Workshop Controller

Are you an experienced Workshop Controller or Senior Technician looking for your next challenge? Do you thrive in a fast-paced automotive environment where customer satisfaction, efficiency, and team development are at the heart of everything you do?

At Pulman, we are proud to be the only family-owned Volkswagen Group retailer in the North East, representing Volkswagen, SEAT, CUPRA, Škoda, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, VWFS Rent-a-Car, and National Vehicle Solutions (NVS).

With over 260 colleagues across the Group, we have built a reputation for delivering exceptional customer service while creating a supportive and rewarding workplace where our people can develop and succeed.

What We Offer

• Basic salary of £40,000
• Monthly bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company pension scheme
• Free uniform
• Complimentary eye tests, dental check-ups and flu vaccinations
• Manufacturer and industry-leading training programmes
• Excellent career progression opportunities within the Pulman Group
• Supportive, family-oriented working environment

The Role

As Workshop Controller, you will play a pivotal role in maximising workshop productivity, efficiency, and profitability while ensuring the highest standards of customer service and vehicle repair quality.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing and coordinating workshop workflow to maximise technician productivity and workshop efficiency
• Planning labour resources effectively to ensure optimum utilisation and performance
• Monitoring workshop performance against key performance indicators (KPIs)
• Driving first‑time fix rates and quality standards across all repairs and servicing activities
• Ensuring the CitNOW Electronic Vehicle Health Check (EVHC) process is fully utilised to identify and maximise upselling opportunities
• Supporting technicians and providing technical guidance where required
• Working closely with Service Advisors, the Service Manager, and wider Aftersales team to ensure seamless customer journeys
• Maintaining compliance with manufacturer, retailer, health and safety, and industry standards
• Managing workshop loading and scheduling to meet customer expectations and operational targets
• Leading, motivating, and developing a team of technicians to achieve outstanding results
• Delivering an exceptional customer experience at every stage of the aftersales process

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Previous experience as a Workshop Controller, Senior Technician, or similar automotive leadership role
• Strong mechanical and technical knowledge within the motor trade
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Proven ability to manage workshop efficiency and productivity
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Experience leading and motivating technical teams
• A proactive and solution‑focused approach
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality workmanship
• Experience working within Volkswagen Group brands
• Knowledge of manufacturer systems and aftersales processes
• Experience using CitNOW and EVHC platforms

Why Pulman?

At Pulman, our people are our greatest asset. We invest in training, development, and career progression, creating opportunities for colleagues to build long‑term, successful careers within our business.

If you're passionate about automotive excellence, workshop performance, and delivering outstanding customer experiences, we'd love to hear from you.

BEING PULMAN EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SCHEME:

People are at the heart of the Being Pulman Culture. That is why we offer our amazing employees a fantastic reward and benefits package alongside competitive industry salaries.

Pulman Annual Leave

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays. For every 5 years worked at Pulman, increase your holidays by an extra day up to 30 days per annum.

Pulman Retail Savings

Access hundreds of retail discounts including grocery e‑vouchers for online and instore use. Save up to 51% on holidays abroad and in the UK. Save up to 27% on leading cinemas. Available for yourself and your household.

Pulman Health & Wellbeing

Looking after our staff health and wellbeing is a top priority. That is why we have partnered with SAGE to offer all our employees’ access to legal, financial advice and counselling. With OnDemand GP our employees can cut waiting times and admin with GP video consultations and prescriptions sent directly to local pharmacies. Gym discounts are available at over 3000 participating health & leisure centres. Finally, Hapi‑life is a resource library available to all our employees to support across a wide range of wellbeing topics and services.

Pulman Medical Care

All our employees’ can claim one eye test, one dental check‑up and one flu jab per year.

Pulman Pensions and Insurance

Pulman pay 4% of an employee annual salary into the workplace pension. Death in service insurance is also included for all Pulman employees.

Pulman Uniform

Re‑fresh your uniform once per year for free.

We regret that, due to volume for roles at Pulman, we are only able to contact successful candidates. If you don’t hear from a member of our team within 28 working days of submission, you have not been successful on this occasion. At Pulman Group we take your privacy seriously. We will not pass on your details to a third party. We are also committed to keeping your data safe and secure. To find out more information about how we use your data and your data rights you can view our recruitment policy.

Join Us

Looking for a career at Pulman?Search all current vacancies.

Learn all about Being Pulman. The Pulman values and culture.

Registered in England No. 03597141

VAT Registration No. 100140209

FCA Statement

Pulman Volkswagen, Pulman Volkswagen (Durham) Buzz Centre, Pulman Buzz Centre Sunderland and CUPRA Sunderland are trading names of Mike Pulman Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities under reference number 308745 - we are a credit broker not a lender. Pulman SEAT Limited & Pulman Škoda Limited are Appointed Representative of Mike Pulman Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for credit broking and insurance distribution activities under reference number 308745 - we are a credit broker not a lender.

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