This is a key role for DAF Fleet Services, seeking a commercially focused Maintenance Operations Manager to lead the performance, cost control and continuous improvement of our Supplier Operations Team. The role goes beyond day‑to‑day maintenance, placing strong emphasis on data analysis, cost optimisation and identifying trends to improve fleet reliability and reduce operational spend. You will drive efficiency through insight‑led decision‑making while ensuring customer service and maintaining good supplier relationships.
Responsibilities
- Oversee maintenance operations for a fleet of HGVs, LCVs and trailers.
- Manage maintenance spend with a strong focus on cost control, forecasting and variance analysis.
- Ensure a customer‑first approach is at the forefront of all commercial decisions.
- Lead, motivate and develop a high‑performing team by setting clear goals, fostering accountability and creating a collaborative results‑driven culture.
- Identify failure patterns, root causes and implement preventative measures to reduce repeat defects, breakdowns and unnecessary expenditure.
- Manage relationships with third‑party maintenance providers and suppliers.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, cost reduction and asset longevity.
- Collaborate and influence other departments to minimise fleet downtime.
- Work Monday – Friday, 8am to 5pm.
Qualifications and Experience
- Proven experience in fleet maintenance, transport operations or fleet management.
- Strong commercial awareness with demonstrable experience in cost control and budget management.
- Customer‑first ethos with a drive to provide high levels of engagement and teamwork.
- Robust analytical skills with experience of interpreting operational and financial data.
- Ability to identify trends, root causes and implement data‑driven solutions.
- Effective leadership and stakeholder management through positive influencing.
- Proven track record of managing a team.
- A can‑do attitude and enjoyment of troubleshooting.
- Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Organised, resilient and able to drive a team in the same manner.
Benefits
- Base salary of £55,000 (depending on experience).
- Annual 10% management bonus based on personal, team and business objectives.
- Company car.
- Excellent DAF development opportunities – in‑house and manufacturer‑provided, as well as Ford & Slater courses and technical exposure.
- 33 days holiday (including statutory).
- Employee recognition programmes.
- Regular, engaging social and collaborative events to grow our team internally and with our wider stakeholders.
- Employee assistance programmes.
- Career progression opportunities.
- Pension.
- Death in Service Life Insurance Scheme.
- Cycle‑to‑work scheme.
