Technical Manager

Job Advert Summary

The Technical Manager is responsible for ensuring that standards relating to the maintenance, repair, and operational readiness of a fleet of heavy-duty trucks across multiple workshop locations are maintained in line with Unitrans Asset Management standards.

• Drives continuous improvement initiatives to optimize vehicle performance and cost efficiency.
• Ensures compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory standards.
• Leads technical teams, contributes to fleet lifecycle planning, and ensures workshop equipment and facilities meet high-quality standards.
• Play a key role in fleet design for tenders and customer-specific requirements.
• Ensures business intelligence, data management, and KPI reporting (including weekly flash VM reports) are aligned with business unit goals.
• Leads the implementation of the pockets of excellence program across workshops.

Workshop Operations Management
• Ensure that KPIs are measured and reported daily across all workshops within the Business Unit, aligned with contract parameters.
• Monitor and ensure technician productivity and efficiency aligns with company standards.
• Ensure all workshop standards, policies, and procedures are communicated, understood, and implemented in line with Unitrans Asset Management standards.
• Ensure systems are implemented to enable efficient scheduling of maintenance and repairs to minimize downtime.
• Monitor workshop performance and implement improvements through detailed performance analysis.

Fleet Maintenance & Technical Oversight
• Ensure Failure Mode Effect Analysis (FMEA) programs and standards are implemented across all workshops.
• Identify critical spare parts as part of a risk management strategy, balancing availability with working capital targets.
• Develop, monitor, and improve preventative maintenance schedules for all heavy-duty vehicles.
• Ensure timely diagnosis and repair of mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues by monitoring exceptions from KPI dashboards.
• Review service logs and analyze recurring issues to drive corrective action.
• Implement an audit program to ensure OEM (OE) and internal standards are maintained across vehicles, equipment, and workshops — with unit standard criteria defined.

Compliance & Safety
• Ensure vehicles meet local, national, and international roadworthiness and environmental standards via compliance monitoring.
• Ensure such compliance is embedded into workshop policies and procedures.
• Enforce health and safety regulations within all workshop locations.
• Maintain accurate records for internal and external audits and inspections.

Staff Management & Training
• Ensure that at least one workshop is developed into an accredited Artisan Training Center to develop current and future artisans.
• Lead, mentor, and develop workshop supervisors, technicians, and support staff.
• Identify training needs and implement targeted technical upskilling programs.
• Evaluate staff performance and support disciplinary procedures where necessary.

Budgeting & Cost Control
• Monitor and control regional workshop budgets, focusing on reducing Repair & Maintenance (R&M) CPK through efficient practices.
• Oversee spare parts inventory and procurement to ensure cost-effective operations.
• Approve major repairs and negotiate with external vendors when needed.

Strategic Planning & Reporting
• Collaborate with senior management on long-term fleet strategy and equipment replacement plans.
• Provide regular KPI reports on metrics such as vehicle uptime, maintenance costs, and repair turnaround time.
• Support the selection and implementation of fleet management systems and tools.
• Ensure that weekly flash VM information is submitted accurately and timeously.

Driving Technical Excellence
• Ensure that Group Technical Objectives are clearly communicated across all sites.
• Implement actions that align workshop performance with these objectives.
• Ensure that the Pockets of Excellence program is actively driven and embedded within all workshops and technical departments to promote innovation and continuous improvement.

Skills and Qualifications
• Master’s Degree or BSc Engineering.
• 4–8 years’ experience in workshop management.
• In-depth knowledge of heavy-duty truck systems (engine, transmission, suspension, braking, electronics).
• Proven ability to lead and manage technical teams, including high-level technicians and specialists.
• Strong knowledge of health and safety, road transport legislation, and compliance frameworks.
• Experience with Lean Maintenance, FMEA, and continuous improvement methodologies.

Key Competencies
• Leadership & People Management
• Strategic Thinking & Planning
• Problem-Solving & Decision Making
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Organizational & Time Management
• Technical Aptitude & Innovation Orientation

Required qualification: Masters Diploma / NQF level 8

Years of experience: Up to 8 years in a similar role