Operations Manager Jobs

The Operations Manager in an automotive business is the daily operational leader responsible for the performance, compliance and customer experience of the site or function they manage. Whether running the aftersales and workshop operation of a franchised dealership, managing the logistics and transport function of a fleet or distribution business, overseeing the engineering and operational compliance of a commercial vehicle or bus fleet, or managing the multi-function operation of an automotive parts or technology business, the Operations Manager is the person who translates the business's commercial targets into daily operational delivery.

The role sits below the Operations Director in the leadership hierarchy and above the functional team leaders and supervisors who manage specific departments within the operation. In a well-structured automotive business the Operations Manager owns the day-to-day: workflow allocation, throughput management, team performance, customer communication, compliance and cost control at operational level. In many smaller and mid-size businesses the Operations Manager also contributes to commercial strategy, covers a broader functional scope and operates with a degree of autonomy that makes the role equivalent in practice to the Operations Director title used at larger businesses.

Venatu recruits Operations Managers for permanent and contract roles across franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships, fleet and logistics operators, commercial vehicle and bus fleet businesses, automotive aftermarket and parts businesses and automotive technology companies throughout the UK. This role sits across our car dealership, truck and van, bus and coach and operational support recruitment divisions.

Who We Recruit For

We place candidates with:

• Franchised car and commercial vehicle dealerships with service and aftersales operations
• Fleet management, contract hire and salary sacrifice businesses
• Logistics, 3PL and distribution businesses with vehicle maintenance and transport operations
• Bus and coach operating companies
• HGV and commercial vehicle fleet operators
• Automotive aftermarket, parts distribution and accessory businesses
• Automotive technology, telematics and fleet management software businesses
• Fast fit, tyre and autocentre chains with multi-site or area operations

Roles We Place

• Operations Manager (Automotive)
• Operations Manager (Dealership Aftersales)
• Operations Manager (Fleet and Logistics)
• Operations Manager (Commercial Vehicle)
• Operations Manager (Bus and Coach)
• Transport Operations Manager (Automotive)
• Area Operations Manager (Automotive)
• Interim Operations Manager (Automotive)

Who Can Apply

Strong Operations Manager candidates in automotive typically come from:

• Experienced Operations Managers at automotive businesses who want to move to a new employer, a larger or more complex operation, a different sector niche or an improved package
• Workshop Managers at franchised dealerships or commercial vehicle workshops who have been managing the full workshop P&L, leading a team of supervisors and technicians and managing customer and fleet relationships, and are ready to step into a broader Operations Manager role that encompasses aftersales, parts, service reception and workflow management across the full site operation
• Fleet Managers at logistics or fleet operator businesses who have been managing vehicle availability, compliance, maintenance planning and driver interface, and want to step into an Operations Manager role with broader operational scope encompassing transport planning, cost management and multi-team leadership
• Depot Managers at logistics or bus businesses who have been managing a depot's full operational function including vehicle scheduling, driver management, compliance and maintenance, and want to formalise that multi-function accountability into an Operations Manager appointment at a larger or more commercially demanding operation
• Head of Aftersales professionals at franchised dealerships who want to move into a full Operations Manager role with scope beyond the aftersales function, encompassing the vehicle preparation, logistics and operational support functions of a larger dealer site or group operation
• Engineering Managers at bus, coach or HGV operators who have been managing the engineering, compliance and maintenance function and want to step into a full operational management role with transport, driver and commercial performance accountability alongside engineering
• Commercial operations managers from retail, logistics or facilities management sectors who have managed site-level or regional operations at measurable commercial scale and want to apply their operational management skills in the automotive sector

Strong candidates must demonstrate measurable operational performance improvement in a previous management role, the ability to manage multi-disciplinary teams, financial literacy at budget ownership level and a clear understanding of the regulatory environment relevant to the employer's operational context. Venatu confirms the specific operational scope, team structure and key accountability areas with each employer before presenting candidates.

Operations Manager Salary Guide

Packages typically include a company car or car allowance, pension and an annual performance bonus linked to operational KPIs including throughput, efficiency, cost per unit and customer satisfaction scores. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search. Visit the HR Hub for broader context on automotive operations management role remuneration. Read about how operational collaboration drives commercial results in Cross-Division Collaboration Delivers National Temporary Recruitment Success.

What the Role Involves

Day-to-Day Operational Performance:

• Managing the daily workflow across the operation's departments, allocating resource, resolving bottlenecks, adjusting priorities as the day develops and ensuring every customer commitment and fleet delivery target is met within the constraints of the available capacity
• Monitoring operational KPIs including workshop labour efficiency, vehicle turnaround time, customer satisfaction scores, fleet availability, on-time delivery rates and cost per unit on a daily and weekly basis, identifying variances from target and directing department managers and supervisors to address them promptly
• Holding regular structured performance reviews with department managers and supervisors, providing clear, specific feedback and setting improvement targets aligned to the business's operational plan
• Managing the daily operational staffing plan, covering absences, managing overtime decisions within budget authority and escalating structural capacity issues to the Operations Director or business leader for resolution

Commercial and Financial Management:

• Managing the operational cost base within the agreed budget, monitoring labour cost, parts and consumables spend, sublet and third-party costs against forecast and identifying overspend risk early enough to take corrective action within the period
• Contributing to the monthly operational performance report for the business leadership team, providing accurate commentary on performance versus target, explaining any significant variances and presenting a clear forward outlook for the remainder of the period
• Supporting the Operations Director or business leader in the annual budgeting process, providing detailed bottom-up input on staffing costs, maintenance capital requirements and operational capacity planning

Compliance and Safety:

• Managing the operation's DVSA compliance framework where the business holds an operator's licence, ensuring vehicle inspection and maintenance intervals are adhered to, documentation is complete and accurate and the business's risk score is managed proactively
• Holding Health and Safety management accountability for the operational areas, conducting regular risk assessments, managing incident reporting and investigation, maintaining equipment safety records and ensuring all team members operate within the business's safe working practices
• Managing the operation's environmental, waste and regulatory compliance obligations relevant to the sector and site activity

Customer and Stakeholder Management:

• Managing customer relationships at operational level, communicating vehicle or delivery status proactively, resolving complaints that cannot be resolved at department manager level and building long-term confidence in the business's operational reliability
• Liaising with the sales, account management and customer service functions to ensure operational commitments made commercially are executable and that any constraining factors are communicated promptly rather than discovered at the point of failure
• Managing supplier and contractor relationships at operational level including maintenance subcontractors, parts and consumables suppliers, waste management partners and technology platform providers

How the Process Works

For employers:

1. Submit a vacancy with the operational scope, team structure, reporting line, key KPIs and any sector-specific compliance or qualification requirements.
2. We confirm candidate availability, operational background and relevant sector experience and present a pre-screened shortlist within five working days.
3. Candidates are assessed for operational management track record, team leadership depth, financial management competency and sector or adjacent sector experience.
4. Interview and offer supported by Venatu throughout.

For candidates:

1. Register your CV with your operational management background, the scale of operation managed, team size, sector and any automotive or fleet experience.
2. A Venatu consultant will review your background and contact you directly.
3. Roles are matched to your management level, sector experience 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 Operations Manager do in an automotive business? An automotive Operations Manager is responsible for the daily operational performance of the site or function they manage, covering workflow and throughput management, team performance and development, customer delivery and service quality, operational cost control within the agreed budget and compliance management for regulatory obligations relevant to the business's sector. They typically manage a team of department managers or supervisors and report to a General Manager, Operations Director or business owner depending on the organisation's size and structure.

What is the difference between an Operations Manager and an Operations Director in automotive? An Operations Manager manages the day-to-day operational delivery and performance of a site or function, typically at a single location and reporting to a more senior leader. An Operations Director holds the strategic, commercial and executive accountability for the entire operational function across the business, typically at multi-site or group level, carries a full operational P&L and represents operational performance at board or investor level. In smaller businesses the distinction between the two titles is less clearly defined and a single manager may carry aspects of both roles.

Can someone from outside automotive become an Operations Manager in the sector? Yes. Strong Operations Managers from logistics, retail distribution, facilities management, rail or utilities businesses regularly make successful transitions into automotive operations management roles. The core operational management skills - workflow planning, team performance management, financial management and customer relationship management - are directly transferable. Automotive sector-specific knowledge of DVSA compliance, workshop productivity metrics or fleet availability standards is developed on the job. Venatu advises candidates from non-automotive backgrounds on how to position their operational track record for automotive Operations Manager roles.

What does an automotive Operations Manager earn in the UK? Operations Managers at dealership aftersales and workshop operations typically earn between £46,000 and £64,000. Fleet and logistics Operations Managers earn between £48,000 and £68,000. Commercial vehicle and bus operations managers earn between £50,000 and £70,000. Area and multi-site Operations Managers earn between £55,000 and £75,000. Interim day rates typically range from £400 to £650. Packages include car allowance and performance bonus. Venatu benchmarks total package expectations with each employer before beginning a search.

What is the progression from Operations Manager in automotive? Common progression routes include Senior Operations Manager, Area Operations Manager, Operations Director and General Manager. Operations Managers who develop strong commercial P&L management, a track record of measurable operational improvement across multiple functions and the team leadership depth to manage a more complex multi-site operation are in the strongest position for Director-level appointments. For Director and executive-level appointments, visit the Operations Director page and Venatu Executive. Read about how operational leadership drives commercial performance in Cross-Division Collaboration Delivers National Temporary Recruitment Success and how fuel and cost pressures are shaping operational decisions in How Rising Fuel Prices Are Impacting Automotive Recruitment In The UK.

Register or Enquire

Candidates - Register your CV with your operational management background, operation scale and sector, team size and any automotive or fleet experience. Venatu will match you to current Operations Manager vacancies across franchised dealerships, fleet operators and commercial vehicle businesses, 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 Operations Manager requirements. Our team will respond within one working day.