Service Manager

Daf Trucks Uk Ltd; Southampton; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mental health support programme

Flu jabs

Eye test subsidy

Employee discounts

30 days holiday + 1 day every 5 years

Pension scheme

Cycle to work

Salary sacrifice

Staff events

Job summary

Daf Trucks UK Ltd in Southampton is seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead a large team of technicians, workshop controllers and service advisors. You will drive performance, customer satisfaction and ensure the highest standards of service excellence across the operation.

The role focuses on operational efficiency, KPI delivery, budgeting and people development, with Monday–Friday hours and a clear emphasis on safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Previous management or supervisory experience within an automotive, commercial vehicle, or service environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills.
• Excellent communication and customer relationship abilities.
• Proven track record of delivering operational and financial performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate, and develop a large service team.
• Drive workshop performance, productivity, and labour recovery.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and maintain high customer satisfaction.
• Ensure compliance with company processes, health & safety standards, and manufacturer requirements.
• Manage service KPIs, financial performance, and departmental budgets.
• Support recruitment, training, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Job description

An Exciting Leadership Opportunity! We are delighted to announce a rare and exciting opportunity for an ambitious and driven leader to join our team as Service Manager at Southampton, Redbridge. This is a truly significant career opportunity, with the Service Manager position not having been available in Southampton for more than 25 years. It presents a unique chance for an exceptional individual to take on a high profile leadership role within one of our most established and successful service operations. As Service Manager, you will lead a large and experienced team comprising skilled Technicians, Workshop Controllers, Service Advisors, and support colleagues. You will play a pivotal role in driving operational performance, delivering an outstanding customer experience, developing our people, and maintaining the highest standards of service excellence. This is an opportunity to make a genuine and lasting impact, not only on the performance and success of the business, but also on
the careers and development of the people you lead. For the right individual, this is much more than a new role; it is an opportunity to shape the future of one of our largest service operations and leave a lasting mark on its continued success. Other duties may be required of the post holder in addition to those listed above and below, to ensure that the requirements of the business are met at all times. Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 5.00pm, i.e. 40 hours per week

Key Responsibilities:

As Service Manager, you will be responsible for the overall performance of the service department, ensuring the highest standards of customer service, workshop efficiency, productivity, profitability, and compliance. Working closely with the dealership leadership team, you will:

• Lead, motivate, and develop a large service team.
• Drive workshop performance, productivity, and labour recovery.
• Deliver exceptional customer service and maintain strong customer satisfaction performance.
• Ensure compliance with all company processes, health & safety standards, and manufacturer requirements.
• Manage service KPIs, financial performance, and departmental budgets.
• Support recruitment, training, succession planning, and employee engagement initiatives.
• Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence across the department.

We are seeking a highly motivated leader who can inspire teams and deliver results in a fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate will have: Previous management or supervisory experience within an automotive, commercial vehicle, or service environment. Strong leadership and people management skills. Excellent communication and customer relationship abilities. A proven track record of delivering operational and financial performance. A proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement. The ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high standards.

OTE £70k this includes an uncapped bonus.

Employee Assistance Program Mental Health First Aiders within the business Free Flu jabs if you are ineligible through the NHS Free eye test plus £70 contribution towards glasses for display screen users Employee Discounts On A Range Of Products And Services Including Holidays, Days Out And Supermarket Shops 30 days holiday including Bank Holidays rising by 1 day every 5 years capped at 33 Free Independent mortgage advice service Pension Scheme Salary Sacrifice(if eligible) Staff Events Free parking Cycle To Work Scheme Competitive Salaries Career development pathways and training Quarterly Star Awards

Automotive