Workshop Manager at Countrystyle Recycling, Sittingbourne, Kent

Job Title: Workshop Manager

Location: Ridham Dock Road, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME9 8SR (Ridham & Group Sites)

Salary: Competitive

Job Type: Permanent, Full time

Working Hours: Monday to Friday - 50 hours per week, flexibility required

About Us:

Countrystyle is a member of the family-owned Heathcote Holdings Group of resource management companies and as a family run business our people and customers are at the heart of our growth and drive for passion for solution focused service.

About the role:

An experienced, hands-on Workshop Manager who takes personal ownership of the workshop as if it were their own, setting the standard, leading from the front, and ensuring every vehicle, plant item and piece of equipment is maintained to the highest levels of safety, compliance and operational readiness. The role combines direct mechanical, diagnostic and repair work with day-to-day oversight of all workshop operations at Ridham, driving a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and engineering excellence. The successful candidate will be equally comfortable under a vehicle as they are in a budget review or compliance audit.

Responsibilities:

Hands-On Technical Work & Fault Diagnosis:

• Carry out and oversee routine inspections, servicing, maintenance and repairs to fleet vehicles, plant, machinery and site equipment.
• Use diagnostic equipment and technical knowledge to identify faults across hydraulic, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Carry out welding, fabrication, machining and general repair work as required to support workshop and operational needs.
• Complete initial assessments of vehicles, plant and equipment to identify root causes of faults and recommend cost-effective remedies.

Workshop Leadership & People Management:

• Take full ownership of the workshop - run it as if it were your own, holding yourself and your team to the highest standards.
• Lead, supervise and allocate daily tasks to mechanics, fitters, apprentices and other workshop staff.
• Provide hands-on guidance, support and mentoring to all workshop personnel.
• Conduct performance reviews, one-to-ones and development planning for direct reports.

Fleet Compliance & Regulatory Oversight:

• Ensure 100% Planned Event Maintenance (PEM) compliance across all vehicles and equipment types.
• Ensure full adherence to DVSA requirements, Operator Licence undertakings, manufacturer standards and company policy.
• Oversee MOT preparation and presentation, targeting consistently high first-time pass rates.
• Monitor and drive defect management processes, prioritising safety-critical defects and eliminating backlog growth.
• Conduct regular compliance audits; maintain audit-ready standards at all times and prepare the business for DVSA audits.

Planning, Scheduling & Operational Performance:

• Plan and coordinate servicing schedules, inspections, breakdown repairs and urgent maintenance to minimise downtime.
• Monitor workshop productivity, throughput and vehicle availability KPIs.
• Escalate Vehicle Off Road (VOR) risks promptly and manage resolution.
• Monitor repeat defects and drive root cause analysis and corrective action.

Record Keeping & Documentation:

• Maintain accurate, auditable records including inspection sheets, job cards, service records, defect reports and completed works.
• Ensure all documentation is kept up to date, signed off within required timescales and compliant with DVSA and company standards.

Financial & Commercial Management:

• Own and manage the workshop budget - treat expenditure with the same care as your own money.
• Control labour costs, overtime, agency spend and external repair expenditure.
• Monitor parts usage, stock levels and procurement.
• Identify and deliver cost-saving opportunities without compromising compliance or quality.

Health, Safety & Environmental Compliance:

• Ensure all workshop operations comply fully with current health, safety and environmental legislation.
• Complete dynamic risk assessments and follow safe systems of work at all times.
• Ensure LOLER, PUWER and all workshop equipment inspections remain fully compliant.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping standards - keep the workshop, yard and working areas clean, tidy, organised and safe at all times.
• Investigate accidents, incidents and near misses; implement corrective actions.

General:

• Comply with all Company policies and procedures, including the Employment Handbook, Health & Safety Policy, EMS/IMS Systems, Management Guide and financial/accounting systems.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by your Manager to meet the ongoing needs of the business.

About you:

Essential:

• Hands-on mechanical, diagnostic and fault-finding (HGV/LGV/plant)
• Strong leadership and people management
• Ownership mindset - personal accountability for outcomes
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Extensive hands-on experience maintaining and repairing HGV/LGV vehicles, plant and machinery
• Proven track record managing workshop teams (mechanics, fitters, apprentices)
• Deep knowledge of fleet compliance, DVSA requirements and Operator Licence obligations
• Experience owning and managing workshop budgets and cost control
• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance & Repair
• IOSH Managing Safely or NEBOSH equivalent
• Full UK driving licence

Desirable:

• Strategic thinking with commercial acumen
• Data-driven decision making
• Ability to influence at senior/director level
• Change management and continuous improvement
• Experience with digital fleet management and workshop systems
• Background in waste, logistics or transport-sector business
• CPC (Transport Manager) qualification
• IRTEC accreditation
• Class 1 HGV licence
• Management qualification (ILM Level 5 or equivalent)

Benefits:

• Car Allowance
• Life Insurance with access to GP24
• Commitment to wellbeing through Employee Assistance Programme
• Electric Car salary sacrifice scheme for eligible employees
• Cycle to work scheme
• Company Events
• GymFlex salary sacrifice

Please click the APPLY button to submit your CV for this role

Candidates with experience or relevant job titles of; Workshop Operations Manager, Head of Workshops, HGV Workshop Operations Manager, LGV Workshop Operations Manager may also be considered for this role.