At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop service operations across the UK for a thriving plant hire company.
- Company: Join a pioneering firm with over 40 years in the construction industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, ongoing learning, gym membership, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal growth and community involvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while driving operational excellence and team development.
- Qualifications: Proven leadership experience in multi-site service or engineering operations.
Our client has been supporting the UK construction industry with reliable plant hire for over 40 years. Known for our personal service and sustainable solutions, we take pride in doing things differently. We're looking for an experienced National Service Manager to lead and develop our service operations across the UK. This is a key leadership role responsible for driving equipment availability, workshop performance, service quality, and operational excellence across all depots. You’ll be a strategic thinker with strong leadership skills, a passion for continuous improvement, and a proven ability to deliver results through people and process.
What you'll do
- Lead, coach and develop Service Department Managers across the business
- Drive improvements in equipment availability, workshop productivity and service delivery
- Champion quality standards and promote a "Right First Time" culture across all service departments
- Monitor and review service KPIs, operational performance and productivity metrics identify trends, challenges and opportunities through weekly and monthly reporting
- Develop and implement standardised workshop processes and best practices across all depots
- Support depot teams with major repairs, complex service issues and asset management initiatives
- Improve equipment readiness, repair turnaround times and overall fleet utilisation
- Monitor workshop expenditure and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency
- Support monthly P&L reviews and operational performance analysis
- Ensure workshops operate to the highest standards of health, safety and compliance
- Support recruitment, training and development of workshop teams nationally
- Contribute to the company's national service strategy and operational improvement projects
- Support the successful setup of new depots and ensure workshop standards are embedded from day one
What we're looking for
- Proven experience leading multi-site service, workshop or engineering operations
- Strong leadership and people management skills with the ability to develop high-performing teams
- Experience driving operational performance, productivity and service excellence
- Strong understanding of plant, fleet, equipment maintenance or engineering environments
- Excellent problem-solving and decision-making abilities
- Commercial awareness with experience managing budgets and controlling costs
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret operational and financial data
- Knowledge of health, safety and compliance requirements within workshop environments
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to influence, motivate and drive consistency across multiple locations
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel nationally
What you'll get
- A role with purpose and opportunity to make an impact
- A collaborative and inclusive environment
- Ongoing learning and development opportunities
- £250 ‘Love to Learn’ voucher each year to support your personal growth and learning goals
- One Volunteer Day per year to spend helping a cause that you care about
- Subsidised gym membership – we’ll cover 50% of your monthly cost (subject to criteria)
- 25 days’ holiday + bank holidays
- Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
- Mental health & wellbeing support programmes
- Regular team socials and events
National Service Manager employer: Forward Assist Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking company that has been a cornerstone of the UK construction industry for over 40 years, where your leadership as a National Service Manager will drive operational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement. With a commitment to personal service and sustainable solutions, you'll benefit from a collaborative work environment, ongoing professional development opportunities, and a range of employee perks including a 'Love to Learn' voucher, subsidised gym membership, and mental health support. This role not only offers the chance to make a significant impact across multiple depots but also encourages a healthy work-life balance with generous holiday allowances and volunteer days.
Contact Details:
Forward Assist Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land National Service Manager
✨Tip Number 1: Get Involved in Consulting Case Competitions
Look for case competitions hosted by universities and consulting firms. They’re a fab way to showcase your problem-solving skills and meet industry players. Plus, winning one can seriously boost your CV, which we know is key when applying for roles like National Service Manager at Forward Assist Recruitment!
✨Tip Number 2: Leverage Alumni Networks
Tap into your university’s alumni network; many consultants love to help out new talent. Reach out to alumni who are working in management consulting, they might have insider knowledge about openings at firms like Forward Assist Recruitment or be willing to refer you for that National Service Manager position!
✨Tip Number 3: Attend Industry Events and Conferences
Keep an eye on management consulting events, workshops, or panels. These are prime opportunities to network with top professionals and get your name out there. You might even bump into someone from Forward Assist Recruitment who’s on the lookout for their next National Service Manager star!
✨Tip Number 4: Polish Your Consulting Skills Online
Engage with online platforms that offer consulting simulations or courses. Prove your chops by completing relevant projects — this not only beefs up your experience but also gives you concrete examples to chat about during interviews for that full-time National Service Manager role at Forward Assist Recruitment!
We think you need these skills to ace National Service Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Problem-Solving Skills:In management consulting, it's all about problem-solving—so make sure your CV highlights your analytical and critical thinking skills. Include examples from your studies or previous roles where you tackled complex issues or came up with innovative solutions. Quantify your achievements whenever possible to demonstrate your impact!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to explain why you're a perfect fit for the consulting world. Focus on your motivation for joining the industry and how your skills align with the requirements of the role at Forward Assist Recruitment. Remember to mention any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your understanding of strategic frameworks or business models!
Highlight Team Experience:Consultants often work in teams, so it's vital to showcase your collaborative skills. Include experiences where you've worked effectively with others, whether in academic group projects or internships. Discuss your role in the team and how you helped achieve common goals, demonstrating you can thrive in a consultancy environment.
Professionalise Your Online Presence:Make sure your LinkedIn and any other professional profiles are up to date, reflecting your career aspirations in management consulting. Connect with industry professionals and follow relevant groups—show you’re serious about entering this field. Applying through our website is a great way to get noticed, so showcase your personality and enthusiasm there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Assist Recruitment
✨Master the Case Study Game
In management consulting, case study interviews are all the rage. Make sure to practice structuring your thoughts and analysing data on the fly. Use resources like example case studies to get comfortable with frameworks and solutions. Remember, it’s not just about getting the right answer but showcasing your thought process, so talk us through your reasoning!
✨Know Your Numbers
Be prepared for some numerical and analytical questions. Brush up on your mental math and be ready to interpret data from charts or graphs. We might throw some business scenarios at you that require a quick turnaround on numerical analysis, so practice these skills to feel confident and swift!
✨Show Your Leadership Flair
As this is a full-time role, we want to see your potential as a seasoned consultant. Be ready to discuss experiences where you've led a project or a team. Think about times you've influenced decisions or navigated challenges—this is your chance to show how you can thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
✨Be a Cultural Fit
We’re not just looking for brains; we want to see if you vibe with our company culture at Forward Assist Recruitment. Prepare to share how your values align with ours. Have a think about what makes a great team environment for you and how you can contribute to that. A good cultural fit goes a long way in management consulting!
