General Manager – Bodyshop Garage
Location: UK
Salary: Competitive
Hours: Full-time, permanent
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced General Manager to take full operational and commercial responsibility for a busy automotive bodyshop. This is a senior leadership role with full P&L accountability, responsible for driving productivity, profitability, quality, and customer satisfaction.
This role suits someone who understands that a bodyshop is a business first, not just a workshop.
Key Responsibilities
Operations & Performance
* Oversee all daily bodyshop operations including estimating, production, paint, panel, prep, admin, and customer service
* Manage workshop flow, capacity, cycle time, and delivery performance
* Ensure all repairs meet insurer, OEM, and legal standards
* Drive efficiency, reduce rework, and improve first-time-right repairs
Financial & Commercial Control
* Full ownership of P&L, budgets, forecasting, and cost control
* Monitor labour efficiency, parts margins, materials usage, and overheads
* Deliver revenue growth while protecting margins
* Produce regular performance and KPI reports
People Leadership
* Lead, manage, and develop the full site team
* Recruit, train, and retain skilled staff
* Set clear targets, hold people accountable, and manage performance
* Build a high-performance, safety-first culture
Customer & Stakeholder Management
* Deliver excellent customer experience end to end
* Manage insurer, fleet, supplier, and audit relationships
* Handle escalated customer complaints professionally
* Represent the business with insurers and partners
Compliance & Standards
* Ensure compliance with HSE, environmental, insurer, and manufacturer requirements
* Maintain audit readiness at all times
* Ensure systems, documentation, and processes are followed correctly
Skills & Experience Required
* Proven experience as a General Manager, Bodyshop Manager, or Senior Automotive Manager
* Strong knowledge of UK bodyshop operations and insurance processes
* Commercially astute with strong financial understanding
* Confident people leader with a hands-on approach
* Excellent organisational and communication skills
What We Offer
* Competitive salary + performance-related bonus
* Autonomy to run the business properly
* Stable, long-term opportunity
* Supportive senior leadership with clear expectations
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