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 coordinating 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.
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.
Minimum Requirements:
- Grade 12
- 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.
Skills Required:
- Leadership and team management (supervision, coaching, performance management)
- Workshop planning and operational coordination (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)
Work Location: In person
