Workshop Equipment Manager (Projects & Maintenance)

About us : We are one of the top three automotive retailers in the UK, proudly representing 32 manufacturer brands, selling a huge range of new and used vehicles from over 150 dealerships across the UK and Ireland.
We believe our people are our greatest asset, and we're committed to recognising the valuable contribution each person makes. That's why we continue to invest in a leading rewards and benefits package designed to support your career, wellbeing, and life outside of work.
Workshop Equipment Manager, Stoke Head Office - Hybrid with National Travel. £53k - £60k + bonus + car
Reporting to the Group Property Director, The Workshop Equipment Manager (Projects & Maintenance) is responsible for the strategic management, procurement, installation, maintenance, compliance and lifecycle planning of workshop equipment across Lookers and Charles Hurst Motor Group's national dealership network.
The role will lead the development and delivery of a Group-wide workshop equipment strategy that drives operational efficiency, reduces total cost of ownership, improves equipment reliability and enhances workshop productivity. Through effective procurement, supplier management and contract negotiation, the postholder will identify and deliver sustainable cost savings whilst maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and compliance.
Working closely with Aftersales, Property, Procurement, OEM partners and dealership management teams, the role will ensure workshop equipment remains fit for purpose, compliant with all regulatory and manufacturer requirements, and capable of supporting a best-in-class customer experience.
The successful candidate will act as the Group's subject matter expert for workshop equipment, championing continuous improvement, standardisation and value creation across the dealership estate.
This role is critical to ensuring Lookers and Charles Hurst Motor Group's workshops operate safely, efficiently and cost-effectively.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Significant experience managing workshop equipment, engineering assets, maintenance programmes or technical infrastructure within automotive, engineering, logistics or multi-site operational environments.
Proven track record of delivering cost savings through procurement, supplier management and contract negotiation.
Experience leading tendering and competitive procurement processes.
Strong knowledge of workshop equipment including vehicle lifts, MOT testing equipment, wheel alignment systems, compressors and associated workshop infrastructure.
Experience managing maintenance contracts and supplier performance.
Understanding of relevant health and safety legislation and statutory compliance requirements.
Strong commercial and financial acumen.
Experience managing capital investment projects from concept through to completion.
Excellent analytical, organisational and project management skills.
Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and asset or maintenance management systems.
Desirable
Experience within a franchised automotive retail environment.
Understanding of OEM facility and workshop equipment standards.
Engineering, mechanical or technical qualification.
IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
Member of a relevant professional body.
Key Competencies
Commercial Awareness
Strategic Procurement
Cost Optimisation
Contract & Supplier Management
Continuous Improvement
Asset Lifecycle Management
Project Delivery
Financial Management
Risk Management
Problem Solving
Stakeholder Engagement
Negotiation & Influencing
Quality Focus
Leadership & Accountability
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Annual cost savings delivered through procurement and contract management.
Reduction in total maintenance expenditure while maintaining operational and compliance standards.
Workshop equipment uptime and availability.
Reduction in reactive maintenance events.
Supplier performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
Compliance audit results and statutory inspection completion rates.
Capital project delivery against budget, timetable and quality objectives.
Workshop productivity and efficiency improvements resulting from equipment investment and optimisation.
Stakeholder satisfaction across dealership, aftersales and operational teams.
Skills, Knowledge & Experience
Essential
Significant experience managing workshop equipment, engineering assets, maintenance programmes or technical infrastructure within automotive, engineering, logistics or multi-site operational environments.
Proven track record of delivering cost savings through procurement, supplier management and contract negotiation.
Experience leading tendering and competitive procurement processes.
Strong knowledge of workshop equipment including vehicle lifts, MOT testing equipment, wheel alignment systems, compressors and associated workshop infrastructure.
Experience managing maintenance contracts and supplier performance.
Understanding of relevant health and safety legislation and statutory compliance requirements.
Strong commercial and financial acumen.
Experience managing capital investment projects from concept through to completion.
Excellent analytical, organisational and project management skills.
Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management capabilities.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and asset or maintenance management systems.
Desirable
Experience within a franchised automotive retail environment.
Understanding of OEM facility and workshop equipment standards.
Engineering, mechanical or technical qualification.
IOSH, NEBOSH or equivalent Health & Safety qualification.
Member of a relevant professional body.
Key Competencies
Commercial Awareness
Strategic Procurement
Cost Optimisation
Contract & Supplier Management
Continuous Improvement
Asset Lifecycle Management
Project Delivery
Financial Management
Risk Management
Problem Solving
Stakeholder Engagement
Negotiation & Influencing
Quality Focus
Leadership & Accountability
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Annual cost savings delivered through procurement and contract management.
Reduction in total maintenance expenditure while maintaining operational and compliance standards.
Workshop equipment uptime and availability.
Reduction in reactive maintenance events.
Supplier performance against agreed SLAs and KPIs.
Compliance audit results and statutory inspection completion rates.
Capital project delivery against budget, timetable and quality objectives.
Workshop productivity and efficiency improvements resulting from equipment investment and optimisation.
Stakeholder satisfaction across dealership, aftersales and operational teams.
Core Benefits:
Competitive salaries with structured pay scales and progression as you grow within the business
Generous annual leave that increases with your length of service
Enhanced family leave, including 6 months' full pay for maternity and adoption leave, and 2 weeks' full pay for paternity leave
Access to Techscheme for discounted technology purchases with flexible payments
Health & Wellbeing:
Eyecare vouchers to help cover vision care needs
Smart Health – 24/7 access to GP services to support your mental and physical wellbeing
Dental insurance for everyday dental care and unexpected treatments
Optional critical illness cover for peace of mind during life's most challenging moments
Financial Wellbeing:
MyView PayNow – access a portion of your pay as you earn, with features to stream, save, and track your money through a user-friendly app
Free will writing services to help plan for the future
Flexible life assurance options and partner life assurance for added protection
Leisure & Lifestyle:
Discounted gym memberships to support an active lifestyle
Travel insurance to help you explore with confidence
Access to home and technology vouchers
bYond card and a wide range of exclusive retail and lifestyle discounts
We strongly believe in nurturing and providing our people with specific manufacturer brand and management training to enhance career development opportunities. We have a great bunch of people, and we like to celebrate and encourage success at all levels.
Lookers and Charles Hurst are an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to a working environment that is free from discrimination, is inclusive, and empowers our people to bring their whole self to work and reach their full potential.
If your application is successful, we will conduct relevant employment checks prior to you commencing employment with us. These will include verifying your recent employment, address, credit history and a standard criminal record check. For roles that require you to drive, a driving licence check will also be carried out. Please note, all offers of employment are made subject to a 6 month probation period commencing from your start date.
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