Service Manager – Senior Gate Engineer
Location: Hertfordshire (SG8 0NZ)
Working Pattern: Primarily office-based with occasional site visits
Salary: Circa £52,000 per annum
Lead. Develop. Grow the Department. Drive Technical Excellence.
Our client is seeking an experienced Service Manager – someone with proven success running a technical service department in the gate automation, access control, or related electro-mechanical field. This isn’t about maintaining the status quo, they need a leader who will refine their processes, mentor the team and actively scale the department to meet increasing demand.
If you’re currently leading a service team or managing Field Engineers and want to take full ownership of a department shaping its direction, developing your people, and still staying close to the engineering detail – this role offers the perfect balance.
The Role
As Service Manager, you’ll take full responsibility for the performance, development, and technical standards of our client’s Service Department. You’ll be the bridge between technical excellence and operational growth. You’ll be leading a skilled team (Engineers and admin), ensuring exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
You’ll act as the technical authority, guiding Engineers on complex faults and ensuring best practice across safety, quality, and compliance. You’ll also play a key role in shaping the department’s future, identifying opportunities to expand services, improve processes, and support the company’s ongoing growth.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, mentor and develop Engineers and administrative staff within the service function.
- Act as the main technical escalation point for complex troubleshooting and fault resolution.
- Oversee day-to-day operations, resource planning, and workflow to ensure efficiency and quality.
- Maintain strong client relationships, ensuring a responsive and professional service at all times.
- Prepare quotations for service work, repairs and system upgrades.
- Attend site as required to support Engineers, verify technical standards, or liaise with clients.
- Ensure compliance with Health and amp; Safety and industry regulations (including DHF standards).
- Monitor KPIs, manage stock and service resources effectively.
- Conduct regular 1:1s and performance reviews, encouraging a motivated and high-performing team.
- Identify opportunities to enhance the department’s capabilities and profitability.
About You
You’re an experienced leader with a strong technical foundation and genuine enthusiasm for developing both people and processes. You lead by example, firm but fair, with a focus on clear communication and efficiency. You understand the realities of service work, from field challenges to customer expectations, and you bring structure, consistency, forward-thinking, and solution focused leadership to drive success.
Essential Requirements:
- Proven experience managing or leading a service, maintenance or technical department.
- Strong technical background within gate automation, access control, or comparable electro-mechanical systems.
- Excellent diagnostic and fault-finding skills.
- Confident mentoring and supporting Engineers both on-site and remotely.
- Commercial awareness and customer-focused approach.
- Excellent communication and organisational skills.
- Strong IT literacy (Excel, Word, service management software).
- Full UK driving licence.
- Working knowledge of DHF gate safety standards (qualification preferred).
What Our Client Offers
- Salary circa £52,000 per annum.
- Performance related bonus.
- Private healthcare.
- Senior leadership role within an established and growing company.
- A chance to truly “own” the department and shape its future.
- Supportive, professional environment.
- Hybrid flexibility after probation.
Ready to Lead the Next Stage of Growth
If you’ve successfully led a technical service function and are ready to build, develop, and drive a department to the next level, while keeping your technical edge, our client would love to hear from you
