Workshop Controller in Lewes

Colas Ltd are a UK subsidiary of the global Colas Group, which operates in over 50 countries worldwide and employs over 55,000 people including over 1500 in the UK across multiple sites. We are specialists in highways construction and have been involved in large-scale UK and international construction projects within the highways, airfields, and marine sectors as well as offering highways maintenance services and manufacturing our own innovative surfacing products. We hold a 'Gold Investor in People' award for continuously developing and rewarding our employees, offering excellent career potential.

We have a great opportunity for a Workshop Controller to join the Mechanical Services team in Ringmer, BN8 5NP. You will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day coordination of workshop operations, ensuring that all vehicles, plant, and equipment are maintained, repaired, and inspected safely and efficiently. This role is critical in maximising productivity, maintaining compliance with all relevant legislation, and ensuring clear communication between technicians, management, and operational teams. You will play a central role in keeping the workshop running smoothly while supporting high standards of safety, quality, and performance.

As a Workshop Controller, you will coordinate and allocate work across the workshop, ensuring tasks are assigned based on technician skills, experience, and workload. Monitoring workflow and job progress will be key, ensuring all work is completed in line with operational priorities and deadlines. A core part of the role is maintaining compliance with manufacturer standards, company policies, and health and safety legislation, including PUWER, LOLER, COSHH, and DVSA guidelines where applicable. You will ensure all service records, inspection sheets, and compliance documentation are completed accurately and on time.

You will manage workshop administration, maintaining accurate records such as job cards, service schedules, defect reports, parts usage, and time tracking. Ensuring all data is correctly entered into fleet management systems is essential. Acting as a central communication point, you will liaise between workshop staff, drivers, and operational teams, providing regular updates on job progress, timescales, and any outstanding issues. You will carry out quality checks on completed work, ensuring repairs meet required standards before assets are returned to service. In addition, you will support continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and performance within the workshop.

The role also involves liaising with parts suppliers, managing stock levels, and ensuring parts are available when needed and correctly allocated to jobs. You will contribute to planning and scheduling maintenance activities, ensuring all servicing, MOT, LOLER, and calibration deadlines are met, while supporting breakdown response and recovery coordination. You will provide support and guidance to technicians, assist with onboarding new team members, and promote a positive, safety-focused working environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience within a workshop, fleet, or engineering environment, ideally within automotive, plant, or HGV sectors. A strong mechanical understanding is essential, along with the ability to coordinate workloads effectively in a fast‑paced environment. You will be highly organised, with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritise tasks and adapt to changing demands. Excellent communication skills are key, enabling you to work effectively with technicians, drivers, and operational teams.

You should be comfortable using workshop management systems and Microsoft Office, with a solid understanding of compliance requirements and industry regulations. A relevant qualification such as NVQ Level 3 in Heavy Vehicle, Light Vehicle, or Plant Maintenance would be advantageous, along with any professional memberships (IMI/IRTE) or health and safety training such as IOSH, First Aid, or Fire Marshal. You will bring a proactive approach, strong attention to detail, and a commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with the ability to support and coordinate a high‑performing workshop team.

Here at Colas, we offer a great total compensation package, including:

• A salary between £37,000 and £38,000
• 42.5 hours
• Our Colas Pension Scheme has combined contributions of up to 10%
• Life Assurance Scheme which is x4 basic salary
• 25 days annual leave per year + Public Holidays
• Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme
• Hybrid Working Scheme (dependent on the role)
• Opportunities to study towards a fully funded Professional Qualification
• Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants and much more through our online employee benefits portal

Colas Ltd is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce that mirrors the communities we serve. As an equal opportunity employer, we welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you want a workplace where your voice is valued and your potential is developed, Colas is the right choice.