Senior HGV Mechanic / Future Workshop Lead

Location: Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
Salary: €60,000 to €68,000 per annum, depending on experience
Additional Earnings: Overtime
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent

The Role

Our client is an established transport and logistics business based in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford, operating a substantial fleet of heavy commercial vehicles.

They are seeking an experienced Senior HGV Mechanic to join their workshop team in a key long-term appointment.

This is not simply another mechanic position. The successful candidate will initially work alongside and under the guidance of the company's experienced Workshop Lead, developing a detailed understanding of the fleet, workshop systems and maintenance requirements.

Over approximately the following one to two years, the intention is for the successful candidate to progressively assume greater responsibility for the workshop, ultimately succeeding the current Workshop Lead and taking responsibility for the day-to-day running of the operation.

The position therefore requires an excellent hands-on HGV mechanic who also possesses the communication skills, organisation, technical judgement and leadership potential to develop into a Workshop Lead position.

Key Responsibilities

Initially, the position will remain predominantly hands-on and will include:

Servicing, maintaining and repairing HGVs and associated equipment.
Diagnosing mechanical, electrical and electronic faults.
Carrying out preventative maintenance and scheduled vehicle inspections.
Identifying faults before they result in excessive vehicle downtime or roadside breakdowns.
Preparing vehicles for CVRT and ensuring identified faults are rectified to the required standard.
Carrying out engine, transmission, braking, suspension and general mechanical repairs.
Using appropriate diagnostic equipment to investigate vehicle faults.
Responding to breakdowns and carrying out repairs where required.
Completing maintenance records, inspection documentation and workshop paperwork accurately.
Ensuring vehicles are maintained to appropriate safety and roadworthiness standards.
Working closely with drivers and operational staff to identify and resolve vehicle defects.

Fleet Experience

The workshop supports a mixed European HGV fleet, so strong experience with several of the following manufacturers would be particularly valuable:

Volvo
Scania
MAN
Renault Trucks
Mercedes-Benz
Iveco

Candidates do not need extensive experience with every manufacturer. However, strong multi-brand European HGV experience, particularly in fault-finding and diagnostics, would be a significant advantage.

Progression to Workshop Lead

A major part of this appointment is succession planning.

During the initial one-to-two-year period, the successful candidate will work closely with the existing Workshop Lead, developing a thorough understanding of the company's vehicles, maintenance schedules, workshop procedures and operational requirements.

As the candidate becomes established, their responsibilities are expected to progressively include:

Planning and prioritising workshop workloads.
Coordinating scheduled servicing and preventative maintenance.
Allocating work within the workshop.
Supporting and providing technical guidance to other mechanics.
Taking responsibility for diagnosing more complicated vehicle faults.
Monitoring outstanding repairs and vehicle downtime.
Ensuring vehicles are repaired and returned to service efficiently.
Maintaining workshop standards, organisation and housekeeping.
Ensuring repair, inspection and maintenance records are properly completed.
Liaising with operations regarding vehicle availability and maintenance requirements.
Managing parts requirements and assisting with stock control.
Liaising with external suppliers and service providers where required.
Supporting the ongoing development of workshop personnel.
Maintaining a strong culture of safety, quality and preventative maintenance.

The long-term objective is for the successful candidate to take responsibility for the day-to-day running of the workshop as Workshop Lead.

Candidate Requirements

The successful candidate should have:

A recognised qualification as an HGV, heavy vehicle, diesel or commercial vehicle mechanic, or an equivalent recognised trade qualification.
Significant hands-on experience maintaining and repairing HGVs or heavy commercial vehicles.
Strong diagnostic and fault-finding ability.
Experience working with modern European truck systems.
Experience with Volvo, Scania, MAN, Renault, Mercedes-Benz and/or Iveco vehicles would be highly desirable.
Good understanding of preventative maintenance and scheduled fleet servicing.
Strong knowledge of braking, suspension, drivetrain, engine and electrical systems.
The ability to accurately diagnose problems rather than simply replace components.
A strong approach to workshop safety, vehicle roadworthiness and quality of workmanship.
Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work.
The ability and willingness to develop into a workshop leadership position.

English Language Requirement

Excellent spoken and written English is essential.

This is particularly important because the successful candidate will progressively move into a leadership position involving regular communication with drivers, mechanics, suppliers and operational management, as well as having responsibility for workshop and maintenance documentation.

Leadership Profile

Previous experience as a Workshop Foreman, Workshop Supervisor, Lead Mechanic or Senior HGV Mechanic would be advantageous, but formal management experience is not essential.

We would also consider a highly experienced Senior HGV Mechanic who has not yet formally managed a workshop but can demonstrate:

Natural leadership ability.
Strong technical judgement.
Confidence in making decisions.
Excellent communication skills.
The ability to support and guide other mechanics.
A practical and organised approach.
The willingness to accept increasing levels of responsibility.
A genuine ambition to progress into workshop leadership.

Package

€60,000 to €68,000 basic salary per annum, depending on experience.
Overtime available in addition to the basic salary.
Permanent, full-time employment.
Senior position within an established transport operation.
Clear progression towards ultimately taking responsibility for the workshop.
Structured handover and knowledge-transfer period working alongside the existing Workshop Lead.

Employment Permit & Long-Term Opportunity

While applications from EU and UK citizens would be particularly welcome, the employer is also open to considering suitably qualified candidates who are currently living and working in Ireland on an employment permit.

For such candidates, excellent spoken and written English is essential, together with a strong HGV mechanical background and a genuine desire to develop into a senior workshop leadership position.

This opportunity may be particularly attractive to an experienced employment permit holder already established in Ireland who is looking for:

A significant step forward in their career.
A salary of €60,000 to €68,000 depending on experience, plus overtime.
A long-term, permanent position.
The opportunity to progress from Senior HGV Mechanic to Workshop Lead.
Greater responsibility and long-term career development.
An employer willing to consider appropriate employment permit options for the right candidate.

For an exceptional candidate, the employer would be prepared to explore the possibility of supporting a Critical Skills Employment Permit, where the role and candidate meet the applicable eligibility requirements.

Ideal Candidate

This opportunity would particularly suit an experienced HGV mechanic who has reached the point in their career where they are looking for more than another technician position.

You may already be working as a Senior HGV Mechanic, Lead Mechanic, Workshop Foreman or Supervisor, or you may simply be the experienced mechanic that colleagues regularly turn to when they cannot solve a difficult problem.

Ultimately, the employer is looking for someone who combines:

Strong hands-on HGV technical ability
Excellent spoken and written English
Strong diagnostic and fault-finding skills
Sound technical judgement
Leadership potential
A desire to build a long-term career with the business

For the right candidate, this represents a genuine opportunity to join the business as a senior hands-on mechanic, learn directly from the existing Workshop Lead and progressively develop into the person who will ultimately take responsibility for running the workshop.