Preparation Centre Manager

Lithia; Mansfield; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Family leave policies

Salary sacrifice car scheme

Volunteer day off

Long service awards

Job summary

Evans Halshaw is looking for an experienced Preparation Centre Manager to lead our Mansfield Vehicle Preparation Centre, focused on delivering vehicles safely, efficiently and to Evans Halshaw Approved standards.

You will plan capacity, control preparation costs, optimise productivity and ensure vehicles move through every stage of the preparation process, working closely with SMART Repair and Valeting teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience leading high-volume automotive workshop/vehicle preparation centre.
• Experience managing large operational teams and delivering results.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience controlling budgets, labour costs and performance.
• Excellent planning, organization and resource management skills.
• Solid understanding of workshop productivity, labour utilization and vehicle flow.
• Experience using operational data and KPIs to improve performance.
• Collaborative leadership style with ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Mansfield Vehicle Preparation Centre.
• Deliver the monthly preparation plan, ensuring vehicles are prepared safely, efficiently and on time.
• Collaborate with SMART Repair and Valeting teams to optimise vehicle flow and performance.
• Plan labour and workshop capacity to meet volumes while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Control preparation costs through labour utilisation, resource planning and parts management.
• Monitor vehicle flow, work in progress and lead times; remove bottlenecks.
• Ensure every vehicle meets Evans Halshaw Approved standards and safety requirements.
• Analyse operational performance using KPIs to drive continuous improvement.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement and operational excellence.
• Maintain a safe working environment in line with Health & Safety policies.

Skills

High-volume operations

Leadership of large teams

Budget & cost control

Planning & resource management

Data-driven improvement (KPIs)

Stakeholder management

Job description

Preparation Centre Manager

Evans Halshaw – Peugeot / Citroen / Vauxhall - Mansfield

Competitive salary and OTE with company car, pension, life assurance, private healthcare, 33 days holiday (including bank holidays), exclusive company discounts on used vehicle purchases, leasing deals and aftersales services.

Evans Halshaw is looking for an experienced Preparation Centre Manager to lead our high-volume Vehicle Preparation Centre at Mansfield.

It is a fast-paced operation focused on delivering vehicles safely, efficiently and to Evans Halshaw Approved standards, ensuring every vehicle is retail ready, on time and prepared at the planned cost.

Leading a large multi-disciplinary operation, you will be working hand in hand with our SMART Repair and Valeting teams, you will be responsible for the overall operational performance of the centre. Your focus will be on planning capacity, controlling preparation costs, optimising productivity and ensuring vehicles move efficiently through every stage of the preparation process.

This is an outstanding opportunity for a proven operational leader who enjoys developing people, improving processes and delivering measurable business performance within a high-volume automotive environment.

Your journey as Preparation Centre Manager:

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the Mansfield Vehicle Preparation Centre.
• Deliver the monthly preparation plan, ensuring our vehicles are prepared safely, efficiently and on time.
• Work collaboratively with SMART Repair and Valeting teams to optimise vehicle flow and maximise operational performance.
• Plan labour and workshop capacity to achieve agreed preparation volumes while maintaining quality and efficiency.
• Control preparation costs through effective labour utilisation, resource planning, parts management and operational discipline.
• Monitor vehicle flow, work in progress and preparation lead times, taking proactive action to remove bottlenecks.
• Ensure every vehicle is prepared to Evans Halshaw Approved standards, meeting all quality, safety and compliance requirements before release for sale.
• Analyse operational performance using key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement.
• Build a culture of accountability, engagement and operational excellence through effective leadership, coaching and performance management.
• Maintain a safe working environment, ensuring Health & Safety legislation and company policies are consistently followed.

Are You Ready to Embrace the Challenge? We are looking for someone who has:

• Proven experience leading a high-volume automotive workshop, vehicle preparation centre or operational aftersales environment.
• Experience managing large operational teams and delivering results through effective leadership.
• Strong commercial awareness with experience controlling budgets, labour costs and operational performance.
• Excellent planning, organization and resource management skills.
• Strong understanding of workshop productivity, efficiency, labour utilisation and vehicle flow.
• Experience using operational data and KPIs to improve performance and deliver continuous improvement.
• A collaborative leadership style with the ability to motivate, coach and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Success in this role will be measured by your ability to:

• Deliver planned vehicle preparation volumes.
• Maximise vehicle availability through efficient operational planning.
• Achieve preparation lead time and work in progress targets.
• Control preparation cost per vehicle.
• Maximise technician productivity, efficiency and labour utilisation.
• Deliver every vehicle to Evans Halshaw Approved quality standards.
• Build an engaged, accountable and high-performing team.
• Create a safe, efficient and continuously improving operation.

What we can offer you:

• Enjoy 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays), giving you more time to relax, recharge, and do what you love
• Celebrate your special day with an extra day off on your birthday
• Our industry-leading Family Leave Policies ensure you’re supported when it matters most
• Access a new car through our Salary Sacrifice scheme and enjoy a smarter way to drive
• Take a paid day to volunteer and give back to a cause close to your heart
• We believe in recognising dedication and loyalty, that’s why we celebrate long service milestone anniversaries
• Unlock your potential with tailored training and endless career growth opportunities
• Commute for less with our cycle to work scheme
• Access high street discounts to make the everyday a little more rewarding
• Know someone perfect for Lithia UK? Earn rewards through our internal referral scheme

At Lithia UK, our growth is powered by our people:

As one of the largest automotive retailers globally, we’re passionate about transforming the future of personal transportation and setting new standards for exceptional customer experiences. Our values—Earn Customers for Life, Improve Constantly, Take Personal Ownership, and Have Fun!—fuel everything we do. Join us, and you’ll be part of a team that embraces innovation, champions personal growth, and celebrates success together. If you’re ready to make an impact in an environment that empowers you to drive change, we’d love to have you with us on this journey.

Lithia UK are an equal opportunities employer, and we are proud members of Automotive 30% Club, Diversity in Retail and Inclusive Companies. We welcome all applications regardless of age, race, religion, disability, gender or sexual identity, marital status, socio-economic background or Veteran status. We will also consider qualified applicants with prior criminal convictions, in accordance with the law.

We want your recruitment journey to be unique to you and as accessible as possible. If you need any additional support with your application or have specific requirements at any stage, please let us know via email: [e-mail]. Our team will be happy to support you throughout every stage of the process.