Build
Help create the systems, standards and structure needed to support the next phase of our growth.
Senior Leadership Opportunity
Thurton Auto Centre & Motorhome and Caravan Care
This Isn't Just Another Service Manager Role.
This is your opportunity to lead two growing departments, develop an exceptional team and help us build one of the region's strongest independent automotive and leisure-vehicle service operations.
Service Operations ManagerFull TimePermanentThurton, NorfolkPerformance-Related Package
The Opportunity
Some people manage departments. Others build businesses.
Thurton Auto Centre is entering an important new stage of growth. We now need an experienced operational leader to head up our automotive and leisure-vehicle service departments.
You will take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of Thurton Auto Centre and Motorhome & Caravan Care, working directly with the Managing Director to improve our people, processes, productivity, profitability and customer experience.
We are not recruiting someone to keep things ticking over. We are looking for someone capable of moving the whole operation forward.
Why this role matters
Our customer base, specialist capabilities and service offering continue to grow. We now need greater structure, stronger leadership and clear operational accountability across both departments.
This person will become a central member of the leadership team and will have genuine influence over how the business develops.
Your ideas will not disappear through layers of management. You will be expected to turn good ideas into measurable improvements.
Why This Opportunity Is Different
The freedom to make a genuine difference.
This is an opportunity for an ambitious manager who wants greater autonomy, direct access to the business owner and the ability to shape a growing operation.
Lead
Manage, coach and develop our service advisors, controllers, technicians and wider workshop team.
Improve
Identify operational shortfalls, remove bottlenecks and introduce practical improvements that work.
Influence
Work directly with the Managing Director and contribute to important strategic and investment decisions.
Deliver
Turn operational plans into stronger productivity, profitability, customer retention and team performance.
Progress
Grow with an ambitious independent business and create a pathway towards wider operational leadership.
Your Responsibility
Lead the entire service operation.
You will take ownership of the daily performance of both departments while ensuring every customer receives clear communication, professional advice and a consistently first-class experience.
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Operational leadership Take responsibility for the day-to-day running, organisation and performance of both service departments.
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Team management and mentoring Set clear expectations, conduct regular reviews and help every team member improve.
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Customer experience Establish communication standards and ensure customers remain properly informed from booking to collection.
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Workshop productivity Improve workshop loading, utilisation, efficiency, technician output and labour recovery.
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Quotation conversion Ensure quotations are professionally presented, consistently followed up and converted appropriately.
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Forward bookings and retention Build a strong forward diary and improve repeat business, annual servicing and customer retention.
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KPI ownership Introduce and manage clear performance measures covering sales, productivity, conversion and satisfaction.
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Quality and accountability Ensure agreed processes are followed and quality standards are maintained as the business grows.
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Commercial performance Understand departmental costs, margins, gross profit and the actions needed to produce sustainable growth.
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Continuous improvement Challenge inefficient practices and introduce better systems, technology and working methods.
The Person We Need
An experienced leader with commercial drive.
This position requires more than technical knowledge. We need someone who understands people, operations, numbers and the importance of creating a customer experience that builds long-term loyalty.
Essential qualities
You will be able to demonstrate:
- Proven service-management or aftersales leadership experience.
- A strong understanding of workshop operations and workflow.
- Experience managing, coaching and holding teams accountable.
- Excellent communication and customer-resolution skills.
- Commercial awareness and confidence working with KPIs.
- The ability to organise competing priorities effectively.
- A positive, decisive and practical leadership style.
- A genuine desire to improve standards rather than accept them.
Experience that would add value
We would particularly welcome candidates with experience gained within:
- Automotive dealerships or dealer groups.
- High-performing independent service centres.
- Automotive aftersales management.
- Workshop or regional operations management.
- Premium customer-service environments.
- Motorhome, caravan or leisure-vehicle operations.
- CRM, digital inspections and workflow systems.
- Departmental budgeting, forecasting and profit management.
What Success Looks Like
Measurable improvement across the whole operation.
You will be given the support and authority to create lasting improvements—not simply short-term activity.
Customer ExperienceConsistently strong reviews, communication and feedback.
ProductivityBetter workshop flow, utilisation and technician output.
Quotation ConversionClear follow-up and stronger conversion of approved work.
Forward DiaryConsistent future bookings and stronger retention.
AccountabilityVisible measures, clear expectations and regular reviews.
ProfitabilitySustainable growth supported by sound commercial control.
Team DevelopmentBetter training, engagement, confidence and performance.
Consistent QualityRepeatable processes and high standards at every stage.
One Leader. Two Departments.
A broad and genuinely varied operation.
Thurton Auto Centre
A busy independent automotive service centre supporting motorists, commercial vehicles and local businesses across Norfolk and Suffolk.
Motorhome & Caravan Care
Our specialist leisure-vehicle division provides mechanical, habitation, safety, repair and upgrade services for motorhomes, campervans and caravans.
Already Successful Elsewhere?
Perhaps you are not actively looking for another job.
But you may be ready for an opportunity where your ideas, leadership and experience can have a far greater impact.
Do your best ideas get lost through layers of corporate management?
Do you spend more time reporting than improving your department?
Do you know what needs to change but lack the authority to make it happen?
Could you achieve more with greater autonomy and direct access to the business owner?
Your initial conversation will be treated in complete confidence.
Arrange a Confidential ConversationThe Package
Rewarded for the value you create.
We want the remuneration structure to recognise both leadership responsibility and measurable ongoing performance.
Competitive Basic Salary
Performance-Related Reward
Uncapped Earning Potential
Leadership Autonomy
Direct MD Access
Training & Development
Company Pension
Long-Term Progression
Take the Next Step
Ready to help us build something exceptional?
Apply formally, request further information or arrange a confidential initial conversation.
Make a Confidential Enquiry
Complete the form below and your enquiry will be sent directly to Thurton Auto Centre.
Lead with purpose. Build with pride. Grow with us. Thurton Auto Centre | Motorhome & Caravan Care | Thurton, Norfolk