Service and Testing Manager

Service & Testing Manager

Location: Aberdeen

Employment Type: Permanent, Full-Time

The Opportunity

We are recruiting a Service & Testing Manager on behalf of an established engineering business based in Aberdeen.

This is a key operational leadership position responsible for leading and developing the Service & Testing Team to deliver safe, efficient and high-quality service, maintenance and testing activities.

The role has a strong emphasis on people leadership, operational management and continuous improvement. You will lead and develop the team, manage performance, improve planning and workflow, and help build a positive culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

You don't necessarily need to be the strongest technical engineer in the room. While an understanding of engineering, service, maintenance or testing environments would be advantageous, the priority is finding an experienced operational people manager who knows how to lead teams, improve performance and successfully manage change.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage and develop the Service & Testing Team, setting clear expectations and creating a positive and accountable working environment.
• Plan, prioritise and oversee service, maintenance and testing activities, ensuring resources are deployed effectively and commitments are achieved.
• Coach and support team members, providing regular feedback and identifying development opportunities.
• Set objectives, monitor individual and team performance and address underperformance fairly and effectively.
• Lead employees through operational and organisational change, maintaining clear communication and team engagement.
• Apply Lean management and continuous improvement techniques to improve workflow, eliminate waste and increase operational efficiency.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and handovers between Service & Testing and other areas of the business.
• Maintain high standards of health, safety and quality throughout workshop activities.
• Take responsibility for workshop facilities and equipment, including maintenance, calibration, documentation and operational readiness.
• Use operational data and management information to monitor workload, capacity, quality and delivery performance.
• Identify operational issues and implement practical corrective actions and improvements.
• Work closely with technical specialists and other internal stakeholders to ensure operational and testing issues are understood and resolved.
• Engage with senior management and contribute to wider operational and strategic planning.
• Translate business priorities into clear and deliverable plans for the team.

About You

We're interested in speaking with experienced managers who can demonstrate a strong track record of leading people within a busy operational environment.

You could currently be working within service, maintenance, testing, workshop operations, manufacturing or another delivery-focused environment.

You'll ideally bring:

• Strong, demonstrable people management and operational leadership experience.
• Experience leading and developing teams within a service, workshop, manufacturing, maintenance or similarly operational environment.
• A track record of coaching and developing employees.
• Confidence managing performance, including addressing underperformance and having challenging conversations when required.
• Experience successfully leading teams through change.
• Practical experience applying Lean management, continuous improvement or process-improvement techniques.
• Strong planning and prioritisation skills within a busy operational environment.
• The ability to manage workload, resources and competing operational priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience using KPIs, operational data or management information to identify issues and improve performance.
• A proactive approach with the ability to identify problems and implement practical solutions.

Technical Background

Technical or engineering knowledge would be beneficial but is not essential.

Experience within engineering, oil & gas, manufacturing, maintenance, workshop operations or technical services could therefore be advantageous, particularly where you have managed service and testing activities.

However, candidates from other operational environments will also be considered where they can demonstrate the required people leadership, Lean/continuous improvement and operational management experience.

What We’re Looking For

This opportunity would particularly suit someone who combines strong leadership skills with a practical approach to operational improvement.

You'll be comfortable taking ownership, creating structure and accountability, challenging inefficient ways of working and supporting people through change.

You'll also need to be adaptable. This is an environment where priorities can change and managers are expected to think independently, make decisions and support the wider business when required.

Applicants must have current eligibility to work in the UK.

If you’re an experienced operational leader who enjoys developing people, improving processes and creating high-performing teams, we’d be interested in hearing from you.