Workshop Chargehand

Kemp Recruitment; North Tawton; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holidays 25 days + birthday

Birthday, Christmas Eve, New Year’s E!

Buy/sell annual leave

Pension up to 10%

Profit-related pay

Career development

Employee discounts

Volunteer day

Life assurance

Job summary

Kemp Recruitment Limited is seeking an experienced Workshop Chargehand in Barnstaple to lead a busy municipal fleet workshop. You will supervise technicians, stay hands-on with servicing and repairs across HGVs and specialist vehicles, and ensure high safety and quality standards.

The role offers a Monday–Friday, 40-hour week with a salary of £50,000 per annum and a comprehensive benefits package. You will mentor junior staff, improve workshop procedures and help maximise fleet availability.

Qualifications

• Experience as an HGV technician with hands-on maintenance across a varied fleet.
• Experience mentoring or supervising technicians.
• Strong diagnostic and fault-finding skills across mechanical, electrical, braking, suspension and hydraulic systems.
• Good organisation and communication to keep workshop operations running.
• Knowledge of vehicle safety, roadworthiness and preventative maintenance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support a team of technicians, allocating daily jobs.
• Service, maintain, inspect and repair a varied municipal fleet including HGVs.
• Assist with complex fault diagnosis and provide guidance.
• Monitor quality of work to meet safety and roadworthiness standards.
• Prepare vehicles for MOT testing and inspections.
• Promote safe working practices and proper use of tools.
• Track progress and resolve issues to minimise downtime.
• Support Workshop Manager with technician development and process improvements.

Skills

Team leadership

Hands-on maintenance

Diagnostic skills

Fault finding

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Health & safety knowledge

Education

NVQ Level 3 in automotive engineering

Job description

Location: Barnstaple
Hours: Monday to Friday (40 hours per week)
Shift: Days
Salary: £50,000 per annum

About your new Workshop Chargehand role

Are you an experienced HGV Technician ready to take the next step into a leadership role? We’re looking for a skilled, hands‑on Workshop Chargehand to support the smooth running of a busy municipal fleet workshop in Barnstaple.
This is an excellent opportunity for a technically strong technician who enjoys leading by example, supporting colleagues and ensuring maintenance and repair work is completed safely, efficiently and to a high standard. You’ll play a key role in coordinating workshop activities, providing technical guidance and helping maximise fleet availability.

Benefits on offer for the Workshop Chargehand

• Full-time, permanent position working Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.
• Generous holiday allowance of 25 days, plus additional gifted days for your birthday, Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
• Option to buy or sell up to one week of annual leave.
• Competitive pension contribution of up to 10%.
• Profit-related pay and share schemes.
• Career development opportunities, employee benefits and lifestyle discounts.
• Exclusive discounts on entertainment, travel, shopping, motoring and more.
• One paid volunteering day per year to support causes you care about.
• Life assurance and personal accident cover.

Key responsibilities of the Workshop Chargehand

• Lead and support a team of technicians, allocating daily jobs and ensuring workloads are completed efficiently and to schedule.
• Remain hands‑on with the servicing, maintenance, inspection and repair of a varied municipal fleet, including HGVs, light commercial vehicles and specialist vehicles.
• Assist with complex fault diagnosis and provide practical technical guidance to technicians to resolve mechanical, electrical and hydraulic issues.
• Monitor the quality of completed work, ensuring repairs meet required safety, manufacturer and roadworthiness standards.
• Carry out quality checks and ensure vehicles are prepared for MOT testing and statutory inspections.
• Promote safe working practices throughout the workshop, ensuring compliance with health and safety procedures and the correct use of tools and equipment.
• Monitor job progress, identify delays and help resolve technical or operational issues to minimise vehicle downtime.
• Support the Workshop Manager with technician development, apprentice training and the continuous improvement of workshop procedures.

What we’re looking for in a Workshop Chargehand

• Previous experience as an HGV Technician, with the ability to carry out hands‑on maintenance and repairs across a varied vehicle fleet.
• Experience supporting, mentoring or supervising technicians within a busy workshop environment.
• Strong diagnostic and fault‑finding skills across mechanical, electrical, braking, suspension and hydraulic systems.
• Good organisational and communication skills, with the ability to prioritise jobs and keep workshop operations running smoothly.
• A strong understanding of vehicle safety, roadworthiness, preventative maintenance and health and safety requirements.
• A proactive approach to problem‑solving, with the confidence to support colleagues and maintain high standards of workmanship.
• Relevant automotive engineering qualifications, such as an apprenticeship, NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• An HGV Category C driving licence would be advantageous.

If you’re an experienced HGV Technician looking to take the next step in your career, this Workshop Chargehand opportunity offers the chance to combine hands‑on technical work with team leadership, while enjoying a competitive salary and excellent benefits.
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