Workshop Operations Manager

CDC Victoria; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

CDC Victoria is seeking an experienced Workshop Operations Manager to lead fleet maintenance across multiple depots in Melbourne and regional Victoria.

You will provide technical leadership, manage resources, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring safety, regulatory compliance and high maintenance standards in a large bus fleet.

Qualifications

• Five years of management experience in a bus fleet maintenance environment.
• Heavy Vehicle Trade Certificate is required.
• Current MR or HR driver’s licence.
• Strong technical knowledge in heavy vehicle maintenance and diagnostics.
• Experience coordinating maintenance resources across depots.

Responsibilities

• Promote consistent workmanship standards across workshop operations.
• Investigate recurring vehicle defects with teams, OEMs and suppliers.
• Provide leadership, coaching and technical guidance to workshop personnel.
• Support zero-emission vehicle readiness including battery-electric buses.
• Oversee fleet maintenance reporting to ensure contractual compliance.
• Influence multi-location resource management and maintenance practices.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Education

Heavy Vehicle Trade Certificate

Tools

Fleet maintenance systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

An exciting opportunity is available to join CDC Victoria, a well-established public transport operator delivering essential services across Melbourne and regional Victoria. As part of ComfortDelGro Australia, CDC Victoria combines the stability and resources of a large organisation with a strong focus on operational performance, safety and continuous improvement.

Position

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Workshop Operations Manager to provide technical and operational leadership across our fleet maintenance operations.

Reporting to the General Manager, Fleet Maintenance, this role will be responsible for coordinating maintenance resources, supporting workshop operations across multiple depots and leading our specialist Air Conditioning, Signage and Upholstery teams.

This is a varied leadership position that combines technical expertise, people management and operational oversight. You will work closely with Service Delivery Managers, workshop teams and other key stakeholders to improve fleet reliability, strengthen maintenance practices and ensure resources are effectively deployed across the business.

Beyond supporting day-to-day maintenance activities, you will have the opportunity to identify efficiencies, develop team capability and contribute to longer-term fleet and asset management strategies.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Promote consistent standards of workmanship across workshop operations, ensuring maintenance and repairs are completed safely, efficiently and in accordance with established procedures and manufacturer requirements.
• Support the investigation of recurring vehicle defects and breakdowns, working collaboratively with workshop teams, OEMs and suppliers to identify opportunities to improve fleet reliability and maintenance outcomes.
• Provide leadership, coaching and technical guidance to workshop personnel, supporting continuous improvement in maintenance practices, technical capability and overall workshop performance.
• Support the ongoing introduction and maintenance of zero‑emission vehicles, including battery‑electric buses, by assisting with workshop readiness, technician development and the adoption of new maintenance requirements.
• Oversee the accuracy, completeness and timely submission of fleet maintenance and performance reporting requirements under the contractual requirements, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and established reporting processes.
• With responsibility for supporting fleet maintenance across multiple operating locations, this role offers the opportunity to influence how maintenance resources are managed, improve consistency in operational practices and contribute to the performance of a substantial vehicle fleet.

Candidate

We are looking for an experienced fleet maintenance leader who combines strong technical knowledge with a practical, commercially focused approach to managing people and operations.

You will understand the challenges of maintaining a large heavy vehicle fleet and be confident balancing competing operational priorities, maintenance quality, regulatory compliance and cost efficiency.

You may already be managing fleet maintenance operations or leading a workshop team and be looking for an opportunity to broaden your influence across multiple locations.

To be successful, you will bring:

• A minimum of five years' management experience within a bus fleet maintenance environment.
• A Heavy Vehicle Trade Certificate and a current MR or HR driver's licence.
• Strong technical expertise in heavy vehicle maintenance, including diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical and vehicle system issues.
• Experience coordinating maintenance resources, managing competing workloads and supporting workshop operations.
• Demonstrated experience managing fleet inspection, registration and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proven ability to lead, coach and develop technical teams while maintaining high standards of performance and accountability.
• Sound commercial awareness, including maintenance budgets, cost management and asset planning.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships across operational and technical teams.
• Experience using fleet maintenance management systems and intermediate Microsoft Office skills.
• A proactive approach to workplace safety, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

Most importantly, you will be a leader who takes ownership, builds strong relationships and understands how to get the best out of people. You will be comfortable providing hands‑on technical guidance when required, while maintaining a broader focus on operational performance, fleet reliability and long‑term improvement.

Why Join CDC Victoria?

This is an opportunity to join an established transport organisation where your experience and leadership will make a tangible difference.

You will work with experienced operational and maintenance professionals, contribute to the performance of an extensive fleet and play an important role in supporting the delivery of essential public transport services.

About Us:

As one of the largest private bus operators across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria, CDC Victoria is in the business of “Linking People, Places and Communities”.

With a fleet of 750 buses and coaches, we employ over 1600 staff from 80 diverse nations, and operate out of 9 depots – in Ballarat, Geelong, Mildura, Broken Hill, Oakleigh, Airport West, Westmeadows, Albion and Truganina, which incorporates our Head Office.

We serve the community by providing essential public transport and offering reliable charter services to schools, sporting groups and other recreational groups within Victoria.

CDC is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to attracting and developing a diverse workforce that reflects the community we serve. We encourage and welcome applications from all genders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with a disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds