Head of Countrystyle Workshops

Countrystyle Recycling Ltd; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Life Insurance

Wellbeing programme

Electric car scheme

Cycle to work

Company events

GymFlex

Job summary

Countrystyle Recycling Ltd is seeking a Head of Countrystyle Workshops to provide strategic leadership across multiple workshop sites, ensuring safety, compliance and strong vehicle availability in Kent.

You will set the strategic direction, lead Workshop Managers and technicians, drive continuous improvement, manage budgets and maintain DVSA standards while optimizing fleet performance and risk.

Qualifications

• Senior-level leadership with proven multi-site oversight.
• Experience managing multi-site HGV/LGV workshop operations.
• Strategic thinker with hands-on operations.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.
• Strong problem-solving and root-cause analysis.
• High attention to detail and process orientation.
• Proven track record owning workshop budgets and safety compliance.
• Experience driving compliance, audits and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Set and own strategic direction for all Countrystyle workshop operations across all sites.
• Lead fleet engineering, compliance, and workshop governance.
• Develop and implement workshop policies, standards, and procedures.
• Report to Operations Director/CEO on KPIs, risk and performance.
• Lead Workshop Managers and senior technicians across all sites.
• Drive safety culture, continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
• Drive standardisation of processes, systems and reporting.
• Ensure 100% PEM compliance across all sites and vehicle types.
• Maintain DVSA compliance, Operator Licence undertakings, manufacturer standards.
• Oversee MOT prep and first-time pass rates.
• Manage budgets, costs and procurement across sites.

Skills

Exceptional leadership

Multi-site operational management

Strategic thinking

Excellent communication

Problem-solving & root cause analysis

Attention to detail

Fleet compliance knowledge

Budget management

Job description

Job Title: Head of Countrystyle Workshops

Location: Ridham Dock Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8SR (Ridham & Group Sites)

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 50 hours per week, flexibility required

About Us

Countrystyle is a member of the family-owned Heathcote Holdings Group of resource management companies and as a family run business our people and customers are at the heart of our growth and drive for passion for solution focused service.

About the role

To provide strategic leadership and operational oversight across all Countrystyle workshop facilities, ensuring fleet assets are maintained to the highest standards of safety, compliance, cost-efficiency, and operational readiness. Acting as the senior authority for all workshop operations across the group, this role drives performance, compliance, continuous improvement, and the development of a high-performing engineering culture across multiple sites.

Responsibilities

• Set and own the strategic direction for all Countrystyle workshop operations across all sites.


• Act as the group's senior authority on fleet engineering, compliance, and workshop governance.


• Develop and implement workshop policies, standards, and operating procedures across the group.


• Report directly to the Operations Director / CEO on workshop KPIs, risk, and performance.


• Lead, inspire, and develop Workshop Managers and senior technicians across all sites.


• Build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, safety, and engineering excellence.


• Drive standardisation of processes, systems, and reporting across all workshop sites.


• Ensure 100% Planned Event Maintenance (PEM) compliance across all sites and vehicle types.


• Ensure full adherence to DVSA requirements, Operator Licence undertakings, manufacturer standards, and company policy.


• Oversee MOT preparation and presentation performance, targeting consistently high first-time pass rates.


• Ensure no vehicle exceeds statutory inspection intervals or maintenance frequencies.


• Ensure all maintenance documentation is accurate, auditable, and completed within required timescales across all sites.


• Monitor and drive defect management processes, prioritising safety-critical defects and eliminating backlog growth.


• Conduct and oversee regular compliance audits across all workshop sites.


• Prepare the business for DVSA audits and maintain audit-ready standards at all times.


• Oversee workshop operations across all Countrystyle sites.


• Drive productivity, throughput and vehicle availability KPIs.


• Ensure effective communication between transport and workshop teams.


• Manage VOR risks, repeat defects and corrective actions.


• Maintain workshop systems and digital reporting tools.


• Identify and mitigate operational risks.


• Manage external repair providers, suppliers and specialist contractors.


• Directly line-manage Workshop Managers across all Countrystyle sites.


• Conduct regular performance reviews, one-to-ones, and development planning for direct reports.


• Manage conduct, capability, attendance, and training across the workshop function.


• Manage agency and contract labour requirements across the group.


• Champion a safety-first culture throughout all workshop teams.


• Own and manage workshop budgets across all Countrystyle sites.


• Control labour costs, overtime, and agency spend.


• Monitor and manage external repair expenditure and supplier cost performance.


• Control parts usage, stock levels, and procurement across all sites.


• Reduce avoidable repair spend through improved preventative maintenance strategies.


• Provide accurate financial forecasting and variance reporting to senior leadership.


• Ensure all workshop operations comply fully with current health and safety legislation.


• Maintain and enforce safe systems of work across all sites.


• Ensure LOLER, PUWER, and all workshop equipment inspections remain fully compliant.


• Maintain excellent housekeeping and environmental standards across all sites.


• Investigate accidents, incidents, and near misses; implement corrective actions.


• Ensure all risk assessments and method statements are current and fit for purpose.


• Liaise with HSE and other regulatory bodies as required.

About you

Essential

• Exceptional leadership and people management at senior level


• Multi-site operational management capability


• Strategic thinking with a hands-on operational approach


• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills


• Strong problem-solving and root cause analysis capability


• High attention to detail and process orientation


• Extensive experience managing multi-site HGV/LGV workshop operations


• Proven track record managing Workshop Managers and senior technicians


• Deep knowledge of fleet compliance, DVSA requirements, and O-Licence


• Demonstrated experience owning and managing workshop budgets


• Experience driving compliance, audits, and continuous improvement


• Experience managing health, safety, and environmental standards

Desirable

• Compliance and regulatory mindset


• Strong commercial and financial acumen


• Ability to influence at board/director level


• Data-driven decision making


• Change management and continuous improvement


• Experience operating at director or senior operations management level


• Experience managing large fleet engineering budgets (£1m+)


• Experience with digital fleet management and workshop systems


• Experience managing third-party supplier and contractor relationships


• Background in a waste, logistics, or transport-sector business

Benefits

• Car Allowance


• Life Insurance with access to GP24


• Commitment to wellbeing through Employee Assistance Programme


• Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme for eligible employees


• Cycle to work scheme


• Company Events


• GymFlex salary sacrifice

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Workshop Operations Manager, Multisite Operations Manager, Head of Workshops, HGV Workshop Operations Manager, LGV Workshop Operations Manager may also be considered for this role