ISQ Recruitment Ltd
Vehicle Maintenance Unit Manager
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VMU Manager
Location: Didcot
Salary: £45,000 per annum
Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Hours: Monday to Friday, 45 hours per week - 07:00 to 16:30, with flexibility required
Additional Earnings: Overtime opportunities available
An excellent opportunity has arisen for an experienced VMU Manager / Commercial Vehicle Workshop Manager to take responsibility for a busy fleet maintenance operation in Didcot.
Working within a well-established commercial vehicle business, you will lead the day-to-day running of the Vehicle Maintenance Unit, ensuring the workshop has the people, equipment and processes required to meet customer fleet demands.
This is a hands-on management position suited to someone with a strong technical background who enjoys developing people, improving workshop performance and maintaining high standards of safety, compliance and customer service.
The Role
As VMU Manager, you will have overall responsibility for workshop performance, workforce planning and operational delivery.
A significant part of your role will involve leading, coaching and supporting the workshop team while ensuring productivity, costs and customer requirements are effectively managed.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan technician and workshop resources around customer fleet requirements.
- Manage day-to-day operations within the Vehicle Maintenance Unit.
- Monitor labour utilisation, productivity and workshop performance.
- Manage labour costs and the appropriate use of third-party suppliers.
- Oversee WIP management and support effective financial and cash control.
- Ensure workshop facilities, bays, diagnostic equipment, tooling and machinery are used effectively.
- Maintain high standards of health, safety and workshop compliance.
- Manage contractors and ensure relevant working practices and safety requirements are followed.
- Monitor performance across retail, warranty and contract maintenance work.
- Support workshop investment and resource planning.
- Review operational processes and identify opportunities to improve efficiency.
- Recruit, induct and develop new team members.
- Coach, motivate and retain a high-performing workshop team.
- Set clear objectives and regularly review individual and team performance.
- Maintain strong communication with customers, technicians and wider operational teams.
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What We're Looking For
You will ideally have previous experience in a VMU Manager, Workshop Manager, Fleet Maintenance Manager, Engineering Manager, Workshop Controller or similar commercial vehicle management position.
You Will Also Need
- Level 3 qualification in Vehicle Maintenance and Repair, such as NVQ, City & Guilds or IMI.
- Strong commercial vehicle or fleet maintenance experience.
- Previous experience supervising or managing a workshop team.
- Good understanding of workshop productivity, labour management and WIP.
- Strong organisational and time-management skills.
- The ability to plan resources around changing operational requirements.
- Confident leadership and communication skills.
- A positive, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
- The ability to coach and motivate technicians and workshop employees.
- A strong focus on safety, quality and customer service.
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Experience within an HGV, LCV, commercial vehicle, fleet maintenance or Vehicle Maintenance Unit environment would be particularly relevant.
What's On Offer
- £45,000 annual salary.
- Monday-to-Friday working.
- Overtime opportunities.
- Birthday day off.
- 23 days' annual leave.
- Auto-enrolment pension.
- Life assurance at four times salary.
- Branded uniform and boot allowance.
- Toolbox insurance.
- Enhanced maternity and paternity policies.
- Employee Assistance Programme.
- 24-hour online GP access.
- Mental Health First Aiders.
- Reward and recognition programmes.
- Annual appraisals and career progression opportunities.
- Manufacturer and technical training.
- Access to internal training and development resources.
- Long-service recognition.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Commercial Vehicle Workshop Manager or VMU Manager looking to take ownership of a busy operation while developing a skilled technical team.
To apply, please click apply or send your CV to jobs@isqrecruitment.co.uk. For more information, please contact ISQ Recruitment on 01603 369 500.
ISQ Recruitment Ltd is acting as an employment agency in relation to this vacancy.
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