Job Description – Octane Recruitment – Automotive Recruitment

Posted: 25/06/2026

Job Ref: 30937

Workshop Controller - Watford

Location: Watford

Salary: £36,000 - £50,000

Sector: Workshop

Contract Type: Permanent

Reference: 30937

Job Description

Job Brief Doc
Client & Location	Group 1 BMW Watford
Vacancy/Job Title	Workshop Controller
Hiring Manager & Decision Maker inc engagement score ?/5	David Bain 3/5 – Hit and miss with David
Salary & Benefits	 £36,000 Basic Salary  £50,000 OTE  33 Days Holiday including Bank Holidays  Company Pension  Life Assurance  Employee Retail Discounts  Vehicle Purchase & Servicing Discounts  Cycle to Work Scheme  Family Friendly Policies  Share Purchase Plan  24/7 Healthcare Support  Paid Volunteer Day  Referral Bonus Scheme  Ongoing Manufacturer Training  Excellent Career Progression  Flexible Working Opportunities
General duties & responsibilities (need job description in BH)	 Manage the day-to-day running of the workshop.  Allocate work efficiently across the technician team.  Maximise workshop productivity and technician efficiency.  Support the Service Manager with the smooth running of the department.  Monitor technician performance against productivity targets.  Ensure repairs are completed to manufacturer standards.  Liaise between Service Advisors, Technicians and Workshop staff.  Deliver excellent levels of customer satisfaction.  Help achieve departmental profitability and customer retention targets.  Maintain high standards of health & safety and workshop organisation.
Driving Licence requirements	Must Have
Top 3 hiring criteria	1. Must have previous Workshop Controller experience or strong Senior Service Advisor who is ready to step up. 2. Strong leadership skills and proven ability to manage a large workshop / team. 3.Main dealer experience due to the fast paced nature of the role.
Selling points for candidates	 Join one of the UK's largest automotive retail groups.  Excellent long-term career progression opportunities.  Ongoing manufacturer and leadership training.  Large, well-established prestige dealership.  Manage a sizeable workshop with experienced technicians.  Excellent employee benefits package.  Stable business with genuine opportunities for advancement.
Team/dept set up	 16 Vehicle Technicians  4 Apprentices  Reporting into the Aftersales Management Team.  Working alongside the Service Advisors and Service Manager.
Hiring Manager perceived challenges/Octane challenges	 Finding candidates with genuine Workshop Controller experience.  May also consider exceptional Service Advisors looking to progress.  Strong leadership ability is more important than length of management experience.  Candidate must be able to lead, organise and maximise workshop productivity.
Reason for vacancy	Someone has left and needs to replace.
How long has the vacancy been live? Timescales/urgency	1 Day – looking to move quickly for the right candidate
Anyone in process/what stage of process? Internal applicants? Other agencies? Is the client working the vacancy?	No one in process currently. They do use other agencies.
Training and progression / personal development	 Internal progression opportunities across the wider group.  Manufacturer training.  Leadership development.  Opportunity to progress into senior Aftersales Management positions.
Process & timescales	 CV Review  First Interview  Potential Final Interview (if required)  Looking to recruit as soon as the right candidate is identified.
Anything else?	Working Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm Saturdays as required by the business.
Job grade A, B or C and why	Grade B – Reason being although the vacancy is urgent the hiring manager is very hit and miss. Also lack of candidates in the area for this role making it a harder fill.