Job summary
- Main area
- Engineering
- Grade
- NHS AfC: Band 8b
- Contract
- Permanent
- Hours
- Full time - 37.5 hours per week (N/A)
- Job ref
- SCFS_SLT_25
- Employer
- South Central Fleet Services Ltd
- Employer type
- NHS
- Site
- Various Locations across the Trust region
- Town
- SOUTHAMPTON
- Salary
- £65,000 - £75,000 per year
- Salary period
- Yearly
- Closing
- 27/07/2025 23:59
Employer heading
Head of Fleet Operations
NHS AfC: Band 8b
Job overview
South Central Fleet Services Ltd is seeking a strategic and experienced leader to oversee the operational performance of four fleet workshops across the Trust. This pivotal role ensures the safe, efficient, and cost-effective maintenance of the NHS fleet, driving data-led improvements, supporting sustainability goals, and preparing for the transition to electric vehicles. The successful candidate will lead multi-site teams, manage budgets, optimise performance, and champion innovation in fleet operations.
Main duties of the job
-
Strategic & Operational Leadership:
Lead and standardise operations across four fleet workshops, ensuring safety, compliance, and efficiency. -
Fleet Maintenance & Compliance:
Oversee preventative maintenance schedules, ensure DVSA and NHS compliance, and implement predictive maintenance strategies. -
Data-Driven Decision-Making:
Utilise fleet management systems and analytics to optimise scheduling, reduce costs, and improve performance metrics. -
Performance Management:
Develop KPIs, benchmark workshop performance, and lead continuous improvement initiatives. -
Financial Oversight:
Manage workshop budgets, implement cost improvement plans, and negotiate supplier contracts to ensure value for money. -
Sustainability & EV Transition:
Support NHS Net Zero goals, plan for EV integration, and ensure infrastructure and workforce readiness. -
People & Resource Management:
Lead and develop a multi-site team, conduct performance reviews, manage staffing, and promote a culture of accountability and inclusion.
Working for our organisation
Benefits we offer:
- Full training and support when you join and ongoing throughout your employment with us.
- Enrolment into a Pension Scheme.
- Occupational Health support along with an Employee Assistance Programme.
- Staff networking and support groups.
In South Central Fleet Services, we know that colleagues who are cared for and valued are enabled to provide the right care, first time, every time. That is why we strive to foster a culture that balances fairness, compassion, learning and accountability; a ‘just and learning culture’.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Strategic & Operational Leadership
- Provide strategic oversight and leadership across four geographically dispersed workshops.
- Standardise and enforce SOPs and SSOW to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency.
- Lead Trust-wide initiatives to enhance workshop performance and service delivery.
2. Fleet Maintenance & Compliance
- Oversee preventative maintenance schedules to maximise vehicle uptime and reduce reactive repairs.
- Ensure compliance with DVSA, NHS, and Trust-specific fleet standards.
- Implement a Preventative Maintenance Matrix to enable predictive interventions and cost savings.
3. Data Management & Decision-Making
- Lead the use of fleet management systems and analytics tools.
- Develop dashboards and reports to inform strategic decisions and resource allocation.
- Use data insights to optimise scheduling, reduce costs, and improve turnaround times.
4. Performance Management & Benchmarking
- Develop a Trust-wide performance matrix to benchmark workshop output and efficiency.
- Monitor KPIs such as vehicle availability, technician productivity, and maintenance compliance.
- Lead performance reviews and implement improvement plans for underperforming sites.
5. Financial & Budgetary Control
- Manage budgets for all workshops, ensuring alignment with Trust financial governance.
- Develop and implement Cost Improvement Plans (CIPs).
- Analyse cost drivers and negotiate SLAs with suppliers.
- Monitor expenditure and identify cost-saving opportunities through smarter procurement and process optimisation.
6. Sustainability & NHS Net Zero
- Support the Trust’s contribution to NHS Net Zero by reducing fleet emissions.
- Plan for the integration of electric and low-emission vehicles.
- Collaborate with Estates and IT to ensure EV infrastructure readiness.
7. EV Transition Planning
- Develop and implement a roadmap for EV adoption.
- Assess workshop readiness for EV servicing, including tooling and technician training.
- Liaise with manufacturers and suppliers to stay ahead of EV maintenance requirements.
8. People & Resource Management
- Lead and develop a multi-site team of managers, technicians, and support staff.
- Ensure adequate staffing through effective workforce planning.
- Conduct performance reviews and promote a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
- Develop a Trust-wide Training Needs Analysis (TNA) and individual development plans.
- Ensure consistent application of HR policies and champion diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Person specification
Job related
Essential criteria
- Experience in a similar high profile role
- Engineering Qualification or similar
- Strong Management, leadership, and technical Knowledge
- Proven experience of multi-site vehicle maintenance management
- Strong planning and financial knowledge
Desirable criteria
- Membership of a related professional body
- Electric Vehicle maintenance or sustainability qualification
- Advanced data Analysis
Employer certification / accreditation badges
Applicant requirements
You must have appropriate UK professional registration.
This post will require a submission for Disclosure to be made to check for any unspent criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Dr Jason V. Watson
- Job title
- Assistant Director of Fleet and Operation
- Email address
- [email protected]
- Telephone number
- 079716 14944
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