Service Manager – Heavy Plant Fleet

Service Manager – Heavy Plant Fleet About the Role Our Client is seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead the maintenance, servicing, compliance and reliability of their extensive heavy earthmoving fleet. This role is critical in maximising plant availability, reducing downtime, and ensuring all equipment is safe, compliant, and fit for purpose across major UK infrastructure projects. You will manage a team of plant inspectors, service engineers and support staff, driving high standards of performance, safety and operational excellence. Key Responsibilities Plant Maintenance Strategy & Delivery * Develop and manage a planned and preventative maintenance (PPM) strategy for the full plant fleet. * Ensure all servicing, inspections and statutory testing are completed on time and to OEM and legal standards. * Balance reactive and preventative maintenance to maximise uptime and reduce unplanned failures. * Oversee defect management, condition monitoring and repair prioritisation. Service Management * Set and monitor performance standards for productivity, response times, quality and cost efficiency. * Ensure workshops, service vehicles and tooling are safe, compliant and well maintained. * Drive continuous improvement in job planning, parts control, processes and record keeping. Health, Safety & Compliance * Ensure all plant complies with PUWER, LOLER, DVSA and manufacturer requirements. * Ensure RAMS, SSoW and risk assessments are in place and followed. * Support audits, investigations and safety improvement initiatives. Supply Chain & OEM Management * Manage relationships with OEMs, dealers and third‑party service providers. * Negotiate service agreements, warranty arrangements and response times. * Support commissioning and handover of new plant. Leadership & People Management * Lead, develop and motivate service engineers, fitters and support staff. * Ensure training, competency and authorisations match plant types and technologies. * Foster strong collaboration between Service, Operations, Projects and Plant teams. Systems, Reporting & Data * Maintain accurate service histories, defect logs and compliance records. * Use CMMS/fleet systems to analyse downtime, failure trends and costs. * Produce clear reports for senior management on availability, reliability and spend. * Support digital improvements in diagnostics, tracking and maintenance planning. Knowledge, Skills & Experience Essential Knowledge * Strong understanding of heavy plant systems: engines, hydraulics, powertrain, electrics, telematics, undercarriage, braking, attachments. * UK compliance knowledge: PUWER, LOLER, DVSA, OEM maintenance standards, environmental regulations. * Maintenance strategies: PPM, condition‑based maintenance, RCA, reliability‑centred maintenance. * Workshop & field service operations, RAMS/SSoW, safe isolation/lockout. * Commercial awareness: labour recovery, cost codes, capex/opex, repair vs. replace. Essential Skills * Leadership of multisite workshops and mobile engineers. * Strong problem‑solving and structured fault diagnosis. * Clear communication with site teams, HSEQ, suppliers and management