Workshop Manager – Heavy Duty Vehicle Trade Tested Diesel Mechanic - KZN

The Workshop Manager is responsible for managing the full operation of the workshop, ensuring efficient service delivery, high-quality workmanship, and strong team performance. The role manages staff productivity, development, and compliance while co-ordinating daily workshop activities such as work-in-progress planning, resource allocation, and parts availability. The role also involves strict administrative control, accurate reporting, and adherence to company procedures, alongside managing budgets, assets, and warranty processes.

Minimum requirements:

•    Grade 12

•    Heavy Duty Vehicle Diesel Mechanic Trade Certification

•    7+ years’ previous experience within a managerial role

•    Technical expertise pertaining to the knowledge of automotive systems, diagnostics and OEM service standards.

•    Operational expertise pertaining to WIP management, capacity planning and workshop operations.

• Leadership and team management skills (supervision, coaching, performance management)

•    Workshop planning and operational co-ordination (WIP, capacity planning)

•    Strong communication and interpersonal skills (staff and customer engagement)

•    Problem-solving and decision-making (fault diagnosis, complaint resolution)

•    Administrative and reporting skills (job cards, systems, data accuracy)

•    Financial and cost control skills (budget management, profitability tracking)

Staff Management:

•   Manage staff time and attendance, productivity and efficiency.

•   Supervise and coach staff to provide a customer focused environment.

•   Ensure that staff adheres to dress code and PPE requirements.

•   Identify training and staff development needs.

•   Conduct staff performance management reviews/appraisals as required.

•   Conduct frequent staff meetings and feedback sessions.

Workshop Operations, Capacity Planning and Work in Progress (WIP)

•   Conduct daily WIP planning.

•   Monitor and manage workshop productivity and efficiency.

•   Interact daily with the Service Advisors and Parts department to ensure parts availability for scheduled services.

•   Ensure all vehicles are serviced in line with OE service schedules and OE requirements & ensure all vehicles are tested and are working properly after work is completed.

•   Ensure that errors are rectified to minimise recurrence of complaints.

•   Ensure that workshop operations run smooth and that workshop resources are optimally utilised.

•   Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of industry developments.

Customer Service Levels:

•   Ensure internal and external customers are always kept up to date with their vehicle progress.

•   Customer complaints need to be resolved timeously.

Workshop Administration:

•    Ensure 100% accurate Embrace data input e.g. hour readings, job start and end dates, correct fault codes and correct job types.

•    Ensure all SOP’s are adhered to.

•    Update workshop manuals when necessary.

•    Ensure accurate costing and closing of job cards.

•    Ensure that all required documents are attached to the job cards,

manually as well as electronically.

•    Ensure that job cards are sent to Isando filing room via monthly handover schedule.

•    Ensure quotations from preferred suppliers for outsource and outwork jobs are requested, received and processed on time.

•    Sign off job cards in line with the requirements.

•    Ensure that all recovery billing is noted and invoiced to external customers.

Reports:

•    Pull open job card report daily and investigate and ensure that only WIP job cards are open.

•    Report to management on any WIP.

•    Pull open purchase order report daily and investigate and ensure that only WIP orders are open.

•    Submit all required reports to management at the agreed times.

Asset Management:

•    Manage and maintain all company assets.

•    Report any losses or damage to company assets to management.

•    Asset disposal must be requested in line with the SOP and authority schedules.

Recovery and Warranty Claims:

•    Ensure that correct recoveries and warranty processes are followed.

Financials/Budget:

•    Manage the workshops in a cost-effective manner and in line with workshop budgets.

•    Report as requested on profit and loss statement.

Quality Standards

•    Ensure the workshop has the correct tools and equipment for the job on hand.

•    Ensure tools are in good working condition and are suitable for that specific job.

•    Conduct frequent spot checks to ensure the required service standards are met.

General:

•    Maintain professional conduct.

•    Assist in relevant operations/operational functions as required.

•    Ensure dress code is in accordance with company Standard Operating Procedures.

•    Maintain housekeeping standards daily.

•    Ensure standards of Health and Safety are maintained.

•    Maintain correct technical information and make sure this is available to the technical team.

•    Ensure product and technical training is attended as per requirements.

Apprentice Program

•    Manage the apprentice programme for your workshop.

Salary offer: R45K to R50K