Auto Shop Manager Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Shop Manager

Job Description

The Shop Manager oversees all maintenance operations at a workshop in S Seattle, where a team of mechanics maintains and repairs hydraulic-lift box trucks used to deliver catering to aircraft on the tarmac. This role leads the workshop team to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality maintenance, while maintaining strong financial control, meeting customer expectations, and driving continuous improvement. The Shop Manager reports to an Operations Director and serves as the primary point of contact for customers at the site.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the workshop team to deliver safe, efficient, and high-quality maintenance operations on hydraulic-lift box trucks.
• Oversee daily workflow, including vehicle turnaround times, productivity, repairs, breakdowns, and new work requirements, ensuring work orders and maintenance tracking are accurately maintained in SAP.
• Occasionally drive or ride with a mechanic to support customer vehicle pickup or drop-off as needed.
• Manage the workshop floor and associated yard, maintaining organization, cleanliness, and compliance with operational and safety standards.
• Conduct daily reviews of completed work to ensure all parts, labor, and descriptions are accurately recorded, using email and Excel for customer reports and inventory reports.
• Maintain accountability for the site’s financial performance, including ownership of the P&L, cost control, and alignment with budget and profitability targets.
• Seek required customer approvals before work begins and manage the chargeable defect authorization process, including warranty repairs and related documentation.
• Plan and manage facility upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and equipment installations, coordinating with contractors, vendors, and internal teams.
• Control costs by challenging and pre-authorizing subcontractor expenses, parts purchases, and overtime, ensuring cost-effective operations.
• Manage shift patterns, scheduling, and staff availability to meet operational needs and maintain adequate coverage.
• Address performance issues through coaching, development, feedback, and formal disciplinary processes when required.
• Onboard and induct new staff, ensuring they understand safety procedures, operational standards, and performance expectations.
• Motivate, support, and develop team members to build a reliable, accountable, and capable maintenance team.
• Act as the primary site contact for customers, ensuring service delivery meets agreed quality specifications and operational commitments.
• Ensure proper use of safety equipment, personal protective equipment (PPE), and protective devices, and promote a strong safety culture.
• Drive compliance with safety, quality, and process standards while identifying and implementing opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Ensure the workshop consistently meets productivity, quality, and turnaround expectations through effective planning and leadership.
• Prepare and interpret operational and financial information to support decision-making on equipment, maintenance, and operational needs.

Essential Skills

• Strong knowledge of maintenance shop procedures, maintenance concepts, and safety regulations.
• Experience with maintenance and repair of vehicles or heavy equipment, including hydraulics, diesel systems, and engines.
• Hands-on understanding of troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and maintenance repair practices for automotive or ground support equipment.
• Experience in managing maintenance operations, including supervision, production management, and documentation.
• 2+ years of experience leading and managing people with a focus on performance and customer satisfaction.
• Proficiency in Excel, including use of basic formulas and formatting for reports and analysis.
• Ability to create reports and presentations and to make cost/value decisions on equipment, maintenance, and operational needs.
• Demonstrated management skills, including planning, organizing, and directing workshop activities.
• Strong communication skills to interact effectively with customers, staff, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Commitment to safety and proper use of safety equipment, PPE, and protective devices.
• Ability to review and verify maintenance records, parts usage, labor entries, and work descriptions for accuracy.
• Capability to manage P&L responsibilities, control costs, and align operations with budget targets.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with vehicle fleet management or maintenance management is highly preferred.
• Experience using SAP for work orders, maintenance tracking, and related processes is highly preferred.
• Background in working with hydraulic-lift box trucks, ground support equipment, or similar heavy-duty vehicles.
• Familiarity with diesel engines, electrical systems, and auto or heavy equipment service practices.
• Comfort using hand tools and working in a hands-on maintenance environment.
• Experience preparing customer reports and inventory reports using email and Excel.
• Ability to coordinate with contractors and vendors for facility upgrades, infrastructure improvements, and equipment installations.
• Strong organizational skills to maintain an orderly workshop floor and yard.
• Experience in performance management, including coaching, development, and disciplinary processes.
• Ability to manage shift patterns and scheduling to meet operational requirements.

Work Environment

This role is based in a maintenance shop in South Seattle, supporting box trucks that primarily serve customers at SEATAC airport. The position operates on a day shift schedule, Monday through Friday. The environment is a hands-on workshop and yard setting where mechanics work on hydraulic-lift box trucks, diesel engines, and related systems using hand tools, diagnostic equipment, and maintenance software such as SAP. Work involves regular interaction with mechanics, customers, vendors, and contractors, as well as time spent on the shop floor, in the yard, and in an office area for planning, reporting, and communication. Safety standards are a priority, with required use of PPE and adherence to established safety procedures.

This is a Permanent position based out of Seattle, WA.

The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $115000.00/yr.

Health, Dental, Vision, STD/LTD, and Life Insurance, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Generous Vacation and Sick Leave, plus a 401K with matching contributions UNLIMITED REFERRAL BONUSES – because we know great people know great people!

This is a fully onsite position in Seattle,WA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

Aerotek® Inc. provides staffing and services solutions in manufacturing, logistics, construction, aviation, facilities and maintenance. We provide the expertise, solutions and people required to rise to the challenges of North American industry. Headquartered in Hanover, Md., Aerotek operates a unified network of over 200 offices across North America, supporting more than 18,000 clients each year. Aerotek is an Allegis Group company, the global leader in workforce and business solutions. To learn more, visit: Aerotek.com | 1-888-AEROTEK.

Aerotek offers weekly pay, employee benefits including medical, dental & vision, life insurance, health advocacy and employee assistance programs, a 401(k) plan, and employee discounts.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.

We know that finding work is hard, and finding meaningful work is harder. Aerotek connects 180,000+ light industrial and skilled trades workers with 14,000+ employers each year, helping our workers navigate an evolving labor market and find jobs that meet their goals, skills, and interests. Since 1983, we have provided a variety of career opportunities across North American industry – from short-term assignments at Fortune 500 companies where you can build your skills, to long-term opportunities where you can play a vital role in solving companies’ construction, manufacturing, and maintenance challenges. Our 1,500+ experienced recruiters across 250+ offices work relentlessly to put our workforce in a position to thrive. Let us rise to meet your challenges and put our people-are-everything spirit to the test as your career continues to grow.