Workshop Manager at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (Lewa)

Key Responsibilities and Duties

The job holder’s duties and responsibilities are outlined as follows:

• Provide detailed input for quotations, planning and reviews of all workshop projects.
• Implement systems and upgrade the current standards of the workshop.
• Determine the work prioritization and task allocation for all workshop tasks.
• Oversee the work of workshop staff so that appropriate information, instruction, training, and guidance are provided when required.
• Ensure the efficient running of the workshop.
• Allocate work and support workshop staff in the most efficient and effective way.
• Oversee all the workshop functions including the staff and premises.
• Monitor vehicle tracking systems where applicable and liaise with the service provider so as to ensure the systems work seamlessly.
• Ensure all drivers follow the Road Laws of Kenya and are corrected\reprimanded when required.
• Ensure that all Lewa departments and other stakeholders’ transport requests are fulfilled.
• Identify and report recurrent problems with vehicles to the logistics manager.
• Supervise vehicle repair and maintenance work to pre-determined standards, to ensure the workshop meets its obligations to provide vehicles which are safe, reliable and legal in accordance with the Road Traffic Acts.
• Keep a close check of vehicle inspection dates and ensure that all Lewa vehicles are inspected on time and are adorned with the correct certificates and stickers etc.
• Ensure that all vehicles carry the correct items required by law such as a first aid box and fire extinguisher etc.
• Complete records for all vehicles and equipment maintained, to ensure the efficiency and accountability of the Workshop.
• Maintain specialist equipment and tools to ensure they are available for immediate use.
• Ensure that workshop tools and equipment inventories are kept up to date and there is no disappearance of tools\equipment.
• Observe safe working practices to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety legislation.
• Ensure that recycling procedures are followed and that the scrap metal bay is clean and tidy and that materials are moved on when required.
• Ensure that all “old” parts are either disposed of or stored neatly in the old spare containers.
• Maintain a preventative maintenance program for the vehicle fleet and in doing so ensure that kilometers covered are collected weekly for all vehicles under Sage reports.
• Ensure adherence to the safety regulations and workshop practices in regard to the Factory Act.
• Ensure that all plant, tools & Equipment are kept in good working condition.
• Ensure that all non-Lewa department jobs are charged accordingly using the correct procedures.
• Ensure all records of vehicle repairs and maintenance are kept in the prescribed order.
• Act as a liaison person for NRT, KWS and Kenya Police when they bring their vehicles for repair at the workshop.
• Ensure that we maintain a close working relationship with our stakeholders such as NRT.
• In conjunction with the Logistics Manager ensure that the roads team keeps to their maintenance schedules and that roads and airstrips are kept to a good standard.
• Participate in the preparation of the workshop budget; and
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Job Requirements:

Education / Knowledge, Experience & Competencies

The job holder must possess:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 4 years’ experience managing an automotive workshop.
• Knowledge in Automotive systems (vehicle layout, function, and location of parts).
• Knowledge of mechanical issues, warranties, service and general repairs.
• Knowledge of the same tractors, farming, and commercial diesel machinery.
• Organization ability.
• Detail-oriented.
• Technically competent with the ability to train others.
• Experience in monitoring fleet tracking\management systems.
• Many years of experience in Excel, Word and other relevant computer systems.