ASSISTANT DIRECTOR PANEL BEATING AND MECHANICAL

The Assistant Director for Panel Beating and Mechanical role is a supervisory position within the Fleet Maintenance directorate, based in Bedfordview, where the successful candidate will take charge of all vehicle body repair and panel beating operations for the department. This post is central to keeping the government fleet roadworthy, safe, and operationally available, particularly after accidents or mechanical damage. The position reports within a public sector fleet environment and demands a blend of technical workshop expertise, contractor management, and administrative governance. It is a level 09 post, meaning it carries significant managerial responsibility and is suitable for a seasoned professional with a strong background in automotive repair and workshop supervision.

To be considered, applicants need a minimum three-year National Diploma at NQF Level 6 in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, Transport Management, or Fleet Management, supported by three to five years of supervisory experience in vehicle repair, panel beating, fleet maintenance, or workshop management. A valid driver’s licence is essential, and a Trade Test Certificate in Panel Beating will be a distinct advantage. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of fleet management principles, vehicle body repair and restoration techniques, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, insurance and accident claim procedures, and the public sector regulatory framework. Supervisory experience is not just preferred but mandatory, as the role leads a team of panel beating staff.

The core duties are extensive and revolve around managing the full panel beating workflow. This includes directing body repair operations, coordinating the assessment and repair of accident-damaged vehicles, monitoring turnaround times to reduce fleet downtime, and allocating work to both internal staff and external service providers. The Assistant Director must verify that all repairs adhere to manufacturer specifications and quality standards, while also monitoring workshop productivity. Another key responsibility is managing contractors and service providers, which involves evaluating their performance, conducting quality and compliance inspections, recommending corrective action for underperformers, and facilitating review meetings to ensure safety, environmental, and quality standards are met. The role also oversees the entire accident repair process, from inspecting damaged vehicles and approving repair quotations to liaising with insurance companies and assessors, monitoring progress, resolving challenges, and verifying roadworthiness before vehicles are released. Record-keeping of accident repair costs and trends is essential.

Financial management forms a major part of the job, with the Assistant Director required to monitor expenditure, analyse repair costs to identify savings, verify invoices, prepare budget forecasts and expenditure reports, and recommend strategies for cost optimisation. In addition, the role ensures fleet compliance and governance by implementing relevant policies, enforcing occupational health and safety requirements, monitoring adherence to fleet management regulations, and facilitating internal and external audits. The human resources component involves supervising and developing panel beating personnel, conducting performance reviews, identifying training needs, promoting discipline and teamwork, and ensuring compliance with HR policies. This is a demanding, multi-faceted position that requires both technical competence and strong management acumen.

The employing department is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and preference may be given to appointable applicants from underrepresented designated groups in line with its equity plan. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Shortlisted candidates should be prepared for security vetting, including criminal record checks, citizenship status verification, credit worthiness checks, reference checks, and qualification verification. Foreign qualifications must be evaluated by the South African Qualifications Authority. If the position falls within the SMS category, the applicant must note the pre-entry programme requirements and possible competency assessments. Correspondence is limited to successful candidates, and all application instructions and closing dates are provided separately on the official application portal.