Workshops General Manager

National Vehicle Distribution (“NVD”) is Ireland’s premier auto logistics operator, offering a fully integrated end to end supply chain service to OEM’s and National Distributors. With over 75% market share in Ireland, the company is expanding aggressively in the UK and further afield. The company employs in excess of 450 staff and has operating facilities in Baldonnell, New Ross, Rosslare, Ringaskiddy and manly locations (and growing) in the  UK.

 

Overview:

We are seeking a highly experienced, authentic and deeply analytic  individual to join our team as NVD Workshop General Manager overseeing a number  of modern and demanding production facilities. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV)  and Vehicle Preparation Centre (VPC)  workshop operations.

You will lead a team of professional  staff to deliver  the key performance standards required by our production schedules, clients, statutory and industry  standards.  Ultimately you will ensure that the areas under your remit are safe, deliver exceptionally high quality, efficient, innovative  and highly customer centric services.   The ideal candidate will have strong leadership skills with extensive experience succeeding in an ISO environment.  You will have a proven track record of managing a range of contractor and outsourced suppliers, and have experience in setting up and reviewing procurement structures.  Ultimately, you will be working as part of a senior leadership team that is focused on delivering our strategy whilst living and leading out with our values on a daily basis in line with our concept of #ONENVD

 

Pay and Benefits

• 100K with additional salary for relevant qualification and experience.
• Continuous career pathway development
• Pension Scheme
• Work/Life balance
• Free on-site parking
• Cycle to Work Scheme

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Leadership:

• Develop and implement strategic plans and objectives for production operations in alignment with company goals and objectives.
• Provide strong leadership and direction to workshop management, fostering a culture of teamwork, innovation , accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Monitor industry trends and developments to identify opportunities for growth and innovation.
• You will demonstrate excellent problem solving and root cause analysis techniques and skills
• You will be able to motivate, lead and direct a highly competent team of technical and professional colleagues
• You will have considerable experience of running talent management programmes and be able to demonstrate to us your ability to communicate, motivate, give and receive feedback.
• You will be able to demonstrate experience and success negotiating with unions, planning remuneration programmes to deliver the efficiency and effectiveness required by the organisation.
• Have the ability to design and implement new organisational structures that can adapt to shift working conditions, peak capacity needs etc.

 

Governance:

• Thorough understanding and knowledge of applicable legislation for Ireland, Europe and the UK.
• Demonstrate leadership, governance and technical competency standards and ensure these are accepted and implemented across your organisational structure.
• Ensure that the required SOPs’ and, Policies are in place to maintain and challenge our governance standards and put corrective action plans in place
• Create an “always audit ready” environment and test this state frequently

 

Operational Management:

• Oversee the leadership of all aspects of workshop operations, including scheduling, budget management and control, governance, resource allocation, and workflow management.
• Have experience of auditing practices in line with statutory requirements such as RSA, VOSA etc
• Have a demonstrable ability to skillfully guide teams through change and transformation.
• Have the drive  and determination to deliver the most appropriate levels of Operational Excellence in a strongly KPI driven performance environment.
• Ensure safe and effective operations that deliver an exceptional customer experience.
• Ensure that the leadership teams are delivering all maintenance and repair work to the required  efficiently, accurately, and in compliance with manufacturer specifications and industry standards.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to track workshop performance and identify areas for improvement.

 

Customer Service and Relations:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to ensure high levels of satisfaction, service levels and repeat business.
• Ensure customer inquiries and concerns are addressed in a timely and professional manner, with the right correct corrective action having been taken.
• Collaborate with sales and service teams to identify opportunities to upsell services and generate additional revenue.

 

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

• Through the leadership teams, Implement and maintain quality control processes to ensure that all maintenance and repair work meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, environmental standards, and other regulatory requirements applicable to workshop operations.
• Conduct regular audits and inspections of the workshop to identify areas for improvement and implement corrective actions as necessary.

Team Leadership and Development:

• Lead, mentor, and motivate workshop staff, providing guidance and support to help them achieve their full potential.
• Provide training and development opportunities to enhance the technical skills and knowledge of workshop staff.
• Conduct performance evaluations and provide regular feedback to staff to promote growth and development.

 

Key Requirements

• Degree or diploma in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in the HGV maintenance and repair sector, with at least 4 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Strong technical knowledge of HGV systems, components, and diagnostic procedures.
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire a diverse workforce.
• Proven track record of delivering high-quality maintenance and repair services in a fast-paced workshop environment.
• Knowledge of health and safety regulations and experience implementing safety programs.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks and manage competing priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in workshop management software and MS Office suite.