Operations Manager (HGV)

Our client is one of the UK's leading specialist HGV rental businesses, providing flexible and dependable vehicle solutions to customers across a broad range of industries are looking for an Operations Manager who has Rental and Fleet experience.

The Operations Manager will oversee the running of the HGV Rental site, where it currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 vehicles and has ambitious plans for continued expansion. The fleet is expected to grow to approximately 350 vehicles, progressing towards 450 vehicles within the next 24 months.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced Operations / Rental Manager to manage the rental function and help prepare the operation for its next stage of growth.

Working closely with senior management and the sales, fleet and workshop teams, you will ensure the right vehicles are available at the right time. This will involve balancing customer demand, fleet capacity, maintenance requirements and commercial performance.

The position would suit a knowledgeable, practical manager who understands vehicle rental and can introduce the structure, standards and processes required to manage a considerably larger fleet.

Key Duties

• Manage the daily performance and coordination of the rental department.
• Create an operational plan to accommodate fleet expansion from more than 250 to approximately 450 vehicles.
• Review existing working practices and introduce systems, procedures and service standards that can accommodate future growth.
• Maintain accurate information covering available, hired, reserved and unavailable vehicles.
• Forecast customer requirements and plan fleet capacity accordingly.
• Improve vehicle preparation and turnaround between rental periods.
• Coordinate with the workshop to prioritise inspections, servicing, repairs and vehicle availability.
• Manage the full rental process, from customer enquiry and vehicle allocation through to collection and off-hire.
• Allocate work across the rental team and ensure colleagues receive appropriate training and regular feedback.
• Use performance information to identify underused vehicles, avoidable downtime and opportunities to increase rental revenue.
• Review operating costs and introduce practical measures to improve efficiency and commercial returns.
• Maintain accurate rental records, documentation and management reports.
• Ensure vehicles are supplied and operated in line with legal, safety and operator-licence requirements.
• Resolve service issues promptly while protecting customer relationships and the commercial interests of the company.
• Maintain clear communication between the rental, sales, workshop, fleet and finance departments.
• Assist with the onboarding and delivery of new customer contracts.
• Provide senior management with regular forecasts, operational updates and recommendations.
• Contribute to fleet-composition, vehicle-replacement and investment decisions.

About You

The successful candidate will ideally have:

• Previous management experience within HGV or commercial-vehicle rental.
• Rental-sector experience involving either heavy or light commercial vehicles.
• Knowledge of fleet planning, vehicle utilisation and rental processes.
• Experience managing an operational team and setting clear performance expectations.
• The ability to improve processes and introduce structure within a growing organisation.
• Sound commercial judgement and awareness of how fleet decisions affect revenue and profitability.
• Knowledge of transport legislation, vehicle compliance and maintenance scheduling.
• A calm and decisive approach to operational pressures and customer issues.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to work effectively with customers, colleagues and senior management.
• Experience using fleet, rental or transport-management software.
• A proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational issues.
• The ability to develop alongside a rapidly expanding organisation.

What's on Offer

• A salary of £45,000-£55,000 per annum.
• An important management position within an established company entering a major period of expansion.
• The opportunity to influence the future structure and development of the rental operation.
• Company pension scheme.
• 31 days' holiday, including bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
• A busy and flexible working environment.
• Long-term career-development opportunities as the fleet and wider business expand.

This is an excellent opportunity to become part of an established and growing business at an exciting stage of its development.

For further information or a confidential discussion, please contact E3 Recruitment.