Repairs Controller / Ex Trade

Gilmartins; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilmartins in the United Kingdom is seeking a Repairs Controller to coordinate a team of operatives delivering reactive repairs in occupied homes. This office-based role leverages trade knowledge to keep repairs moving and reduce repeat visits.

You’ll log and track jobs, communicate with residents, and support operatives in real time, ensuring accurate data on our repair management system and timely updates to clients.

Qualifications

• Trade background essential, with reactive domestic repairs experience.
• Office-based role transitioning from trades to coordination.
• Strong admin and organisational skills required.
• Excellent IT skills and ability to update repair systems.
• Clear, professional communication with operatives, residents and clients.
• Ability to manage multiple live jobs in a fast-paced environment.
• Calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Take calls from residents reporting repairs, create repairs in the system and schedule jobs.
• Run and manage daily reactive repair schedules for a team of operatives.
• Act as main point of contact for operatives throughout the day.
• Liaise with residents and clients by phone, email and live chat.
• Provide technical guidance to operatives to help complete jobs right first time.
• React quickly to access issues, variations and unforeseen problems.
• Arrange parts and materials, including click & collect where required.
• Accurately log, update, and track reactive repair jobs on the system.
• Ensure all notes, updates, outcomes and follow-on actions are recorded.
• Monitor job progress and escalate issues when required.

Skills

Trade background

Admin & org skills

IT skills

Communication skills

Multitasking

Calm under pressure

Tools

Repair management system

Job description

Are you a tradesperson working in reactive domestic repairs who’s ready to come off the tools — but still use your trade knowledge every day?

We’re looking for a Repairs Controller to coordinate and support a team of operatives delivering reactive repairs in occupied homes.

This is a fully office-based role where your understanding of day-to-day repairs, access issues, and right-first-time working is just as important as strong admin and IT skills.

You’ll be the main point of contact for a team of trade operatives (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, plasterers), helping jobs stay on track, resolving issues as they arise, and reducing repeat visits.

The Role

The purpose of the role is to keep reactive repairs moving efficiently from first visit through to completion. You’ll support operatives in real time, deal with issues as they occur, keep systems accurate and up to date, and ensure residents and clients are kept informed.

Key Responsibilities

• Taking calls from residents who are reporting repairs, creating the repair on the system and scheduling the jobs
• Running and managing daily reactive repair schedules for a team of operatives
• Acting as the main point of contact for operatives throughout the day
• Liaising with residents and clients (local authorities and housing associations) by phone, email, and live chat
• Providing technical guidance to operatives to help complete jobs right first time
• Reacting quickly to access issues, variations, and unforeseen problems
• Arranging parts and materials, including click & collect where required
• Accurately logging, updating, and tracking reactive repair jobs on the job management system
• Ensuring all job notes, updates, outcomes, and follow-on actions are properly recorded
• Monitoring job progress and escalating issues where required

Essential Skills & Experience

• Trade background essential, with experience in reactive domestic repairs
• A tradesperson looking to move into a permanent, office-based role
• Strong administration and organisational skills
• Excellent IT skills – confident updating repair systems, emails, and working across multiple screens
• Clear and professional communication skills with operatives, residents, and clients
• Ability to manage multiple live jobs in a fast-paced environment
• Calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure

Why This Role?

• A genuine opportunity to come off the tools without losing your trade knowledge
• Office-based role using real-world repairs experience
• Direct impact on repair performance, resident satisfaction, and right-first-time outcomes
• Clear progression into senior scheduling, operations, or management roles

Our hours of work are 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and this role requires working until 6pm and 1 Saturday or Sunday each month. Extra hours are paid at standard rate in addition to salary