General Manager

General Manager – JAG Autobody Repair Centre Ltd

Location: Rathcoole, Co. Dublin
Job type: Full-time, permanent
Salary: €60,000–€80,000 per year, depending on experience
Bonus: Performance bonus structure

The Opportunity

JAG Autobody is looking for an experienced General Manager to lead the day-to-day running of our vehicle body repair business.

We need someone who can bring structure to a busy workshop, lead the team, maintain high repair standards and take ownership of commercial performance. You will oversee the full repair journey, from initial enquiry and assessment through to repair completion, invoicing and vehicle handover.

This role would suit an experienced Bodyshop Manager, Accident Repair Centre Manager or automotive operations leader with a strong understanding of vehicle body repairs and a track record of improving business performance.

About JAG Autobody

JAG Autobody Repair Centre Ltd is based in Rathcoole, providing vehicle body repair and preparation services.

Our focus is on quality workmanship, reliable turnaround times and clear communication. We want every job to be properly assessed, planned, completed and checked, with customers kept informed throughout.

The General Manager will work closely with the ownership and leadership team to strengthen operations, develop the team and support business growth.

Role Purpose

Take responsibility for the overall performance of JAG Autobody, ensuring the workshop operates safely, efficiently and profitably.

You will bring together repair planning, workshop production, parts, customer communication and administration so that each job has a clear owner, an agreed completion plan and accurate supporting records.

Key ResponsibilitiesBusiness and Workshop Operations

• Manage the daily running of the business, setting clear priorities across the workshop and office.
• Plan workshop capacity, job allocation and staffing around repair requirements and agreed completion dates.
• Coordinate panel beating, preparation, painting, assembly and final quality checks.
• Monitor work in progress and address delays involving parts, approvals, staffing or repair complexity.
• Ensure repair estimates, job cards, authorisations and completion records are accurate and up to date.
• Hold regular production meetings so the team understands priorities, deadlines and outstanding actions.
• Maintain an organised operation with clear accountability at every stage of the repair process.

Commercial and Financial Performance

• Take ownership of revenue, gross margin, labour performance and operating-cost control.
• Monitor labour hours, parts, paint and material costs against estimates and completed work.
• Review job profitability and identify avoidable losses, rework and missed charges.
• Ensure additional damage or changes to repair scope are documented and approved before work proceeds.
• Oversee timely, accurate invoicing and support the finance team with outstanding queries.
• Agree practical performance targets with the leadership team and deliver improvement plans.
• Make purchasing, overtime and resource decisions with a clear understanding of their financial impact.

Customer and Business Relationships

• Ensure customers receive realistic repair timelines and regular progress updates.
• Act as the senior escalation point for complaints, delays and repair queries.
• Build and maintain relationships with customers, suppliers, fleet partners and insurers or assessors where applicable.
• Ensure agreed repair authorisations, documentation and service requirements are followed.
• Oversee professional vehicle handovers, with completed work clearly explained.
• Identify opportunities to develop repeat business and strengthen commercial relationships.

People Leadership

• Lead the workshop and administration team, setting clear responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Work closely with senior technical staff to maintain repair quality and resolve production issues.
• Manage recruitment, onboarding, attendance, development and performance with HR support.
• Identify skills gaps and arrange appropriate training.
• Address performance and conduct concerns fairly and promptly.
• Build a team culture based on accountability, respect, communication and pride in workmanship.

Quality, Safety and Site Standards

• Ensure repairs follow appropriate manufacturer methods and agreed technical standards.
• Maintain clear inspection and quality-control processes before vehicles are released.
• Monitor repeat repairs and customer concerns, addressing their underlying causes.
• Oversee workshop housekeeping, equipment maintenance and safe working practices.
• Ensure suitable controls are followed for welding, spray painting, hazardous substances, vehicle movement and other workshop activities.
• Maintain accurate training, inspection and maintenance records.
• Ensure repair quality and safety remain central to operational decisions.

Systems and Business Improvement

• Introduce practical processes for estimating, scheduling, parts ordering, approvals and repair tracking.
• Establish a weekly review of operational and financial performance.
• Improve communication between the workshop, office, suppliers and customers.
• Identify equipment, staffing and training needs, supported by a clear business case.
• Document key procedures and ensure they are consistently followed.
• Work with the leadership team to plan sustainable business growth.

What Good Performance Looks Like

• Repairs progress through the workshop with clear ownership and fewer avoidable delays.
• Completion dates reflect available capacity and repair requirements.
• Customers receive timely updates and accurate information.
• Labour, parts and material costs are understood and controlled.
• Completed work is invoiced promptly, with the required approvals and documentation.
• Quality checks are consistent, with fewer avoidable repeat repairs.
• Employees understand their responsibilities and receive regular feedback.
• The workshop remains safe, organised and well maintained.

Who We Are Looking For

• Proven management experience in a bodyshop, accident repair centre or closely related automotive operation.
• A strong understanding of body repair processes, including panel repairs, preparation, refinishing and quality control.
• Experience managing workshop production, repair turnaround times and work in progress.
• Commercial awareness, with experience managing budgets, margins, labour performance and costs.
• Confidence reviewing repair estimates, authorisations and job profitability.
• Strong people-management skills, including recruitment, coaching and performance management.
• Clear communication and sound judgement under pressure.
• The ability to introduce practical systems and follow through on agreed actions.
• Confidence using workshop management systems, spreadsheets and performance reports.
• A full, valid driving licence.

Experience with insurance repairs, estimating systems, fleet customers or developing commercial accounts would be an advantage.

A relevant automotive or body repair qualification would also be beneficial.

Your First 90 Days

You will be expected to:

• Review the team, current workload, repair processes and customer commitments.
• Establish a clear daily production meeting and weekly performance review.
• Improve visibility of every live repair, including its status, outstanding actions and expected completion date.
• Review estimating, authorisation, parts ordering and invoicing processes.
• Establish a baseline for revenue, margin, productivity, turnaround times and repeat repairs.
• Identify priority safety, equipment, staffing and training needs.
• Agree a practical improvement plan with the leadership team.

Reward and Opportunity

• €60,000–€80,000 base salary, depending on experience.
• Performance bonus structure
• Employee assistance programme.
• On-site parking.
• The opportunity to shape the operation and contribute directly to the development of JAG Autobody.

Work location: In person, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin.

To apply, send your CV and contact details to [email protected]

Pay: €60,000.00-€80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company events
• Employee assistance program
• Employee discount
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person