Workshop Manager

Wild Dreams Hospitality; Mpumalanga; On-site; ZAR 480,000 - 840,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Accommodation provided

Job summary

Wild Dreams Hospitality in Mpumalanga seeks a proactive Workshop and Fleet Manager to lead vehicle, plant and generator operations for a luxury safari operator.

You will oversee inspections, maintenance, stock control, budgeting and compliance, mentor workshop staff, and uphold safety, sustainability and guest-experience standards. This is a live-in role requiring hands-on leadership in a remote safari setting.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years as a Manager in a similar-sized operation.
• Experienced/qualified in vehicle mechanics.
• Energetic, proactive leader able to handle pressure.
• Good interpersonal skills and team focus.
• Attention to detail and initiative to meet deadlines.
• Willingness and ability to teach and inspire others.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all vehicle, plant, and generator inspections, servicing, maintenance, and repairs.
• Ensure maximum fleet availability by minimising downtime and workshop turnaround.
• Maintain high workmanship through QC, testing, and regular vehicle assessments.
• Conduct test drives and monitor presentation and roadworthiness.
• Coordinate major repairs, outsourced work, and maintenance costs with management.
• Monitor fleet condition and advise on replacement and maintenance planning.
• Manage workshop stock control, monthly stock takes, parts allocation, and security.
• Procure parts and workshop supplies while ensuring cost control and timely payments.
• Maintain vehicle records, service histories, licenses, logbooks, invoices, and docs.
• Administer workshop finances: petty cash, month-end reconciliations, budgets.
• Ensure compliance with sustainability initiatives, environmental standards, waste management.
• Recruit, induct, train, and performance-manage workshop staff.
• Lead day-to-day workshop team management, leave, communication, discipline.
• Maintain health, safety and emergency preparedness standards.
• Drive continuous improvement in workshop efficiency, fleet performance, cost control.

Skills

Management experience

Vehicle mechanics

Team leadership

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Initiative

Knowledge sharing

Job description

This luxury safari operator is renowned for delivering exceptional guest experiences while maintaining a strong commitment to conservation, sustainability, and community upliftment. They are seeking a proactive, hands-on leader with strong technical and operational expertise, someone who can effectively manage fleet and workshop operations, develop and motivate teams, and uphold the high standards of excellence that underpin a world-class safari experience.

Candidate Responsibilities:

• Oversee all vehicle, plant, and generator inspections, servicing, maintenance, and repairs.
• Ensure maximum fleet availability by minimizing vehicle downtime and workshop turnaround times.
• Maintain high workmanship standards through quality control, testing, and regular vehicle assessments.
• Conduct test drives and monitor the presentation and roadworthiness of all vehicles.
• Coordinate major repairs, outsourced work, and maintenance costs with management and relevant stakeholders.
• Monitor fleet condition and provide recommendations on equipment replacement and maintenance planning.
• Manage workshop stock control, monthly stock takes, spare parts allocation, and inventory security.
• Procure vehicle parts and workshop supplies while ensuring cost control and timely supplier payments.
• Maintain accurate vehicle records, service histories, licenses, logbooks, invoices, and workshop documentation.
• Administer workshop finances, including petty cash, recharges, month-end reconciliations, and budget monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with sustainability initiatives, environmental standards, waste management, and reporting requirements.
• Recruit, induct, train, develop, and performance-manage workshop staff in line with company policies.
• Lead the day-to-day management of the workshop team, including leave administration, communication, and disciplinary processes.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and emergency preparedness standards, ensuring safe workshop operations.
• Drive continuous improvement in workshop efficiency, fleet performance, cost management, and operational effectiveness.

Core Criteria:

• Must have at least 3-5 years experience as a Manager in a similar sized operation.
• Must be experienced/qualified in all vehicle mechanics
• Able to handle pressure, and still operate effectively
• Energetic, proactive person
• Good interpersonal skills – able to function as part of a team
• Attention to detail and initiative
• Diligence and self-motivation to meet deadlines and keep on top of your job
• Willingness/ability to share information and teach and inspire others

This is a live-in position