Workshop Foreman

Location: ABM London Gatwick Airport

Employment Type: Full-Time 42 hours per week, Permanent (Monday to Friday)

Salary: Competitive

Role Overview:

We are seeking a customer-focused and hands-on Workshop Foreman to lead the day-to-day operations of our service workshop. This role combines technical oversight with team coordination, ensuring high standards of service delivery and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Service & Client Relations

• Act as the primary point of contact for all customer service and workshop-related inquiries.
• Liaise with clients to provide timely updates, manage expectations, and resolve service-related issues.

Workshop Operations

• Coordinate workshop loading in line with client requirements and operational capacity.
• Allocate tasks efficiently to engineers based on skill sets, availability, and job priority.
• Actively participate in technical tasks, providing hands-on support and leadership.

Compliance & Documentation

• Implement and maintain the Truck File programme for accurate service documentation and regulatory compliance.
• Conduct regular quality checks on service records and completed work.

Cost Control

• Monitor and manage parts expenditure to ensure cost-effective operations without compromising quality.

Health & Safety

• Ensure all workshop activities comply with health and safety regulations and best practices.

Reporting & Administration

• Complete all required reports accurately and on time.
• Fulfill any other reasonable work-related requests, including travel as necessary.

People Management

• Manage staff leave to ensure adequate workshop coverage.
• Oversee disciplinary matters in line with company policy.
• Coach and mentor team leaders to meet service level agreements.
• Ensure absence management processes are followed and escalate issues when necessary.
• Monitor employee sign-on/off compliance.
• Conduct appraisals and assessments to optimize staff performance and retention.
• Maintain staff discipline and compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure all paperwork complies with GDPR.

Health & Safety Responsibilities

• Follow all Group and company policies and procedures.
• Report deficiencies in systems or equipment that may impact service delivery or safety.
• Use all work equipment and PPE properly.
• Report issues or training needs to your line manager or via the divisional incident reporting system.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in a workshop or service management role, ideally within the automotive or commercial vehicle sector.
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing technical teams.
• Hands-on technical expertise in vehicle servicing and repairs.
• Proficient in service documentation systems (e.g., Truck File).
• Excellent communication skills with a customer-focused approach.
• Financial awareness for managing budgets and controlling costs.
• Relevant technical qualifications (e.g., City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 in Mechanical Commercial Vehicles or equivalent).
• Team-oriented mindset with strong interpersonal skills.
• PCV/HGV License – highly desirable.
• Advanced diagnostic skills and knowledge of DVSA standards – desirable