Automotive Workshop- Southbourne, Dorset
Salary: Circa £30,000 per annum
Please note: You must have previous Service Advisor experience and/or strong mechanical knowledge of vehicles and parts.
If this does not apply to you, this role will not be suitable.
About the Role: A well-established, independent garage and MOT centre with a strong local reputation and a busy, well-organised workshop turning over approximately 15 jobs per day are looking for a confident, capable Receptionist / Service Advisor to take ownership of their front-of-house operations. This is a key role in the business and is ideal for someone who enjoys responsibility, thrives in a customer-facing environment, and understands how a workshop really works.
This is busy, but not chaotic, workshop and the business values organisation, communication, and doing things right rather than rushing and firefighting.
For the right person, this role offers real progression, with the opportunity to grow into running the business as it develops.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Acting as the first point of contact for customers- in person and on the phone
- Booking services, MOTs, diagnostics and repairs
- Creating and managing electronic job cards, estimates and invoices
- Allocating workload and coordinating daily workshop activity
- Ordering parts, receiving deliveries and assigning parts to jobs
- Tracking vehicle progress from check-in to handover
- Keeping customers informed clearly, honestly and professionally
- Taking payments by card and cash
- Maintaining accurate records and a tidy, welcoming reception area
- Supporting the smooth day-to-day running of the workshop
You’ll be the hub between customers, technicians and suppliers.
What We’re Looking For:
This role is not entry-level. Please apply only if you meet the criteria below.
Essential
- Previous experience as a Service Advisor and/or solid mechanical automotive knowledge
- A good technical understanding of vehicle servicing, repairs and parts
- Strong customer service skills with a calm, professional manner
- Ability to juggle multiple tasks and keep things moving
- Confident using motor industry systems and general office software
- Organised, detail-focused and reliable
Bonus (but not essential)
- Experience allocating jobs and managing workshop flow
- Leadership or supervisory experience
- Ambition to progress into a senior or management role
What We Offer
- Circa £30,000 per year
- 5-day working week- no weekends
- 22 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Company pension scheme
- Staff aftersales/repair discounts
- Ongoing training and development
- Long-term career progression in a growing independent business
Interested?
If you have the right experience or automotive knowledge and you’re looking for more than just a front desk role, we’d love to hear from you.
Applications without relevant automotive experience or knowledge will not be considered.