Garage Manager, workshop controller

We are seeking a skilled, reliable, and leadership-ready HGV garage Supervisor to oversee our heavy commercial vehicle maintenance operation. This is a dynamic, split-responsibility role designed for an experienced HGV technician who wants to balance workshop floor leadership with operational management. You will spend 75% of your time on the workshop floor providing hands-on diagnostic and repair expertise, and 25% of your time in the office managing compliance, scheduling, parts ordering, and driver communications.

Key Responsibilities, Workshop Leadership & HGV Maintenance (75% of time)

Hands-on Execution: Diagnose, service, and repair a diverse fleet of HGVs, trailers, and associated equipment.

Supervise Mechanics: Allocate daily repair jobs to the team of technicians, monitoring progress to ensure minimal vehicle downtime.

Compliance & Inspections: Perform and oversee statutory safety inspections, ensure all work meets strict RSA/CVRT compliance standards.

Quality Control: Check and sign off on completed jobs, ensuring all heavy vehicles are safe and roadworthy before returning to service.

Team Mentorship: Provide technical guidance, troubleshooting help, and safety coaching to mechanics and apprentices.

Office Management & Fleet Operations (25% of time)

Planning & Scheduling: Organize preventive maintenance inspections (PMIs), servicing schedules, and test bookings to optimize fleet availability.

Parts Procurement: Source, order, and manage inventory for specialized HGV parts, ensuring cost-efficiency and minimal lead times.

Driver & Transport Relations: Act as the primary liaison for HGV drivers and transport planners, communicating turnaround times and managing breakdown responses.

Record Keeping: Maintain meticulous maintenance folders, defect logs, job cards, and digital compliance platforms.

Requirements & Qualifications

Experience: Proven experience as a Senior HGV Mechanic, Workshop Foreman.

Technical Qualifications: Level 3 NVQ / City & Guilds (or equivalent) in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair.

Regulatory Knowledge: Deep understanding of commercial fleet compliance, tachograph regulations, and transport safety standards.

Leadership Ability: Natural capability to lead, motivate, and coordinate a team of heavy vehicle technicians.

Communication & Admin: Strong organizational skills with basic computer literacy for scheduling software and parts ordering.

Driving License: A clean Class 1 (Category C+E) or Class 2 (Category C) license is highly preferred

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: €62,000.00-€74,000.00 per year

Application question(s)

This role is based in Tralee Co. Kerry.

Experience

HGV mechanical: 2 years (required)

Computer diagnostics: 1 year (required)

Language

Fluent English (required)

Licence/Certification

full driving licence (preferred)

Work authorisation

* Ireland (required)

Work Location: In person