partner with Estimation, Engineering, Parts and Sales to ensure safe, efficient work that meets our high standards.

With a long-standing position in heavy transport and engineering, you will guide and develop the service team, drive commercial performance, and strengthen relationships with customers in Brisbane.

Qualifications

• At least 10 years’ experience supervising workshops in capital equipment, transport or related industry.
• Strong technical knowledge of heavy equipment, including low-loader trailers.
• Trade qualification in heavy equipment mechanics, welding, or equivalent.
• Ability to read technical drawings and determine repair processes across metal fabrication, electrical fitting, hydraulics and mechanical repairs.
• Demonstrated capability in job scoping, scheduling and workshop job control.
• Strong commercial awareness, including labour utilisation, job costing and invoicing.
• Confident customer communication and relationship-management skills.
• Experience leading teams, managing performance and building a culture of accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day service and repair operation, maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity and customer service.
• Manage customer enquiries and provide clear, proactive updates on job progress, expected completion dates and scope changes.
• Scope incoming work and collaborate with the National Estimator to prepare accurate, commercially sound quotations.
• Plan workshop activity, set job timelines and monitor labour efficiency, work in progress and delivery commitments.
• Monitor service revenue, labour utilisation, job margins and overall branch performance.
• Identify opportunities for re-builds, preventative maintenance, technical upgrades and additional service solutions.
• Build strong, long‑term customer relationships through regular communication and site visits.
• Lead, support and develop the service team while promoting accountability and a customer‑first culture.

Skills

Leadership

Customer communication

Team management

Relationship management

Strategic planning

Education

Trade qualification in heavy equipment mechanics or welding

Job description

With more than 60 years of combined engineering and manufacturing experience, The Drake Group designs and delivers innovative, high-quality products for Australian and international markets. A recognised leader in heavy haulage, we also specialise in servicing, repairing and overhauling heavy haulage trailers.

We provide innovative, practical transport solutions to our customers’ challenges. Guided by our values of Quality, Excellence, Adaptability and Service, our vision is to be the preferred solutions provider in every market we serve.

About the Role

Reporting to the Group Aftermarket Manager, the Brisbane Service Manager will oversee the branch’s customer-facing and workshop service operations.

You will take ownership of the customer experience, job scoping, quoting, scheduling, variation management, invoicing and service team performance. Working closely with Estimation, Engineering, Parts, and Sales, you will ensure work is completed safely, efficiently and to the standard expected by our customers.

This is an opportunity to lead from the front, strengthen service delivery and contribute directly to the commercial performance of the Brisbane operation.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the day-to-day service and repair operation, maintaining a strong focus on safety, quality, productivity and customer service.

Manage customer enquiries and provide clear, proactive updates on job progress, expected completion dates and scope changes.

Scope incoming work and collaborate with the National Estimator to prepare accurate, commercially sound quotations.

Plan workshop activity, set job timelines and monitor labour efficiency, work in progress and delivery commitments.

Monitor service revenue, labour utilisation, job margins and overall branch performance.

Identify opportunities for re-builds, preventative maintenance, technical upgrades and additional service solutions.

Build strong, long‑term customer relationships through regular communication and site visits.

Lead, support and develop the service team while promoting accountability and a customer‑first culture.

About You

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

At least 10 years’ experience supervising workshops within capital equipment, transport, heavy machinery or a related industry.

Strong technical knowledge of heavy equipment, ideally including low‑loader trailers.

A relevant trade qualification in heavy equipment mechanics, welding or an equivalent discipline.

The ability to read technical drawings and determine suitable repair processes across metal fabrication, electrical fitting, hydraulics and mechanical repairs.

Demonstrated capability in job scoping, scheduling and workshop job control.

Strong commercial awareness, including labour utilisation, job costing, margins and invoicing.

Confident customer communication and relationship‑management skills.

Experience leading teams, managing performance and building a culture of accountability.

Why Join The Drake Group?

Take ownership of an established Brisbane service and repair operation.

Join a recognised Australian heavy transport and engineering business.

Work in a varied leadership role combining customers, people, operations and commercial performance.

Collaborate with experienced technical, engineering, estimating, parts and sales teams.

Shape service processes and contribute directly to the continued improvement of the business.