Workshop Service Manager

Working in partnership with M&S, at Gist we deliver industry-leading logistics and supply chain transformation.

We value, celebrate, and believe in the power of individuality and strive to create a work environment where everyone can be themselves. We want you to join us, bring your authentic self to work and unlock your full potential.

As the Workshop Service Manager, you will be responsible for running the site and fleet maintenance department to meet all safety, legal, and operational requirements, and standards. You will ensure your team is engaged, well-managed, and performing to the highest standards against their business set key performance indicators. You will act as an advocate of the Gist objectives, values, and safety standards.

This role reports directly to the Fleet Engineering Manager (FEM) and you will be working with other key stakeholders, including the Site General Manager and Logistics Managers, to ensure seamless operations and alignment with business objectives.

What’s in it for you?

Gist is an inclusive, dynamic, exciting, and evolving business built on our core values. Here are some of the benefits we offer that make working for Gist just that little bit more special…

• 20% M&S discount on most things from furniture, fashion, and food
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (rising with length of service)
• Discounted rates on healthcare cash plan
• Attractive annual bonus scheme, based on M&S performance and personal objectives
• Auto Enrolment Pension or competitive Defined Contribution Pension Scheme
• Life assurance (up to 4 times salary)
• Access to a wide range of wellbeing support – including our Employee Assistance Programme
• A first-class welcome with a tailored induction and a wide range of training schemes to help with your learning and development
• Cycle to work scheme

Salary: £48,000
Hours: 37.5 hours
Working pattern: Monday to Friday
Location: Gist Faversham, Oare Road, Faversham, Kent, ME13 7TW

The Workshop Service Manager’s accountabilities will include:

• VMU Management: Focus primarily on daily and weekly outcomes of the VMU, ensuring all processes are carried out efficiently and effectively.
• Service and Process Management: Oversee VMU services and daily processes, including compliance, Vehicle Off-Road reporting, workflow, shift coverage, and service planning.
• Defect and Work Management: Manage incoming driver defects, monitor work in progress, and ensure alignment with the earned recognition scheme.
• Safety Leadership: Lead the way in safety best practices and ensure your team understands the importance of always being safe in the workplace.
• Preventative Maintenance: Schedule and manage preventative maintenance activities to optimise equipment reliability and performance.
• Improvement Initiatives: Identify and implement improvements to increase reliability, reduce spare part needs, and enhance health, safety, and wellbeing.
• Accident and Non-Compliance Investigations: Conduct thorough investigations into accidents and non-compliance issues, ensuring standards are consistently upheld.
• People Management:
• Team Support and Development: Ensure your team and the broader workforce receive the support and guidance needed to stay motivated and dedicated.
• Clear Goals and Communication: Set clear goals and objectives for all operational team members, maintaining regular communication through organised meetings and ad hoc catch-ups.
• Innovative Environment: Foster an innovative workforce by evaluating new ideas to improve service speed and quality.
• Recruitment and Evaluation: Assist in recruiting new team members, evaluate performance, and provide constructive feedback for personal and professional growth.
• Service Delivery: Manage Service Level Agreements and ensure service delivery meets or exceeds expectations.
• Resource Management: Ensure adequate cover is in place to deliver service, managing resources effectively.
• Parts Management: Oversee parts management, control, and analysis of Spare Parts Inventory, and maximise warranty and goodwill claims.
• Quality and Compliance:
• Quality Assurance: Perform quality checks to uphold Gist standards, ensuring all works carried out in the VMU align with the Gist safety culture and HSE requirements.
• MOT Planning: Manage and report on MOT planning and ensure compliance with all legal and safety standards.
• Contractor Management: Oversee daily third-party Vehicle Maintenance contractor management, including permits-to-work, site inductions, and work bookings.
• Tools and Equipment Management:
• Tools & Equipment: Ensure the maintenance and calibration of tools and equipment, keeping them fit for purpose.
• Fleet Engineering Manager (FEM) Coverage: Provide cover for the FEM during annual leave and sickness.
• Operational Planning: Develop and maintain a clear operational plan that keeps the end customer’s standards and expectations in mind.
• Contract Compliance: Ensure external service and calibration contracts are followed correctly, with proper contractor sign-in procedures and permits to work.
• Cost and Service Optimisation: Align maintenance activities with broader business objectives, seeking opportunities to reduce costs and improve service.
• Budget Management: Negotiate best rates for purchases, maintain an adequate stock of key spare parts within budget constraints, and effectively manage and forecast the maintenance department’s budget.
• Project Management: Oversee project management activities, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Production Communication: Communicate regularly with shift managers to minimise production disruptions.
• Driver Requirements Management: Ensure trip and driver requirements are understood and met in compliance with driver hours legislation.
• Fuel and Vehicle Maintenance: Collaborate with other departments to manage fuel and vehicle maintenance effectively.
• Service Failure Investigations: Investigate service or operational failures to understand causes and prevent future occurrences.
• VMU Improvements: Participate actively in the Vehicle Maintenance Unit improvements agenda, prioritising daily activities and delegating tasks efficiently within the engineering team.

Who you are:

• Qualified engineer with a background in both electrical and mechanical disciplines.
• Relevant experience in a logistics environment or a similar field.
• Innovative problem-solving skills, with a proven track record of implementing new solutions to enhance performance.
• Team management experience, with a focus on leading and developing high-performing teams.
• Proficient in budget management and cost forecasting.
• Project management experience, including improvements, cost savings, and the installation of new equipment.
• Positive approach towards Health, Safety and Wellbeing initiatives.
• NVQ Level 2-3 in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair or an equivalent qualification.

Why Gist?

At Gist we are united by our core values; with safety and people at the heart of everything do, we are progressive, accountable, collaborative, and ethical.

Our objective is to establish a performance-focused environment that is fair and inclusive, where everyone can develop, and connect meaningfully to their manager, the Gist vision, and M&S. We are fiercely protective of everyone’s health, safety, and wellbeing, and align firmly to M&S’s sustainability commitments in Plan A.

Gist will play an integral part in the M&S journey as it pushes boundaries to lead the retail industry into a greener, speedier, more inspiring era. As part of the M&S group, there’s never been a better time to be part of our team. Join us and make an immediate impact.

Gist aims to be an inclusive organisation, trusted and admired by our colleagues, customers, and suppliers. If you consider yourself to require reasonable adjustments to any part of our recruitment process, we invite you to share those requirements with us when completing your application.

We will make every effort to ensure your needs are met to provide a fair and transparent process of assessment. If it’s meaningful to you, it’s important to us.

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