Workshop Manager

Job Summary The Head of Maintenance is responsible for the overall leadership, structure, governance, and performance of the company’s fleet maintenance and workshop operations. The role holder will design and institutionalize maintenance systems, standards, and controls that ensure high fleet reliability, safety, cost discipline, and operational continuity. This is a senior functional leadership role, suited to a candidate with deep heavy-vehicle maintenance experience and a proven ability to build disciplined, process-driven workshop environments. The mandate is to professionalize and strengthen the entire maintenance function, not merely manage day-to-day repairs. Responsibilities; Lead the entire maintenance function across fleet, workshops, and support infrastructure. Define maintenance philosophy, policies, and operating standards Align maintenance strategy with operational and commercial priorities Act as the single point of accountability for fleet technical performance Design and implement organized, professional workshop layouts and workflows Establish clear zoning, work sequencing, and resource planning Introduce disciplined work practices and operational controls Create an environment focused on safety, efficiency, and accountability Develop and institutionalize detailed SOPs, inspection standards, and checklists Establish documentation and record-keeping systems Ensure traceability of maintenance history for every asset Implement clear reporting and review mechanisms Embed a culture of compliance and procedural discipline Establish structured preventive and periodic maintenance programs Plan workshop capacity and scheduling in alignment with operations Improve asset lifecycle management, refurbishment planning, and replacement strategy Drive a proactive maintenance culture rather than reactive repairs Lead and develop workshop managers, supervisors, and technical teams Define roles, responsibilities, and performance expectations Build technical capability, training standards, and succession depth Create ownership and accountability across the department Provide technical leadership across heavy commercial vehicles and trailers Guide diagnostics, failure analysis, and reliability improvement. Standardize repair practices and quality of workmanship Ensure consistent engineering standards across all locations Manage maintenance budgets and cost efficiency Standardize parts, consumables, and approved vendors in collaboration with the procurement team. Strengthen inventory control and asset protection Prevent waste or misuse of resources Drive value-focused procurement and vendor performance. Ensure full roadworthiness and regulatory compliance of fleet Embed strong safety practices within workshops Lead investigations into mechanical incidents and implement corrective actions Maintain audit-ready documentation and records Implement structured MIS and maintenance management tools Use data to monitor performance, trends, and improvement opportunities Provide regular management reporting and actionable insight Lead continuous improvement initiatives, innovation, and adoption of best practices in fleet maintenance Establish and manage satellite maintenance detachments and mobile repair capability along key corridors and remote routes Manage rapid response systems for breakdown attendance, field repairs, and vehicle recovery Improve recovery time, fleet uptime, and operational continuity for long-haul movements Requirements Degree/Diploma in Mechanical, Automotive, or related Engineering discipline Master’s Degree or professional certification is an added advantage Minimum 12 years of progressive experience in fleet maintenance, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role. Extensive experience in heavy commercial vehicle or trailer fleet maintenance within transport/logistics environments Exposed to tech-driven operations, with an aptitude to introduce process automation, and possible digital controls to improve resource efficiency Demonstrated experience leading large workshops or multi-site maintenance functions Proven track record of building structured maintenance systems and improving reliability Strong operational and financial control mindset Experience with Chinese heavy trucks and trailers is advantageous Comfortable operating in field-driven environments Quick to adapt