At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Maintenance department, managing a £6m budget and ensuring fleet performance.
- Company: Join the AA, one of the UK's most trusted brands with diverse services.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, pension contributions, discounts, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and offers excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic role while keeping Britain moving.
- Qualifications: Strong HGV knowledge, workshop management experience, and budget control skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Company Description / Business Unit
Think the AA is just about roadside assistance? Think again! As one of the UK's most trusted brands, we provide a wide range of services to millions of customers. From comprehensive Home and Motor Insurance to personalised Financial Services like Loans and Savings, and outstanding B2B, Consumer, Business Services, Driver Training, Car Care, and Service Maintenance and Repair, we've got you covered. Our mission is to keep Britain moving, and we're looking for dedicated individuals to join our team.
Location: Oldbury – Hybrid – Three Days in Office
Employment Type: Permanent
Hours: Monday-Friday
This is the job
We’re looking for a dynamic leader to head up the Maintenance department within Recovery Operations. You’ll manage a £6m external maintenance budget and a team of 13, including three direct reports, ensuring our fleet of up to 280 HGVs stays roadworthy and ready for action. This role is for someone who thrives on responsibility and results. You’ll build strong partnerships with our national maintenance provider, drive accountability across your team, and use your expertise in HGV maintenance to deliver outstanding fleet performance while keeping costs under control. If you’re commercially savvy, confident in presenting data and insights to senior stakeholders, and passionate about making things happen, this is your opportunity to make a real impact.
What will I be doing?
- Ensuring all fleet vehicles are roadworthy and maintained in line with O Licence conditions and DVSA Earned Recognition standards.
- Keeping accurate records of all vehicle inspections and repairs.
- Controlling a £6m maintenance budget responsibly to ensure repair costs are fair, reasonable and reflect required work.
- Leading and managing a team of 13 colleagues, ensuring clarity of roles and engagement.
- Delivering consistent fleet availability of 90% through effective vendor management.
- Signing off high‑value repairs and approving invoices within agreed authority limits.
- Monitoring maintenance providers to ensure compliance with contractual standards.
- Representing the company during internal and external audits of fleet procedures and records.
- Creating and presenting management information (MI) reports at required intervals.
- Negotiating repair timelines and costs to achieve the best commercial outcomes for the business.
What do I need?
- Excellent knowledge of HGV operations and vehicle specifications.
- Extensive technical experience within a workshop environment.
- Experience in workshop management or control (highly advantageous).
- Engineering degree or equivalent qualification (desirable).
- Proven track record in managing maintenance of large HGV fleets of 100+ vehicles.
- Working knowledge of fleet software packages, such as R2C.
- Ability to diagnose faults accurately and recommend effective remedies at pace.
- Confidence in line management responsibilities with experience in departmental leadership.
- Experience in managing and setting departmental budgets of up to £6m.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to evaluate decisions commercially.
Benefits
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
- Company funded life assurance
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family
Equal Opportunity
We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.
Pre‑employment Checks
As part of the onboarding process, we complete several pre‑employment checks including work reference, credit and criminal record checks.
Application Note
We may close the vacancy sooner than the advertised date if we get a high volume of applications, please apply now if you are interested.
Vehicle Maintenance Manager employer: The AA
The AA is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of London where innovation meets tradition. Employees benefit from a competitive salary, annual bonuses, and a range of perks, all while having the opportunity to lead a dynamic legal team and influence key business decisions. With a strong focus on professional development and a commitment to fostering a collaborative environment, the AA empowers its staff to thrive and grow within their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vehicle Maintenance Manager
✨Connect with Local Logistic Groups
Dive into local transportation and logistics groups on platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn. Show up to their meetups if you can – it's a great way to network with industry pros who can share insights, job openings, or even refer you to their own company.
✨Get Behind the Wheel of Job Boards
Look for job boards specific to transportation and logistics, like Logistics Job Site or TransportJobs. These platforms often have listings that you won’t find on general job boards, so they’re worth checking out regularly!
✨Leverage Internships & Graduate Schemes
Many companies in transportation and logistics offer graduate schemes and internships that can pave the way to full-time positions. Don't shy away from applying; even a short stint can make a solid impact on your CV and get your foot in the door at companies like The AA.
✨Apply Directly with Us!
When you find openings at great companies, make sure to apply directly through our website. It not only shows your initiative but also helps us to help you get noticed by The AA. Every application gets us one step closer to landing that full-time gig!
We think you need these skills to ace Vehicle Maintenance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at The AA, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at The AA and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into The AA. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at The AA
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
Full-time roles in logistics often require collaboration with various teams, so don't forget to showcase your teamwork experience. Think of examples where you've used communication and collaboration to ensure smooth operations, and get ready to elaborate on how you can facilitate teamwork in a busy environment like at The AA.
✨Show Off Your Attention to Detail
In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to The AA.