Vehicle Preparation Manager Vacancy – Derbyshire
1. Salary Range: £50,000 – £100,000 OTE per annum (Depending on experience)
2. Company Car included
3. Job Type: Full-time, Permanent
Our client is a long-established, family-run high volume dealership with over 50 years of trading history and now operating into its third generation. The business is forward-thinking, performance-driven, and continues to invest heavily in people, processes, and facilities.
Their targets are circa 2,000 cars prepped in their workshop and bodyshop to be sold per annum across multiple sites. This operation needs someone with experience in high-volume dealership. If this is something you have experience with, you should apply, or get in touch with Perfect Placement for more information.
This is a hands-on, shop-floor–based leadership role, focused on control, pace, and performance. While you will not be directly involved in the mechanical and cosmetic repairs, you will need to have experience leading in a workshop environment
The Role: You will be responsible for managing all vehicle preparation activity, ensuring workshop output, efficiency, and quality standards are consistently achieved.
Key Responsibilities as a Vehicle Preparation Manager:
4. Full operational ownership of vehicle preparation across two workshop locations
5. Driving daily workshop throughput and preparation targets
6. Direct line management of technicians, setting expectations and managing performance
7. Allocating and prioritising work to maximise ramp utilisation
8. Actively managing workflow, bottlenecks, and idle time
9. Monitoring quality standards, first-time pass rates, and rework levels
10. Maintaining strong on-the-floor presence to lead, direct, and motivate technicians
11. Ensuring processes, standards, and timelines are consistently met
12. Coordinating closely with Parts and Rectification teams to maintain vehicle flow
13. Briefing and supporting late-shift technicians to ensure continuity of output
14. Tracking KPIs including productivity, efficiency, utilisation, and quality
15. Driving continuous improvement across people, process, and performance
Requirements as a Vehicle Preparation Manager:
16. Proven experience in a senior technician, team leader, or workshop management role
17. Strong understanding of PDI operations, vehicle prep flow, and workshop dynamics
18. Confident leadership style with the ability to motivate and challenge technicians
19. Comfortable managing standards, accountability, and performance
20. KPI- and results-driven mindset
21. Organised, decisive, and resilient in a fast-paced environment
22. Full UK driving licence (essential)
23. Level 2 qualification in Vehicle Maintenance principles (required)
24. Minimum 2 years’ experience in a senior technician or workshop management role
What’s On Offer for the Vehicle Preparation Manager:
25. Competitive salary with performance-related bonus linked to output, quality, and efficiency
26. Clear progression opportunities within a growing, long-established business
27. Ongoing leadership and management development
28. Workplace pension (auto-enrolment)
29. Employee discounts
30. On-site canteen
31. Free on-site parking
32. Supportive but performance-focused working culture
If you are interested in hearing more about this Vehicle Preparation Manager job in the Derby area, please contact Lewis Fagen at Perfect Placement Today.
Perfect Placement are specialists in Automotive Recruitment. So if you are looking for a New Job in the Motor Trade, be sure to contact our team today.