Automotive Workshop Lead: Operations, Service & Team Growth

JVR Software; Pinetown; On-site; ZAR 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Staff Solutions in Kwazulu-Natal is seeking a seasoned Workshop Manager to lead daily workshop operations, manage staff, and drive service quality within an automotive context.

You will oversee planning, WIP control, parts availability, and warranty procedures while ensuring compliance with dealer standards and safety practices. A Diesel Mechanic Certificate and Code 14 licence, plus 5 years in a similar role, are required.

Qualifications

• Matric is required and a Diesel Mechanic Certificate is advantageous.
• Code 14 driver's licence is required.
• Minimum of 5 years in a similar workshop leadership role.

Responsibilities

• Manage and plan the daily operations of the workshop, identifying deviations and implementing corrective actions.
• Lead, motivate, and manage workshop staff, technicians, and service sales personnel.
• Establish routines for daily planning and follow-up meetings on WIP and parts availability.
• Conduct regular meetings with workshop staff and technicians.
• Minimise work-in-progress (WIP) to below 50 open job cards and maximise hours sold.
• Develop, implement, and monitor standards and routines, maintaining high levels of cleanliness and organisation in the workshop.
• Monitor the condition of workshop tools and equipment, arranging for purchase, repair, and calibration as required.
• Monitor deviations, initiate corrective actions, and elevate issues when necessary.
• Promote and ensure compliance with Dealer Operating Standards to maintain consistent quality across all business areas.
• Manage workshop facilities and HSE in collaboration with the Safety Officer, safety staff, and safety committee.
• Create and manage working time schedules and shift planning.
• Coordinate spare parts activities with the Parts Manager to ensure parts availability.
• Ensure service exchange and warranty procedures are adhered to.
• Assist workshop foreman, personnel, and customers with technical issues.
• Oversee internal, warranty, onsite workshop activities, and staff support.
• Develop and manage customer relationships, ensuring current and future customer needs are met.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with customer representatives.
• Monitor and manage customer complaints, handling major or complex issues.
• Participate in meetings with key customers when required.
• Increase workshop service solution sales by developing, maintaining, and communicating the service portfolio aligned to customer needs.
• Market and communicate service solutions to existing and potential customers.
• Coordinate and follow up on service salesman activities where required by the reporting line.
• Monitor workshop pricing and discounts to ensure alignment with approved levels.
• Attend to daily workshop reporting, including WIP, efficiency, productivity, debtors, and creditors.
• Follow up on workshop budgets, operational targets, and financial results, implementing corrective measures to achieve targets.
• Manage and analyse workshop running costs and expenditure budgets.
• Set, monitor, maintain, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Manage and maintain applicable licenses required for workshop operations and monitor regulatory developments.
• Analyse current standards to identify improvement opportunities.
• Proactively initiate and implement continuous improvement activities to achieve workshop objectives.
• Cooperate with internal departments and distributors to develop and align service strategies, portfolios, and solutions.
• Foster a team-based culture with open communication to achieve shared business objectives.

Skills

Workshop leadership

Planning & scheduling

Team motivation

Customer relation skills

Education

Matric

Diesel Mechanic Certificate

Code 14 driver’s licence

Job description

Staff Solutions in Kwazulu-Natal is seeking a seasoned Workshop Manager to lead daily workshop operations, manage staff, and drive service quality within an automotive context.

You will oversee planning, WIP control, parts availability, and warranty procedures while ensuring compliance with dealer standards and safety practices. A Diesel Mechanic Certificate and Code 14 licence, plus 5 years in a similar role, are required.