SUMMARY:
Workshop Manager – Transport & Logistics
Location: Zimbabwe
Employment Type: Permanent
Position Level: Senior Management
Industry: Transport, Logistics, Warehousing and Freight
Salary: Negotiable, depending on experience
Purpose of the Position
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Workshop Manager to take full responsibility for the management, maintenance and operational availability of a large commercial vehicle fleet within a fast-paced transport and logistics environment.
The successful candidate will oversee the complete workshop function, ensuring that trucks, trailers and associated fleet equipment are maintained to high standards of safety, reliability and operational readiness.
This senior management role requires extensive experience in heavy commercial vehicles, diesel mechanical maintenance and large transport fleet workshop operations. Key priorities include effective preventative maintenance, reduced vehicle downtime, maintenance cost control, strong technical team leadership and the safe, timely return of vehicles to service.
POSITION INFO:
Key Responsibilities
Workshop Management
Take full responsibility for the day-to-day running of the workshop, ensuring that operations are efficient, well organised and aligned with fleet requirements.
Plan, coordinate and control all maintenance and repair activities. Manage workflow, allocate tasks to mechanics, artisans and technical personnel, and monitor vehicles entering and leaving the workshop.
Ensure that repairs are completed correctly, within agreed turnaround times and to consistently high standards of workmanship. Maintain appropriate control over workshop facilities, tools and equipment, ensuring that they remain properly maintained.
Fleet Maintenance
Manage the maintenance and repair of a large fleet of heavy commercial trucks, trailers and related equipment.
Implement preventative and scheduled maintenance programmes, ensuring that services are completed at the prescribed intervals. Monitor vehicle condition and identify potential mechanical failures before they result in breakdowns.
Oversee major mechanical repairs and component replacements, including engines, gearboxes, differentials, braking systems, suspension and electrical systems. Ensure accurate diagnostics and effective fault finding, coordinate breakdown repairs and emergency maintenance, and prioritise activities that minimise downtime and maximise fleet availability.
Preventative Maintenance
Develop and maintain preventative maintenance schedules based on vehicle kilometres, service intervals and maintenance history. Ensure that vehicles are serviced before reaching critical maintenance thresholds.
Identify recurring mechanical problems, analyse breakdown trends and implement lasting corrective solutions. Continually improve maintenance practices to strengthen fleet reliability and extend vehicle and component life.
Breakdown Management
Ensure that breakdowns receive a prompt and effective response. Coordinate workshop and roadside repair teams, determine whether vehicles should be repaired on site or recovered to the workshop, and ensure that the necessary technical resources and spare parts are available.
Monitor breakdown frequency, investigate recurring failures and implement practical measures to reduce roadside breakdowns and operational disruptions.
Staff Management
Lead and manage the workshop team, including diesel mechanics, auto electricians, artisans, technicians, workshop supervisors, apprentices, workshop assistants and support staff.
Allocate daily work, monitor productivity and establish clear performance standards for workmanship and repair turnaround times. Hold team members accountable for the quality and timely completion of their work.
Identify training and development needs, mentor technical personnel and manage attendance, overtime, discipline and performance. Promote a professional, productive and safety-focused workshop culture.
Parts and Stores Control
Work closely with parts and procurement teams to ensure that critical spares are available and that appropriate stock levels are maintained for fast-moving and essential components.
Monitor parts and component consumption, ensuring that items are correctly issued against individual vehicles and job cards. Reduce unnecessary or excessive parts usage and support supplier evaluations and technical component sourcing where required.
Evaluate repair-versus-replacement decisions to ensure that maintenance remains cost-effective.
Cost and Budget Management
Prepare and control workshop budgets, manage operating costs and monitor maintenance expenditure.
Track maintenance costs per vehicle and per kilometre, investigate high-cost vehicles and analyse recurring repair expenditure. Control overtime, parts, tyres, lubricants and external repair costs, and review quotations for major repairs and outsourced work.
Identify opportunities to reduce maintenance costs without compromising vehicle safety or reliability. Provide management with accurate maintenance and expenditure reports.
Job Cards and Administration
Ensure that all repairs and maintenance activities are supported by accurate job cards and comprehensive vehicle maintenance histories.
Maintain complete records of labour hours, parts usage and external repair costs. Monitor open job cards and outstanding repairs, keep technical records accurate and up to date, and prepare regular workshop performance and fleet maintenance reports.
Vehicle Inspections and Quality Control
Implement effective pre- and post-maintenance inspection procedures and ensure that vehicles are thoroughly checked before being returned to service.
Conduct quality checks on completed repairs, investigate and rectify faults reported by drivers, and confirm that vehicles meet company standards and roadworthiness requirements.
Health, Safety and Compliance
Maintain strict workshop health and safety standards, including compliance with personal protective equipment requirements and safe working procedures.
Ensure high standards of housekeeping and the safe handling and storage of oils, fuels, batteries, tyres and hazardous materials. Arrange for workshop and lifting equipment to be inspected and maintained.
Ensure that vehicles comply with applicable roadworthiness and transport regulations. Investigate workshop incidents and implement appropriate corrective action.
Fleet Performance and Reporting
Monitor and report on fleet availability, vehicle downtime, breakdown frequency, maintenance cost per vehicle and per kilometre, workshop productivity and repair turnaround times.
Track repeat repairs, preventative maintenance compliance, parts consumption and outstanding job cards.
Provide senior management with regular reports identifying operational risks, performance trends and recommended corrective actions.
Minimum Requirements
- A relevant qualification in Diesel Mechanics, Automotive, Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline. A recognised trade qualification in Diesel Mechanics or a related heavy vehicle discipline would be highly advantageous.
- A minimum of 8–10 years’ experience in commercial vehicle maintenance, including significant experience as a Workshop Manager, Fleet Maintenance Manager or senior workshop supervisor.
- Strong experience within a transport, logistics, trucking or large commercial fleet environment, with a proven record of managing a large workshop and technical team.
- Extensive practical knowledge of heavy commercial trucks and trailers, supported by strong diesel mechanical, diagnostic and fault-finding expertise.
- Proven experience in preventative maintenance and breakdown management, together with a sound understanding of fleet maintenance systems, job cards and maintenance records.
- Experience managing workshop budgets and maintenance costs, strong computer literacy and reporting skills, and a valid driver’s licence.
Essential Industry ExperienceApplicants must have substantial experience in one or more of the following environments:
large commercial trucking fleets, transport and logistics companies, freight and distribution operations, heavy commercial vehicle workshops or fleet maintenance operations.
Technical KnowledgeThe successful candidate should demonstrate strong practical knowledge of heavy-duty diesel engines, gearboxes and drivetrains, differentials, air braking systems, suspension systems, and truck and trailer electrical systems.
Additional expertise should include diagnostics and fault finding, preventative maintenance, vehicle recovery and breakdown procedures, tyre management, lubrication systems, workshop equipment and fleet maintenance planning.
Experience across recognised heavy commercial vehicle brands will be advantageous.
Key CompetenciesThe successful candidate must demonstrate strong leadership, sound technical judgement and excellent problem-solving ability, supported by a hands-on management approach.
Excellent planning, organisational and people-management skills are essential, together with clear communication, attention to detail and a high level of accountability.
The role requires someone who can manage competing priorities, perform effectively under pressure and exercise strong commercial and cost awareness while maintaining an unwavering commitment to vehicle safety and reliability.
Ideal Candidate ProfileThe ideal candidate is a
career transport workshop professional who understands the importance of fleet availability to a successful logistics operation.
They will be comfortable managing a busy, high-volume commercial workshop where breakdown response, preventative maintenance, cost control and vehicle turnaround times directly influence operational performance.
The successful candidate must be able to lead from the front, address poor workmanship, identify recurring mechanical problems and implement practical solutions that improve fleet reliability and reduce downtime.
Candidates with experience managing
large truck fleets and high-volume transport workshops in Zimbabwe, South Africa or elsewhere in Africa will be particularly well suited to this opportunity.
