Service Manager

Vibrant Recruits Ltd; Orpington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Private medical

Laptop

Pension 6% contrib

Hybrid working

Job summary

Vibrant Recruits Ltd is seeking a Service Manager to lead the Southern service operation across the UK, taking ownership of profitability and service delivery. You will manage a team of engineers, supervisors and office staff, ensuring efficient operations while delivering exceptional service to customers.

The role requires progression from engineering into leadership, a strong refrigeration background, and proven ability to drive commercial performance.

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Service Manager, Service Centre Manager or Branch Manager.
• Strong refrigeration industry background.
• Experience progressing from an engineering role into management.
• Experience managing engineers and developing high-performing teams.
• Commercial awareness, including quoting and cost management.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Southern service operation and manage the regional P&L.
• Own the commercial performance of the region and drive profitability.
• Coach and develop Engineers, Supervisors and an Administrator.
• Review and prepare quotations for service work with Supervisors.
• Maximise engineer productivity and build strong customer relationships.
• Monitor budgets, costs and profitability; drive operational improvements and growth.
• Ensure outstanding customer satisfaction and service delivery; support recruitment and succession planning.

Skills

Service management

Engineering to management

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Driving licence

Job description

Competitive salary + Bonus + Company Car + Private Medical + Hybrid Working

Ready to step into a Service Manager role with real commercial ownership?

If you're an experienced Service Manager, Service Centre Manager or Branch Manager who's progressed from the tools into leadership, this is an opportunity to take ownership of an established Southern operation with genuine influence over its success.

This isn't a role where you'll be pulled back onto the tools. As Service Manager, you'll lead an experienced team, manage the regional P&L (training and support can be provided if required), drive profitability, and play a key role in shaping the future of the business.

With a fantastic base salary and a lucrative bonus, hybrid flexibility, and long-term career progression, this is a Service Manager opportunity designed for someone ready to make a real impact.

Your role as Service Manager

As the Service Manager, you'll take responsibility for the Southern service operation, covering a service region stretching across the South of the UK.

You'll lead a well-established team of Service Engineers, Supervisors and office staff, ensuring the operation runs efficiently while delivering exceptional service to customers.

Most importantly, you'll own the commercial performance of the region. The business can teach products, but they need a Service Manager who already understands how to manage profitability, costs and performance.

What you'll be doing as Service Manager

• Managing the day-to-day performance of the Southern service operation.
• Taking ownership of the regional P&L.
• Leading, coaching and developing Engineers, Supervisors and an Administrator.
• Reviewing and preparing quotations for service work alongside Supervisors.
• Working closely with Supervisors to maximise engineer productivity.
• Building strong relationships with customers across the region.
• Monitoring budgets, costs and profitability.
• Driving operational improvements and business growth.
• Ensuring outstanding customer satisfaction and service delivery.
• Supporting recruitment, succession planning and team development.

This is a leadership role where your communication skills and commercial mindset will be just as important as your technical credibility.

What we're looking for in a Service Manager

We're looking for someone who's built their career within refrigeration and has progressed into leadership.

You do not need ammonia refrigeration experience. What matters is that you've worked as an engineer, understand service operations, and have the commercial experience to manage a profitable business unit.

• Previous experience as a Service Manager, Service Centre Manager or Branch Manager.
• A strong background in the refrigeration industry
• Experience progressing from an engineering role into management.
• Experience managing engineers and developing high-performing teams.
• Commercial awareness, including quoting and cost management.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Full UK driving licence.

What's on offer for the Service Manager

• Competitive salary + lucrative bonus
• Company car
• Private medical insurance
• Laptop
• Pension with 6% employer contribution
• Hybrid working with flexibility to work from home occasionally
• Long-term career progression within a growing business
• The opportunity to lead an established South East operation with real autonomy

Why this Service Manager opportunity stands out

This Service Manager role offers far more than day-to-day operations. You'll have genuine ownership of the region, responsibility for commercial performance, and the chance to shape a successful service business while leading an experienced team.

If you're looking for a Service Manager or Service Centre Manager opportunity where your leadership, commercial skills and engineering background will be recognised and rewarded, Vibrant Recruits would love to hear from you.