South Central Fleet Services Ltd

Head of Fleet Operations

The closing date is 27 July 2025

Job summary

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.

About us

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'.

Details

Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£65,000 to £75,000 a year per year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

SCFS_SLT_25

Job locations

Various Locations across the Trust region

Unit 8a, Nursling Industrial Estate, Oriana Way, Southampton.

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 0YU


Job description

Job 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 Trusts 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.

Job description

Job 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 Trusts 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

  • 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

  • Membership of a related professional body
  • Electric Vehicle maintenance or sustainability qualification
  • Advanced data Analysis
Person Specification

Job related

Essential

  • 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

  • Membership of a related professional body
  • Electric Vehicle maintenance or sustainability qualification
  • Advanced data Analysis

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

South Central Fleet Services Ltd

Address

Various Locations across the Trust region

Unit 8a, Nursling Industrial Estate, Oriana Way, Southampton.

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 0YU


Employer's website

https://www.scas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

South Central Fleet Services Ltd

Address

Various Locations across the Trust region

Unit 8a, Nursling Industrial Estate, Oriana Way, Southampton.

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 0YU


Employer's website

https://www.scas.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Assistant Director of Fleet and Operation

Dr Jason V. Watson

jason.watson@scas.nhs.uk

07971614944

Details

Date posted

11 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 8b

Salary

£65,000 to £75,000 a year per year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

SCFS_SLT_25

Job locations

Various Locations across the Trust region

Unit 8a, Nursling Industrial Estate, Oriana Way, Southampton.

SOUTHAMPTON

SO16 0YU


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

South Central Fleet Services Ltd's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)