Workshop Supervisor - Automotive Workshop Operations at Al-Futtaim Automotive, Saudi Arabia

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

Founded in the 1930s, the Al-Futtaim Group is a prominent regional conglomerate headquartered in Dubai, spanning multiple industries including automotive, financial services, real estate, retail, and healthcare. With a workforce exceeding 35,000 individuals across 20+ countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa, Al-Futtaim partners with over 200 prestigious global brands. The organization thrives on entrepreneurship and a customer-first philosophy that drives consistent growth and responsiveness to evolving customer needs.

Within Al-Futtaim Automotive, a key division representing renowned automotive brands such as Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, and Volvo, the mission is to deliver exceptional mobility solutions and world-class service experiences to a broad customer base. The division operates across 10 countries with a talented team of 9000 employees.

Role Summary

As Workshop Supervisor, you will be responsible for managing daily workshop operations, ensuring that technicians complete repairs and services precisely following OEM standards, on schedule, and within defined labor hours. You will oversee technician productivity, throughput, repair quality, safety, and housekeeping compliance. The role acts as a critical link between Service Advisors, Parts, and Technicians to safeguard customer satisfaction and dealership profitability through effective floor management and technical leadership.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Assign Repair Orders to technicians by evaluating skill levels, job complexity, and workload to maximize labor efficiency and productivity.
• Regularly monitor ongoing work to identify and address operational hurdles, ensuring timely delivery commitments.
• Ensure strict adherence to OEM manuals, diagnostic protocols, and dealership procedures for every service task.
• Drive key workshop performance metrics including productivity, labor utilization, and technician outcomes against targets.
• Optimize workshop bay usage, technician assignment, and service turnaround to enhance flow and efficiency.
• Perform final quality inspections on completed repairs to prevent rework, customer complaints, or warranty issues.
• Analyze causes of technical failures and oversee corrective actions and skill coaching to reduce repeat repairs.
• Supervise proper use of special service tools, diagnostic equipment, and authorized repair methods aligned with OEM guidelines.
• Ensure team compliance with technical bulletins, recall processes, and manufacturer updates.
• Lead, mentor, and develop technicians including electrical and pre-delivery inspection specialists, identifying training needs and coordinating certification programs.
• Conduct daily briefings covering workload, safety, technical updates, and performance expectations.
• Manage technician discipline, attendance, performance evaluation, and succession planning.
• Enforce all health, safety, and environmental standards including PPE use, safe handling of hazardous materials, and equipment compliance.
• Maintain high housekeeping standards consistent with OEM audit and 5S methodologies.
• Ensure regular calibration, equipment maintenance, workshop certifications, and safety audits are current and inspection-ready.
• Support warranty compliance, OEM audits, internal controls, and dealership governance policies.
• Collaborate closely with Service Advisors on repair approvals, customer expectations, and delivery communication.
• Coordinate with Parts departments on urgent parts needs to prevent vehicle downtime.
• Prepare and submit detailed reports on workshop productivity, labor efficiency, quality metrics, and technician performance to Service Manager.
• Assist in service planning using data-driven operational insights and performance reviews.

Educational and Professional Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's degree in Automotive, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Preferred advanced technical certification such as OEM-certified Master Technician qualification.

Experience and Technical Expertise

• At least 6 to 8 years working experience in a franchised automotive dealership workshop, with a minimum of 2 years in supervisory or team leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated progression from technician roles to workshop supervision in dealership environments.
• Proven track record in enhancing technician productivity, first-time fix rates, labor efficiency, and reducing customer callbacks in busy workshops.
• In-depth expertise with OEM diagnostic systems, repair procedures, technical manuals, and warranty processes.
• Familiarity with Dealer Management Systems (e.g., SAP, Kerridge, Autoline) or similar platforms.
• Knowledge of electric/hybrid vehicle systems, ADAS calibration, and vehicle electronics preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret wiring diagrams, schematics, and technical service bulletins accurately.
• Competency in Microsoft Office tools for reporting and operational analysis.

Additional Information

This is a full-time position based onsite in Saudi Arabia, requiring hands-on leadership and operational control of workshop activities to uphold quality and safety standards. The role supports dealership commitments to customers and brand excellence through proactive workshop management, technical mentoring, and cross-functional coordination.