At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and support a team delivering reactive repairs in occupied homes.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on efficient domestic repairs.
- Benefits: Office-based role with clear progression opportunities and a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Use your trade knowledge while enjoying a stable office role.
- Qualifications: Trade background with experience in reactive domestic repairs and strong admin skills.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with a direct impact on resident satisfaction.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Are you a tradesperson working in reactive domestic repairs who's ready to come off the tools but still use your trade knowledge every day? We're looking for a Repairs Controller to coordinate and support a team of operatives delivering reactive repairs in occupied homes. This is a fully office-based role where your understanding of day-to-day repairs, access issues, and right-first-time working is just as important as strong admin and IT skills.
You’ll be the main point of contact for a team of trade operatives (plumbers, electricians, carpenters, plasterers), helping jobs stay on track, resolving issues as they arise, and reducing repeat visits.
The Role
The purpose of the role is to keep reactive repairs moving efficiently from first visit through to completion. You’ll support operatives in real time, deal with issues as they occur, keep systems accurate and up to date, and ensure residents and clients are kept informed. This role suits someone who understands the pressures of reactive repairs - last-minute changes, access problems, parts shortages, and resident expectations - and can manage these effectively from an office environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Running and managing daily reactive repair schedules for a team of operatives
- Acting as the main point of contact for operatives throughout the day
- Liaising with residents and clients (local authorities and housing associations) by phone, email, and live chat
- Providing technical guidance to operatives to help complete jobs right first time
- Reacting quickly to access issues, variations, and unforeseen problems
- Arranging parts and materials, including click & collect where required
- Accurately logging, updating, and tracking reactive repair jobs on the job management system
- Ensuring all job notes, updates, outcomes, and follow-on actions are properly recorded
- Monitoring job progress and escalating issues where required
Essential Skills & Experience
- Trade background essential, with experience in reactive domestic repairs
- A tradesperson looking to move into a permanent, office-based role
- Strong administration and organisational skills
- Excellent IT skills - confident updating repair systems, emails, and working across multiple screens
- Clear and professional communication skills with operatives, residents, and clients
- Ability to manage multiple live jobs in a fast-paced environment
- Calm, solutions-focused approach under pressure
Why This Role?
- A genuine opportunity to come off the tools without losing your trade knowledge
- Office-based role using real-world repairs experience
- Direct impact on repair performance, resident satisfaction, and right-first-time outcomes
- Clear progression into senior scheduling, operations, or management roles
Repairs Controller Ex Trade Person in Dunstable employer: Gilmartins
Contact Detail:
Gilmartins Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Repairs Controller Ex Trade Person in Dunstable
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the industry and let them know you're on the lookout for a new role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings that aren't advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Get your LinkedIn game on point! Make sure your profile is up-to-date and showcases your trade experience. Join relevant groups and engage with posts to increase your visibility and connect with potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your interview skills! Prepare for common questions related to reactive repairs and your trade background. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to boost your confidence before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can give you a better chance of standing out. Don’t miss out on the chance to land that perfect office-based role!
We think you need these skills to ace Repairs Controller Ex Trade Person in Dunstable
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Trade Knowledge: Make sure to highlight your experience in reactive domestic repairs. We want to see how your background as a tradesperson can help us coordinate and support our team effectively.
Keep It Clear and Professional: When you're writing your application, use clear and professional language. We need to know you can communicate well with operatives, residents, and clients, so show us your best communication skills!
Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills: Since this role involves managing multiple live jobs, it’s crucial to showcase your strong administration and organisational skills. Tell us about your experience juggling tasks and keeping everything on track.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to keep track of your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Gilmartins
✨Show Off Your Trade Knowledge
Make sure to highlight your experience in reactive domestic repairs during the interview. Share specific examples of how you've dealt with access issues or last-minute changes in the past. This will demonstrate that you understand the challenges of the role and can provide valuable insights.
✨Demonstrate Your Admin Skills
Since this role requires strong admin and IT skills, be prepared to discuss your experience with job management systems and any relevant software. Bring examples of how you've kept records accurate and up to date in previous roles, as this will show you're organised and detail-oriented.
✨Communicate Clearly
Effective communication is key in this position. Practice explaining complex repair issues in a simple way, as you’ll need to liaise with operatives, residents, and clients. Show that you can maintain professionalism while being approachable, which is crucial for building rapport.
✨Stay Solutions-Focused
Prepare to discuss how you handle pressure and unexpected problems. Think of scenarios where you successfully resolved issues quickly and efficiently. This will illustrate your calm, solutions-focused approach, which is essential for managing multiple live jobs in a fast-paced environment.