HGV Workshop Manager Jobs

The HGV Workshop Manager leads the technical, commercial and operational performance of a heavy vehicle workshop, holding accountability for the productivity, quality and compliance of a team of HGV Technicians, HGV Fitters and HGV Mechanics, the workshop's labour sales and cost performance, its DVSA compliance standards and the customer or fleet operator relationships that depend on vehicle availability and first-time fix quality.

In a franchised truck dealership the HGV Workshop Manager runs the aftersales department as a commercial profit centre, managing warranty labour, retail repair, contract maintenance and campaign work against technician efficiency, labour sales per bay and manufacturer CSI targets. In a fleet VMU or logistics operator the Workshop Manager is accountable for maintaining the fleet in a roadworthy, compliant and available condition within the operating budget, managing inspection schedules meticulously and ensuring DVSA audit-readiness at all times.

In both contexts the role demands a technically credible leader who can command the respect of an experienced technical team, identify and resolve workshop efficiency bottlenecks, develop the capability of HGV Workshop Supervisors and senior technicians and build a workshop culture where quality, compliance and throughput are equally valued.

Venatu recruits HGV Workshop Managers for permanent and interim roles across franchised truck dealerships, fleet maintenance operations, logistics VMUs, managed maintenance providers and independent commercial vehicle workshop businesses throughout the UK. This role sits within our truck and van recruitment division.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Franchised truck and commercial vehicle dealerships across all major OEM brands
• Fleet VMU operations run by logistics, utilities, local authority and public sector employers
• Managed maintenance contractors providing workshop management to fleet operators
• Independent HGV and commercial vehicle workshop businesses
• Trailer hire and leasing businesses with in-house workshop operations
• Bus and coach fleet engineering departments - see also our bus and coach division
• Mobile workshop and field service operations requiring workshop management leadership

Roles We Place

• HGV Workshop Manager
• Commercial Vehicle Workshop Manager
• Heavy Vehicle Workshop Manager
• Fleet Workshop Manager (HGV)
• VMU Workshop Manager
• HGV Aftersales Manager (Workshop)
• Senior HGV Workshop Manager
• Interim HGV Workshop Manager

Who Can Apply

Strong HGV Workshop Manager candidates typically come from:

• Experienced HGV Workshop Managers at franchised truck dealerships, fleet VMUs or independent commercial vehicle workshops who want to move to a new employer, a larger operation or an improved package
• HGV Workshop Supervisors who have been managing daily workshop workflow, leading a small team and developing quality and productivity standards, and are ready to take on full Workshop Manager accountability including budget management, P&L reporting and customer or fleet operator relationship management
• Senior HGV Technicians or Master Technicians at franchised truck dealerships who have taken on informal team leadership, induction of new technicians and quality checking responsibilities and want a structured pathway into their first Workshop Manager appointment
• Fleet Technicians from VMU environments who have progressed into a supervising or team leader capacity, developed strong DVSA inspection compliance knowledge and want to step up into full Workshop Manager accountability
• Engineering Managers at bus and coach operators or heavy plant businesses who want to apply their workshop management skills in a truck dealership or HGV fleet maintenance environment
• Compliance Managers with a heavy vehicle fleet background who want to broaden from a compliance-focused role into full workshop operational management with P&L accountability

Technical credibility at HGV level is expected. Workshop Managers are assessed on their ability to manage technician productivity, DVSA compliance documentation, customer communication and workshop cost control simultaneously. Venatu confirms the workshop scale, fleet composition, diagnostic systems in use and reporting structure with each employer before presenting candidates.

HGV Workshop Manager Salary Guide

Franchised dealer Workshop Manager packages typically include a company vehicle or car allowance, pension contributions and a performance bonus linked to technician efficiency, labour sales and CSI targets. Fleet VMU and public sector roles typically offer enhanced pension alongside competitive base salaries. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on commercial vehicle workshop management remuneration.

What the Role Involves

Commercial and Workshop Performance:

• Managing the workshop's daily labour sales, technician efficiency, throughput and cost performance against agreed targets, reviewing KPIs daily and weekly and directing the HGV Workshop Supervisor and team to close any performance gaps
• Setting and reviewing monthly workshop targets in the context of the employer's overall commercial plan, reporting performance to the Fleet Manager, operations director or dealer principal as applicable
• Managing workshop costs including parts usage, sublet, consumables and overtime against budget, identifying cost reduction opportunities without compromising repair quality or turnaround time
• Managing warranty labour submission accuracy, warranty claims documentation quality and warranty recharge ratios where applicable in a franchised dealer context

DVSA Compliance and Inspection Management:

• Owning the workshop's DVSA maintenance programme compliance, ensuring no vehicle overruns its next safety inspection interval, that inspection documentation is accurate and audit-ready and that the workshop's DVSA Operator Compliance Risk Score is managed proactively
• Managing the workshop's AVE-qualified inspectors, overseeing inspection documentation quality and ensuring all prohibited vehicle decisions and defect rectification records are maintained correctly
• Coordinating annual test submissions, managing test failure rates, directing rectification work and building a workshop culture where vehicles are consistently presented in test-ready condition

Team Leadership and Development:

• Leading, developing and performance-managing the workshop team including HGV Workshop Supervisors, HGV Technicians, Trailer Technicians and apprentices through structured reviews and active development conversations
• Managing technician recruitment with the support of Venatu, inducting new team members into the workshop's processes and quality standards and managing ongoing manufacturer technical training nominations and attendance
• Maintaining workshop health and safety standards, conducting regular safety inspections of workshop equipment and lifting devices and ensuring LOLER, PUWER and COSHH compliance within the workshop environment

Customer and Operator Relationships:

• Managing communication with fleet customers, haulage operators and owner-drivers throughout the repair and maintenance process, providing clear and timely updates on vehicle status, repair scope and expected completion times
• Handling customer complaints escalated above the HGV Workshop Supervisor level, resolving them fairly and effectively to protect both the customer relationship and the business's commercial position
• Developing the workshop's customer base and contract maintenance portfolio where within the Workshop Manager's commercial remit

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the workshop scale, vehicle types maintained, diagnostic systems in use, team size and any specific DVSA compliance or manufacturer programme requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability and technical background and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for workshop P&L management, DVSA compliance knowledge, team leadership track record and technical credibility.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your workshop management experience, the scale and type of operation managed, team size led, any DVSA compliance or manufacturer programme context and your preferred geography.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your management level, preferred employer type and geography.
4. Venatu manages the process and advises on package expectations ahead of offer.

Browse current vacancies or create a job alert to be notified when relevant roles become available.

FAQ

What does an HGV Workshop Manager do? An HGV Workshop Manager leads the technical, commercial and operational performance of a heavy vehicle workshop. Responsibilities include managing technician productivity and labour sales performance, owning DVSA maintenance programme compliance, leading and developing the workshop team, managing workshop costs against budget, handling customer and fleet operator relationships and reporting workshop performance to the business's operations or commercial leadership.

What technical background does an HGV Workshop Manager need? Most employers expect the Workshop Manager to have a credible technical background in heavy vehicle maintenance, typically to at least Level 3 qualification standard, with hands-on experience that commands the respect of the workshop team and allows them to make sound technical judgements when reviewing diagnostic decisions, repair strategies and quality outcomes. The Workshop Manager does not need to be bench-working directly but must have sufficient technical depth to manage, assess and develop a team of experienced technicians effectively. Venatu confirms the technical background requirements with each employer before presenting candidates.

How is the HGV Workshop Manager role different from an HGV Workshop Supervisor? An HGV Workshop Supervisor manages the day-to-day workflow and bay allocation, carries out quality checks and provides technical guidance to the team, typically reporting to the Workshop Manager. The HGV Workshop Manager holds the full commercial, financial and strategic accountability for the workshop operation, manages the Supervisor and team, owns the P&L or budget, manages the DVSA compliance programme and manages customer and fleet operator relationships at a senior level. In smaller operations a single person may carry both functions.

What does an HGV Workshop Manager earn in the UK? Experienced HGV Workshop Managers at large fleet or dealer operations typically earn between £50,000 and £66,000. Senior Workshop Managers earn between £58,000 and £74,000. Public sector VMU roles typically sit between £44,000 and £58,000, often with enhanced pension. Interim day rates typically range from £350 to £550. Venatu benchmarks package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from HGV Workshop Manager? Common progression routes include Senior Workshop Manager, Head of Workshop Operations, Fleet Manager, Engineering Manager and Operations Director. Workshop Managers who develop strong commercial P&L management alongside their technical leadership and build a track record of DVSA compliance excellence and customer retention are in the strongest position for senior operations appointments. Read about career development in the HGV technical sector in Benefits Of Becoming A HGV/PSV Technician and how operational pressures are reshaping the commercial vehicle sector in How Rising Fuel Prices Are Impacting Automotive Recruitment In The UK.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your workshop management experience, team size, DVSA compliance background and any manufacturer or fleet programme context. Venatu will match you to current HGV Workshop Manager vacancies across franchised truck dealerships, fleet VMUs and managed maintenance providers, including roles not publicly advertised. Browse live vacancies or create a job alert.

Employers - Submit a vacancy or visit the client hub to discuss your HGV workshop management requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.