How to become a workshop manager or service manager in the automotive industry

Workshop managers and service managers run the part of the business that looks after customers' vehicles. They keep the workshop productive, the team supported and customers satisfied, and they are often the people who decide how a service department performs.

What the job involves

• Planning the workload so jobs finish on time and technicians are kept busy.
• Leading, coaching and recruiting technicians, apprentices and advisors.
• Managing budgets, targets, warranty and customer feedback.
• Making sure the workshop follows safety, quality and manufacturer standards.
• Handling difficult customer situations fairly.

Skills that help

• Leadership and clear communication.
• Organisation, planning and good commercial sense.
• Technical understanding of vehicles and workshop processes.
• Fairness and patience when working with a team under pressure.

How people get started

• Many managers begin as technicians who move into foreman or team leader roles, or as service advisors who develop leadership skills.
• Management and leadership courses can help, and some dealership groups and manufacturers offer their own programs.
• Experience in running a team, even in another industry, is valued.

Where the career can lead

• Larger or multi-site workshop management.
• Fixed operations or aftersales director roles in a dealership group.
• Regional or national roles with a manufacturer or network, or business ownership.

Jobs and pay right now

Right now, 5 live ads on AllAutoCareers show pay for this role. Most are between $105,000 and $150,000 a year. Pay depends on experience, location, qualifications and the employer. Here are 5 current workshop and service manager jobs on AllAutoCareers:

• Workshop Controller
  TalentEx Employment Group · Castle Hill, NSW · Full-time · $100,000 – $110,000
  Full-time Workshop Controller role in Castle Hill, NSW, coordinating workshop jobs and technicians. $100,000 – $110,000.
• Automotive Service Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Malvern, VIC · Full-time · $140,000 – $160,000
  Lead the service department as Automotive Service Manager in Malvern, VIC. Full-time, on-site, $140,000 – $160,000.
• Automotive Service Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · West Gosford, NSW · Full-time · $130,000 – $150,000
  Full-time, on-site Automotive Service Manager role in West Gosford, NSW, offering $130,000 – $150,000 with TalentEx Employment Group.
• Group Service Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Coffs Harbour, NSW · Full-time · $140,000 – $160,000
  Lead the service department as Group Service Manager in Coffs Harbour, NSW. Full-time, on-site, $140,000 – $160,000.
• Assistant Service Manager
  TalentEx Employment Group · Cooma, NSW · Full-time · $90,000 – $110,000
  Full-time Assistant Service Manager role in an automotive service department in Cooma, NSW. $90,000 – $110,000.

See all automotive jobs

Common questions

Do I need to be a qualified mechanic to manage a workshop?

Not always, but many employers prefer technical experience. Check the requirements in each job advertisement.

More career guides

General guidance only. Training pathways, entry requirements and pay differ between states and employers, so check current details with the employer, your state training authority or an industry training organisation. Last reviewed 12 October 2026.

Hiring? Post a job on AllAutoCareers.