At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and support a team delivering reactive repairs in occupied homes.
- Company: Join a dynamic team focused on efficient home repairs.
- Benefits: Enjoy a stable office role with opportunities for career progression.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with clear paths to senior roles.
- Why this job: Use your trade knowledge while enjoying a desk job with real impact.
- Qualifications: Trade background essential, with strong admin and IT skills.
The predicted salary is between 27000 - 33000 £ 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
- Taking calls from residents who are reporting repairs, creating the repair on the system and scheduling the jobs
- 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
Controller Ex Trade in Slough employer: Gilmartins
Gilmartins is an exceptional employer that values its employees and fosters a culture of recognition and growth. With a modern office environment in Houghton Regis, we offer clear progression opportunities, a competitive salary and bonus structure, and the autonomy to lead and improve contract performance. Join us to be part of a supportive team dedicated to delivering high-quality service in the social housing sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Controller Ex Trade in Slough
✨Join Construction Networks
Get yourself involved in local construction networks or industry events. They often have job boards, and networking can lead to unadvertised positions. Plus, it’s a great way to meet potential future colleagues!
✨Show Off Your Skills on Site
If you’ve done any hands-on work, whether it's through internships or personal projects, make sure you can showcase it. Consider volunteering for local construction projects or getting involved in community build days; it’s a solid way to demonstrate your skills and build connections.
✨Utilise Construction Job Sites
Don't just rely on the big job boards. Look at niche construction job sites—many companies prioritise these for full-time roles. Apply through these sites, but don’t forget to reach out directly to companies you admire, like Gilmartins, to express your interest!
✨Tailor Your Application for Full-Time Roles
Make your application stand out by tailoring it specifically for full-time positions. Highlight how your previous projects align with the company's work. At StudySmarter, we encourage you to demonstrate your commitment and long-term interest in the industry when applying for roles like Controller Ex Trade at Gilmartins.
We think you need these skills to ace Controller Ex Trade in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:In the construction industry, it's essential to highlight any hands-on experience you have. Whether it’s past projects you've worked on or specific roles you've held, make sure your CV emphasises your practical skills and contributions to construction sites.
Include Certifications and Qualifications:Don’t forget to list any certifications relevant to construction, like CSCS cards or other safety qualifications. These can really set you apart from other candidates and show that you’re serious about health and safety on-site.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Construction:When writing your cover letter for a construction role, focus on your problem-solving capabilities and teamwork. Construction relies heavily on collaboration, so mention how you’ve worked successfully with others to complete projects on time and within budget.
Adapt Your CV Format to the Field:Ensure your CV is clear and easy to read, with sections dedicated to skills such as project management, technical abilities, and site supervision. Construction roles often require a blend of technical know-how and soft skills, so make sure both are highlighted effectively.
How to prepare for a job interview at Gilmartins
✨Brush Up on Technical Knowledge
For a construction role, it's crucial we have a solid grasp of industry standards, safety protocols, and specific tools used on-site. Make sure you're familiar with relevant regulations and can talk confidently about them, as these often come up in interviews.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Since this is a full-time position, be ready to discuss any previous construction projects you've worked on. Bring a portfolio or have detailed descriptions that highlight your role, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them—this’ll show you’re not just book-smart but also practically savvy.
✨Understand the Team Dynamics
Construction is all about teamwork, so prepare to discuss how you interact with different stakeholders like architects, engineers, and contractors. Maybe think of examples from past experiences to illustrate your ability to communicate and collaborate effectively.
✨Prepare for On-the-Spot Problem Solving
Be ready for some practical questions or scenarios where you'll need to demonstrate your problem-solving skills. Interviewers might present you with a hypothetical construction issue to solve, so practice articulating your thought process clearly and logically—this could really set you apart!
