Background

The Lead Mechanic is responsible for the day-to-day supervision and execution of all preventive and corrective maintenance activities for the company's fleet of approximately 100 heavy commercial trucks and 150 light vehicles. The role ensures that all maintenance and repair work is completed safely, efficiently, and to manufacturer and company standards while maximizing fleet availability and minimizing downtime. Reporting to the Workshop Manager, the Lead Mechanic supervises workshop technicians, subcontracted Service providers, coordinates daily workshop activities, diagnoses complex mechanical faults, verifies the quality of repairs, and ensures effective utilization of labor, tools, equipment, and spare parts to achieve workshop performance targets.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

1) Fleet Maintenance Operations

• Supervise and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on heavy commercial trucks, trailers, and light vehicles.
• Allocate daily maintenance and repair jobs in accordance with the workshop schedule and operational priorities.
• Ensure all servicing and repairs are completed in line with manufacturer specifications, company procedures, and statutory requirements.
• Diagnose complex mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic faults and provide technical guidance to workshop staff.
• Conduct final inspections and roadworthiness checks before releasing vehicles back to operations.
• Respond to vehicle breakdowns and coordinate emergency repairs to minimize operational downtime.

2) Workshop Supervision

• Supervise, coach, and mentor mechanics, apprentices, and technicians to ensure quality workmanship and productivity.
• Monitor daily workshop activities and ensure efficient utilization of manpower, tools, and workshop equipment.
• Conduct daily toolbox talks and provide on-the-job technical training to improve staff competency.
• Monitor staff performance and recommend training or disciplinary action where necessary.
• Ensure workshop housekeeping standards are maintained at all times.

3) Spare Parts and Workshop Resources.

• Identify and requisition the required spare parts, tools, and consumables for maintenance activities.
• Verify that issued spare parts are correctly used and accounted for on each repair job.
• Report defective, damaged, or obsolete parts to the Workshop Manager.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and care of workshop tools and equipment.
• Support periodic inventory counts and stock reconciliations.

4) Quality Assurance and Cost Control

• Ensure repairs are completed correctly the first time to minimize repeat failures and warranty claims.
• Monitor labour utilization and job completion times against established standards.
• Report recurring vehicle defects and recommend corrective actions to improve fleet reliability.
• Minimize wastage of spare parts, lubricants, fuel, and workshop consumables.
• Support the Workshop Manager in achieving maintenance cost control objectives.

5) Health, Safety and Legal Compliance

• Enforce compliance with company Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies and safe working procedures.
• Ensure all workshop personnel wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report and investigate workshop accidents, unsafe conditions, and near misses.
• Ensure all maintenance work complies with manufacturer specifications, statutory requirements, and company standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized workshop environment.

6) Reporting and Fleet Performance Monitoring

• Update job cards, maintenance records, and repair documentation accurately and on time.
• Report daily work progress, outstanding repairs, and vehicle status to the Workshop Manager.
• Monitor workshop productivity, vehicle downtime, and maintenance turnaround times.
• Assist in analysing recurring mechanical failures and recommending preventive measures.
• Support the preparation of maintenance performance reports and KPI dashboards.

7) Other Responsibilities

• Participate in breakdown recovery activities when required.
• Support vehicle inspections, audits, and compliance checks.
• Assist with commissioning of new vehicles and decommissioning of old assets.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Workshop Manager.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:

• Diploma or Higher Diploma in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, or a related technical discipline (Bachelor's Degree is an added advantage).
• Trade Test Grade I or equivalent professional qualification in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.
• Minimum of 5–7 years' experience in commercial fleet maintenance, including 2–3 years in a supervisory or lead mechanic role.
• Proven experience maintaining heavy commercial vehicles within transport, logistics, FMCG, construction, mining, or related industries.
• Experience working with heavy-duty truck brands such as Scania, Tata, Mercedes-Benz Actros, FAW, CAT, or equivalent.
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) is an added advantage.

Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance for heavy commercial vehicles and light vehicles.
• Advanced fault diagnosis and repair of diesel engines, transmissions, braking, steering, suspension, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and manufacturer service information.
• Good knowledge of workshop planning, job card management, maintenance scheduling, and quality control.
• Proficiency in the safe use of workshop tools, diagnostic equipment, and vehicle testing equipment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and fleet maintenance management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet maintenance turnaround targets.

• Supervise and perform preventive and corrective maintenance on heavy commercial trucks, trailers, and light vehicles.
• Allocate daily maintenance and repair jobs in accordance with the workshop schedule and operational priorities.
• Ensure all servicing and repairs are completed in line with manufacturer specifications, company procedures, and statutory requirements.
• Diagnose complex mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic faults and provide technical guidance to workshop staff.
• Conduct final inspections and roadworthiness checks before releasing vehicles back to operations.
• Respond to vehicle breakdowns and coordinate emergency repairs to minimize operational downtime.
• Supervise, coach, and mentor mechanics, apprentices, and technicians to ensure quality workmanship and productivity.
• Monitor daily workshop activities and ensure efficient utilization of manpower, tools, and workshop equipment.
• Conduct daily toolbox talks and provide on-the-job technical training to improve staff competency.
• Monitor staff performance and recommend training or disciplinary action where necessary.
• Ensure workshop housekeeping standards are maintained at all times.
• Identify and requisition the required spare parts, tools, and consumables for maintenance activities.
• Verify that issued spare parts are correctly used and accounted for on each repair job.
• Report defective, damaged, or obsolete parts to the Workshop Manager.
• Ensure proper handling, storage, and care of workshop tools and equipment.
• Support periodic inventory counts and stock reconciliations.
• Ensure repairs are completed correctly the first time to minimize repeat failures and warranty claims.
• Monitor labour utilization and job completion times against established standards.
• Report recurring vehicle defects and recommend corrective actions to improve fleet reliability.
• Minimize wastage of spare parts, lubricants, fuel, and workshop consumables.
• Support the Workshop Manager in achieving maintenance cost control objectives.
• Enforce compliance with company Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) policies and safe working procedures.
• Ensure all workshop personnel wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Report and investigate workshop accidents, unsafe conditions, and near misses.
• Ensure all maintenance work complies with manufacturer specifications, statutory requirements, and company standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organized workshop environment.
• Update job cards, maintenance records, and repair documentation accurately and on time.
• Report daily work progress, outstanding repairs, and vehicle status to the Workshop Manager.
• Monitor workshop productivity, vehicle downtime, and maintenance turnaround times.
• Assist in analysing recurring mechanical failures and recommending preventive measures.
• Support the preparation of maintenance performance reports and KPI dashboards.
• Participate in breakdown recovery activities when required.
• Support vehicle inspections, audits, and compliance checks.
• Assist with commissioning of new vehicles and decommissioning of old assets.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Workshop Manager.

• Strong knowledge of preventive and corrective maintenance for heavy commercial vehicles and light vehicles.
• Advanced fault diagnosis and repair of diesel engines, transmissions, braking, steering, suspension, hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, and electronic systems.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, wiring diagrams, and manufacturer service information.
• Good knowledge of workshop planning, job card management, maintenance scheduling, and quality control.
• Proficiency in the safe use of workshop tools, diagnostic equipment, and vehicle testing equipment.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and fleet maintenance management systems.
• Strong leadership, communication, coaching, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively under pressure and meet maintenance turnaround targets.

• Diploma or Higher Diploma in Automotive Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, or a related technical discipline (Bachelor's Degree is an added advantage).
• Trade Test Grade I or equivalent professional qualification in Heavy Vehicle Mechanics.
• Minimum of 5–7 years' experience in commercial fleet maintenance, including 2–3 years in a supervisory or lead mechanic role.
• Proven experience maintaining heavy commercial vehicles within transport, logistics, FMCG, construction, mining, or related industries.
• Experience working with heavy-duty truck brands such as Scania, Tata, Mercedes-Benz Actros, FAW, CAT, or equivalent.
• Experience using Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) is an added advantage.