Operations Manager

Glen Callum Associates Ltd; Oldbury; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus

Professional coaching

Employee assistance programme

Christmas bonus

Team socials

Job summary

Glen Callum Associates Ltd has partnered with a family-run automotive workshop to recruit an Operations Manager. This site-based role in the West Midlands oversees capacity planning, scheduling, and growth initiatives while ensuring performance and compliance across the operation.

You will lead senior teams, drive process improvements, manage budgets, and mentor front-of-house and technician staff. A structured leadership environment with coaching, safety governance, and a clear path for career

Qualifications

• Experience leading an operational workshop or service centre.
• Background in vehicle maintenance, fleet services or commercial vehicle operations.
• Proven ability to manage budgets, forecasts and business case investment.
• Strong Excel skills and operational reporting proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Lead capacity and growth planning, forecasting staffing and resources.
• Drive performance across vehicle availability, turnaround times and first-time fix rates.
• Own and improve operational systems, processes and compliance.
• Provide co-leadership to front-of-house and technician teams.

Skills

Operational leadership

Vehicle maintenance experience

Budgeting & forecasting

Excel & reporting

Team leadership

Change management

Education

NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Time-served Technician

Tools

Fleet management systems

Job description

Operations Manager - Automotive Workshop

Site-based in West Bromwich, West Midlands

Candidates could be based in or around West Bromwich, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley, Stourbridge, Halesowen, Kingswinford, Sutton Coldfield, Solihull, Cannock, Lichfield, Bromsgrove or the wider Black Country and West Midlands region.

Salary - £50,000 - £65,000 + Bonus + Professional Coaching + Employee Assistance Programme + Christmas Bonus + Team socials including monthly BBQ and weekly breakfast events + Monday to Friday working pattern

Running a workshop isn't just about keeping vehicles moving. It's about balancing people, process, performance and planning to deliver on every promise you make to customers.

We're working with a family-run business with a simple philosophy: look after your people and they'll look after your customers. It's a culture that’s won awards, helped them grow, and created an environment where people genuinely want to stay and build their careers.

As they continue to expand their operation, invest in new capabilities and prepare for the future of vehicle maintenance, we're looking for an Operations Manager who wants more than just another management role. This is an opportunity to help shape the direction of the business for years to come.

The Role

You’ll be a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, working alongside the Commercial Manager, Workshop Controller and Finance Manager to ensure the business has the people, systems, capacity and investment needed to deliver today while preparing for tomorrow.

This is a strategic leadership position, but it's also a hands-on role. You’ll spend time planning for the future, improving processes and driving performance, while remaining close enough to the operation to support the team whenever required.

Four areas you’ll own

• Capacity & Growth
• Forecast staffing, shift patterns and resource requirements
• Plan future workshop capacity, tooling and equipment needs
• Support customer onboarding and operational readiness for new contracts
• Help ensure the business stays ahead of demand, not behind it

Performance & Delivery

• Vehicle availability
• Turnaround times
• First-time fix rates
• PMI compliance
• Labour productivity and efficiency
• Customer service performance

Process, Systems & Compliance

• Own and improve operational systems and procedures
• Drive continuous improvement across the customer journey, from booking through to invoice
• Ensure the operation remains safe, compliant and audit-ready
• Oversee Health & Safety, risk management and operational governance

People & Leadership

• Provide co-leadership to both front-of-house and technician teams
• Support recruitment, training and succession planning
• Coach managers and help build a high-performing culture
• Provide leadership cover for key operational functions when required

About You

• You’ll be an experienced operational leader who understands both the workshop floor and the commercial realities of running a successful vehicle maintenance operation.
• Experience within vehicle maintenance, fleet services or commercial vehicle operations
• Proven background in leading teams and managing performance
• A technical background, such as a time-served Technician, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent
• Experience owning budgets, building forecasts and developing business cases for investment
• Strong understanding of operational compliance, workshop processes and Health & Safety
• Confidence using Excel, operational reporting tools and fleet management systems
• The ability to influence people, drive change and build alignment across teams
• A proactive, solutions-focused mindset

What You’ll Get

• A genuine seat at the leadership table
• Ongoing investment through our in-house training academy
• The opportunity to shape operational strategy and future growth
• Most importantly, you’ll join a business that genuinely values its people. We believe going the extra mile works both ways. We invest in our team, support personal growth, and create an environment where good people can build long-term careers.

Glen Callum Associates is committed to creating diverse and inclusive workplaces. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or background. We believe that a variety of perspectives makes a team stronger and a workplace better. If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know