A workshop controller is responsible for ensuring all work to vehicles in their garage (usually within a dealership) is carried out appropriately. This involves assigning work to vehicle technicians. The workshop controller will also liaise with service departments within a dealership, for example, and will be on hand to answer queries from other departments regarding repairs, maintenance etc.
What does a workshop controller do?
Reporting to the service manager, key objectives a workshop controller will have in their role includes ensuring quality control, parts are correctly ordered, conducting audits on the team’s work and general compliance. There will also be a focus on ensuring the correct health and safety standards/procedures.
Other job responsibilities will include:
- Customer service
- Generating profit for the dealership
- Managing and coaching a team of vehicle technicians and apprentices, making sure targets and business objectives are met
- Working with colleagues and other departments to ensure a seamless service for customers
- Scheduling work to meet customer needs, taking into account workshop targets, the complexity of each job and the availability of parts
- Providing estimates for servicing and repairs and setting timescales
- Accurately recording technician time and writing technical reports and recommendations.
- Assisting technicians with technical challenges to identify solutions
- Ordering correct parts for vehicles
- Ensuring warranty standards are adhered to
- Liaising with other departments with regards to parts and any other queries as the workshop representative
- Making sure all servicing work is carried out correctly, competently and on time, with customer satisfaction in mind
- Ensuring that all work complies with DVSA, health and safety and manufacturer policy, as well as company standards
What key skills should a workshop controller have?
You will thrive in a workshop controller role if you have the following:
- Previous experience within the automotive industry, particularly workshop control or technician
- Organisational skills
- Strong IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal skills
- Problem solving and decision making
- Ability to communicate well with customers and colleagues across different departments, both face-to-face and via email
- Motivated and able to motivate others
- Leadership and ability to delegate
- Ability to work under pressure
What qualifications will I need to be a workshop controller?
To be a workshop controller, you should have a full UK driving licence, experience in a dealership, and strong IT skills (qualifications will come in very handy here). Ideally you will have experience of working as a fully qualified technician (level 3 preferred).
Evidence of ‘Right to Work in the UK’ will also be necessary, and any leadership/management training or qualifications which can be proved will also bode well for applicants.
How much does a workshop controller earn?
Starting salary: £20,000 – £23,000
Average salary According to InAutomotive 2019 data): £33,707.13
Experienced salary: £40,000
