Workshop Manager

The company provides specialist engineering, manufacturing, testing, servicing and operational support to the energy industry. It develops and supports technologies for challenging operating environments, delivering safe, reliable and efficient solutions for its customers.

The Role

The Workshop Manager contributes to the successful delivery of products and services through effective leadership, management and development of workshop operations, ensuring activities are delivered safely, efficiently and to the required quality standards.

The role focuses on developing the workshop team, managing performance and resources, and creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement. Applying lean management principles, the Workshop Manager will optimise workflow and working practices while coordinating workshop and testing activities to ensure operational priorities are effectively planned and delivered.

Specific Responsibilities

• Promote and maintain safe working practices across all workshop activities, taking prompt and appropriate action to address reported issues.
• Take overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and performance of workshop operations, planning and prioritising workloads and ensuring capacity, competence, resources and operational readiness are effectively managed to meet commitments.
• Provide clear leadership and direction to the workshop team, setting expectations and objectives, monitoring performance, providing constructive feedback and addressing underperformance fairly and consistently in line with company procedures.
• Develop workshop capability through coaching, cross-training and effective resource planning, supporting the team through operational and organisational change.
• Promote effective communication, coordination and handovers between Workshop, Operations, Engineering, Field Services, Quality and Testing, ensuring issues affecting testing, operations or customer delivery are identified, communicated and acted upon promptly.
• Take accountability for the effective management and upkeep of workshop facilities and equipment, including maintenance, calibration, documentation and operational readiness.
• Apply lean management techniques to improve workflow and working practices, eliminate waste and inefficiency, strengthen handovers and embed a culture of continuous improvement.
• Lead and support investigations, non-conformance reports (NCRs) and quarantine processes, ensuring issues are addressed promptly, corrective actions are implemented and appropriate records are maintained.
• Use appropriate operational measures and management information to monitor workload, capacity, quality and delivery, taking corrective action or escalating issues where required.
• Work collaboratively with technical specialists and the management team, contributing to operational and strategic planning, communicating technical and operational issues, and translating agreed priorities into deliverable team plans.

General Responsibilities

• Adhere to established work practices, methods and procedures.
• Undertake relevant training and development activities as required.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with data protection requirements and associated guidelines.
• Comply with the company’s health and safety policies and procedures.
• Perform reasonable duties within the overall function and level of responsibility of the role.
• Maintain an understanding of the company’s organisational structure, reporting lines and wider team responsibilities.

Experience Required

• Strong, demonstrable management experience in an operational, service, workshop, manufacturing or similarly delivery-focused environment.
• Experience of leading teams through change, coaching and developing employees, and managing performance effectively.
• Practical knowledge and experience of applying lean management or continuous improvement techniques to improve operational performance.
• Experience within an engineering workshop environment involving the assembly, servicing, maintenance or testing of mechanical and/or hydraulic equipment is desirable.

Skills

• Leadership: Ability to provide clear direction, establish expectations and create an accountable, engaged and high-performing workshop environment.
• Problem-solving: Ability to identify underlying issues, determine appropriate action and implement sustainable improvements.
• Stakeholder management: Ability to establish effective working relationships across departments and manage competing requirements and priorities.
• Planning and prioritisation: Strong organisational skills, with the ability to coordinate workloads, resources and operational commitments.
• Communication: Clear and proactive verbal and written communication skills.
• Operational analysis: Ability to interpret management information, identify issues and implement practical improvements.
• Attention to detail: Accurate record-keeping and the ability to work to agreed schedules and deadlines.
• Time management: Ability to prioritise tasks and manage time efficiently.

Qualifications

• A supervisory or management qualification is desirable.
• Lean management, continuous improvement or equivalent training is desirable.
• A relevant engineering, technical or operational qualification is desirable.

Special Conditions

• Applicants must have the right to work in the UK.
• As part of a small organisation, team members must be flexible and willing to undertake a broad range of activities, including duties that may sit outside the usual scope of an equivalent role elsewhere. The successful candidate will demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills, exercise independent judgement and work effectively in an environment where fixed routines may not always be established.