Smart Repair Manager

Job description / Role

Overview of the role

To lead and manage the Smart Repairs workshop operations with a focus on efficiency, quality, and customer satisfaction. The role is responsible for ensuring all paint and body repair activities are executed in full compliance with brand standards, safety requirements, and cost control objectives. You will oversee productivity, workflow, and team performance to ensure that every repair meets or exceeds company and principal expectations for quality and turnaround time.

What you will do

• Lead and manage the complete Smart Repairs operations, including denting, painting, polishing, and detailing of both new and customer vehicles.
• Develop and implement short- and long-term business strategies to achieve productivity, quality, and profitability targets.
• Optimize the utilization of paint booths, manpower, and materials to maximize efficiency and minimize downtime.
• Analyse key performance data (job count, paint usage, rework percentage, cost per job) and implement corrective actions where needed.
• Ensure full compliance with OEM and internal quality standards for color accuracy, finish, and repair excellence.

• Establish and monitor Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) across all stages — inspection, estimation, preparation, painting, and final quality checks.
• Ensure all repair work aligns with approved job cards and cost estimates.
• Conduct regular quality audits to identify improvement opportunities and minimize rework.
• Maintain strict control over paint and material usage through systematic mix room and consumption management.
• Promote lean practices and 5S methodologies to enhance workflow efficiency and workplace organization.

• Enforce adherence to all workshop safety procedures and mandatory PPE usage.
• Oversee the safe storage, labelling, and disposal of hazardous substances such as thinners, paints, and solvents.
• Ensure full compliance with Al-Futtaim HSSE regulations and environmental standards.
• Lead periodic fire drills, safety briefings, and spill response training sessions.

• Manage, coach, and develop a skilled team of supervisors, painters, denters, polishers, and helpers.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations and identify training requirements for skill enhancement.
• Foster a multi-skilled, cross-trained workforce to ensure operational flexibility and business continuity.
• Motivate and engage team members through recognition, continuous feedback, and career development support.
• Uphold standards of discipline, grooming, attendance, and compliance with the Al-Futtaim code of conduct.

• Prepare and monitor monthly budgets, ensuring effective cost management and profitability tracking.
• Oversee accurate estimation, job costing, and timely invoicing for all repair jobs.
• Review labor hours versus billed hours to enhance productivity and reduce idle time.
• Drive cost optimization initiatives related to material wastage, energy consumption, and rework reduction.
• Liaise with the finance team for LPOs, vendor settlements, and timely billing cycles.

• Generate and submit daily, weekly, and monthly reports on performance metrics, material usage, rework rates, and revenue.
• Coordinate closely with Operations, PDI, and Quality teams to prioritize repair workflows.
• Represent the Body & Paint department in management meetings, reviews, and audits.
• Collaborate with HR for manpower planning and with IT for process automation and reporting improvements.

• Supervise the maintenance and calibration of all equipment — paint booths, compressors, polishers, and tools — ensuring consistent uptime.
• Plan preventive maintenance schedules for booth filters, air and water lines, and safety systems.
• Manage inventory forecasting for paints, consumables, and spare parts in coordination with the business team to avoid shortages.
• Review and approve vendor quotations for outsourced repairs when required.

Required skills to be successful

• In-depth knowledge of smart repair processes, color matching, paint application, denting, and polishing techniques, ensuring high-quality workmanship aligned with OEM standards.
• Strong ability to lead, motivate, and develop a multi-skilled team, driving performance, accountability, and continuous improvement within a fast-paced workshop environment.
• Proven skills in resource planning, cost control, budgeting, and performance analysis to maximize productivity and profitability.
• Commitment to maintaining strict quality control, safety compliance, and adherence to 5S and lean principles for efficient, safe, and sustainable workshop operation.

About the team

Reporting to the Head of Division, you will operate in a dynamic workshop environment, engaging with multiple stakeholders across operations, quality, and commercial functions to deliver best-in-class repair services.

What equips you for the role

• Bachelor’s degree, Technical Certification, or Vocational Training in Automotive or related fields.
• 5–7 years of proven experience managing a reputed automotive workshop.
• Strong knowledge of spray painting, color matching, denting, and surface preparation processes.
• Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills to drive performance and continuous improvement.

About Al-Futtaim Automotive

A major division of the UAE-based Al-Futtaim Group of companies, Al-Futtaim Automotive is an industry leader with presence in 10 countries across the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

Our core business activities at Al-Futtaim Automotive include distribution, manufacturing, leasing and aftersales, and we are firmly established as the regional representative of some of the world’s most iconic automotive brands: Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, Volvo and RAM.

We are driven by a customer-centric approach, constantly pushing the boundaries on innovation, quality standards, and value-added service across our vast universe of customers - right from motoring enthusiasts to fleet operators to contractors. Our mission is to become the leader in custom-made mobility solutions by delivering nothing less than world-class omni-channel experiences.

We channel our local expertise and global trust to deliver one of the most comprehensive portfolios of mobility products and solutions, from passenger cars to SUVs, electric vehicles to high-performance motorbikes, commercial vehicles to industrial & construction equipment.

What keeps the company moving forward is a 9000-member strong team, with inspiring possibilities for growth, throughout the career path. This is Al-Futtaim Automotive and we empower talent to move forward.

About the Company

Established in the 1930's, the Al-Futtaim Group initially operated as a trading enterprise. Rapid development throughout the 1940's and 50's saw it establish itself regionally as an integrated commercial, industrial and services organisation, positioning itself one of the leading business houses in the lower Gulf region. Today, it operates collectively over 40 companies bearing the Al-Futtaim name, dominates many market segments in the UAE, and has expanded its sphere of operation to include Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Egypt.

The Group comprises a diverse range of strategically positioned operating subsidiaries and associate companies, structured to give the Al-Futtaim Group the flexibility and versatility to keep ahead of local competition while keeping pace with the ever-evolving global business scenario. The Groups continued investment in world-class systems technology is clear evidence of its commitment to maintain leading edge performance and service delivery.

The success of the Al-Futtaim Group can be attributed to a business approach that combines the ability to change with the traditional values of integrity, service and social responsibility that define its core business philosophy. This, linked with the Groups belief in decentralisation, gives the heads of the operating companies a high degree of functional autonomy and authority, providing the Group with essential flexibility, and individual employees a clearly defined work culture and sense of responsibility.