Workshop Manager Motorbike and Boat Dealership Reference: 1014 | Location: Sandton | Salary: R40 000 CTC

Introduction

Position Overview

Lead the dealership’s motorcycle and marine service workshop, taking accountability for performance, operational efficiency, service growth and reporting. Coordinate technicians, workshop capacity, parts availability and customer communication to deliver quality servicing and repairs, reliable turnaround times and a profitable service operation.

Maintain high standards of honest and ethical workmanship, support customer retention and represent the dealership and its brands professionally.

Minimum Requirements

• Grade 12 or equivalent.

• Computer literacy, including workshop administration, job cards, reporting and diagnostic systems.

• At least five years of cross-functional experience relevant to workshop, service or technical operations, including at least three years of customer interaction.

• Sound understanding of servicing, fault-finding and repair procedures for motorcycles and marine engines, supported by the ability to interpret manufacturer manuals and technical instructions.

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• A relevant motorcycle, marine or mechanical trade qualification and manufacturer product training.

• Previous workshop supervision or management within a motorcycle, boat or related dealership.

• Experience with warranty processes, service costing, technician productivity and workshop performance reporting.

Key Competencies and Personal Attributes

Strong verbal and written communication; practical problem-solving; customer service; planning and prioritisation; attention to detail; initiative; persuasive communication; team leadership; discretion with confidential information; and professional brand representation.

Key Responsibilities

Workshop Planning and Service Delivery

• Manage daily workshop operations and allocate service, repair, diagnostic and preparation work according to technician capability, available capacity and promised completion dates.

• Plan bookings, labour requirements and parts availability; monitor work in progress and resolve delays affecting turnaround times.

• Coordinate the movement and safe custody of motorcycles, boats, trailers, engines and customer equipment within the service operation.

• Maintain complete job cards with customer concerns, authorised work, technician findings, labour time, parts used and completion details.

• Coordinate pre-delivery inspections and preparation of motorcycles, boats and engines, where included in the dealership’s service offering.

Technical Standards and Quality Control

• Oversee servicing, maintenance, fault-finding and repairs on motorcycles, boats and marine engines across the brands represented by the dealership.

• Use approved diagnostic equipment, manufacturer manuals, service schedules and techniques acquired through recognised product training.

• Provide technical guidance and assist with complex faults, escalating specialist repairs or manufacturer support requirements when necessary.

• Ensure work follows manufacturer specifications and applicable warranty requirements; oversee service campaigns and technical updates where relevant.

• Inspect completed work and confirm required operational checks before customer handover. Arrange road tests, controlled engine tests or water trials only where appropriate and through suitably authorised personnel.

• Investigate repeat repairs and comebacks, identify their causes and implement corrective action to improve first-time repair quality.

Team Management and Development

• Supervise technicians, apprentices and workshop support staff; set clear standards for workmanship, conduct, productivity and customer care.

• Monitor workload, attendance and performance; provide practical coaching and arrange product, diagnostic and safety training.

• Hold regular workshop briefings and encourage clear communication between the workshop, service reception, parts and sales teams.

Customer Service and Brand Representation

• Ensure customers receive clear explanations of diagnostic findings, recommended repairs, quotations and expected completion dates.

• Obtain approval before additional work or costs are incurred and provide progress updates when timelines change.

• Resolve service complaints professionally, maintain ethical workmanship and build lasting customer relationships.

• Identify genuine servicing and maintenance needs and communicate recommendations transparently to support service sales and customer retention.

Financial Control and Reporting

• Drive service-department growth and monitor labour sales, labour utilisation, productivity, job profitability and workshop expenses.

• Check quotations, job costing and completed job cards for accuracy before invoicing; follow up on completed work awaiting collection or administrative closure.

• Coordinate parts ordering, returns and warranty documentation with the relevant departments; control workshop consumables and reduce avoidable waste.

• Report on workshop performance, work in progress, outstanding jobs, customer concerns, repeat repairs and improvement actions.

Safety and Workshop Housekeeping

• Maintain a clean, organised workshop and enforce safe working practices, use of protective equipment and manufacturer safety instructions.

• Ensure safe lifting, support and movement of motorcycles, boats, trailers and engines; check that workshop tools and equipment are maintained and fit for use.

• Control risks associated with fuel, oils, batteries, electrical systems, hot surfaces, engine testing and exhaust ventilation.

• Arrange safe storage and appropriate handling of waste oils, batteries, chemicals and other workshop waste. Protect customer property and report hazards or incidents promptly.

• Quality workmanship and first-time repair performance.

• Completion of jobs within agreed turnaround times.

• Customer satisfaction, retention and complaint resolution.

• Technician productivity, labour utilisation and service-department profitability.

• Accurate job cards, costing, warranty documentation and reporting.

• Safe working practices, good housekeeping and effective team development.