Workshop Foreman

Job Advert Summary

To oversee and coordinate the day-to-day operational activities of the workshop and fleet maintenance function, ensuring that work is carried out safely, efficiently, within agreed timelines, and to required quality and cost standards. The role provides effective supervision, leadership, and technical oversight to skilled and semi-skilled artisans while ensuring optimal fleet availability and compliance with SHEQ requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Workshop and Fleet Operations

• Plan, schedule, and allocate work to workshop personnel in line with operational priorities and fleet availability requirements.
• Oversee and implement the fleet maintenance programme to ensure optimal vehicle uptime and compliance with maintenance standards.
• Attend to mechanical and operational breakdowns and ensure timely repairs to minimise downtime.
• Develop, implement, and monitor preventive and planned maintenance schedules for vehicles and equipment.
• Monitor job progress, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to reduce delays and inefficiencies.
• Ensure effective utilisation of labour, tools, equipment, and workshop resources.
• Oversee Wearcheck programe and oversee wearchek results implemantation and feedback.
• Oversee Tyre Management programe (Budini) and ensuring optimum utilazation and cost effective use of tyres without compromising safety.

Supervision and People Management

• Lead, manage, and motivate a shift or team of skilled and semi-skilled artisans and support staff.
• Allocate tasks based on skill levels, experience, and operational workload requirements.
• Manage team performance against operational, safety, and quality targets.
• Provide on-the-job training, coaching, and mentoring to enhance technical skills and productivity.
• Participate in performance management, discipline, and grievance processes in accordance with company policies and labour legislation.

Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)

• Ensure the successful implementation, monitoring, and management of all SHEQ procedures within the workshop.
• Enforce compliance with occupational health, safety, and environmental legislation, policies, and standard operating procedures.
• Conduct regular toolbox talks, safety meetings, and workplace inspections.
• Ensure machinery, tools, vehicles, and equipment are operated safely and maintained to statutory and company standards.
• Report, investigate, and implement corrective actions relating to incidents, accidents, and near misses.

Quality Control

• Inspect completed maintenance and repair work to ensure compliance with specifications, quality standards, and workmanship requirements.
• Address quality defects or rework issues promptly and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote continuous improvement, standardisation, and adherence to SOPs within the workshop and fleet operations.

Stock, Cost and Asset Management

• Manage stock levels of spare parts, consumables, and workshop supplies to ensure availability of critical spares.
• Oversee the purchase requisitions and replacement of parts, tools, and equipment in line with operational needs and budget constraints.
• Monitor and control vehicle and fleet maintenance costs to acceptable and approved levels.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising safety, quality, or compliance.

Administrative and Reporting Duties

• Ensure accurate completion and submission of job cards, work orders, breakdown reports, and time records.
• Maintain maintenance histories and records for fleet and workshop assets.
• Compile and submit operational, cost, and performance reports as required.
• Maintain accurate, orderly, and compliant workshop and fleet documentation.
• Track fleet availability, breakdown trends.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Liaise with internal departments, suppliers, service providers, and contractors to support workshop and fleet operations.
• Provide technical advice and operational feedback to management.
• Ensure effective communication between workshop teams, fleet users, and management.

Qualifications

• Qualified artisan / trade certification (Mechanical, Electrical, Automotive, Millwright, or equivalent)
• Supervisory or management qualification (advantageous)

Experience

• Minimum of 5–8 years’ relevant technical experience in a workshop or fleet maintenance environment
• At least 2–3 years’ experience in a supervisory or foreman role

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong technical expertise in vehicle, plant, or equipment maintenance
• Sound fault-finding and breakdown management capabilities
• Knowledge of fleet maintenance systems, workshop processes, and safety standards
• Planning, scheduling, cost control, and stock management skills
• People management and leadership capability
• Computer literacy (CMMS/job cards, reporting systems, MS Office)

Competencies

• Leadership and team facilitation
• Problem-solving and sound decision-making
• Cost awareness and accountability
• Attention to detail and quality orientation
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Ability to work under pressure and manage priorities
  Strong commitment to SHEQ and continuous improvement