Frikkie Briers
Service Manager
Witbank,MP
Summary
I completed Standard 10 at THS Sasolburg and underwent two years of military training, developing discipline and resilience. I pursued Mechanical Engineering studies at Vaal Technicon for one year. In 1989, I began my apprenticeship at Anglo American’s Vaal Reefs mine, qualifying as a Technician in 1993 and working in their workshops until 1995. From 1995 to 2003, I was a Technician at Clover Heilbron, maintaining vehicle fleets. After Clover’s technical division was contracted to Imperial Flexi Fleet in 2003, I transitioned to Service Manager at Clover Ixopo (2003–2006), managing a fleet of 40+ vehicles, and then at Clover Boksburg (2006–2008), leading a team of 20. Seeking retail experience, I joined Sandown Fuso/Freightliner (Mercedes Dealership) as Service Manager from 2008 to 2019, managing a team of 19 until the Freightliner withdrawal led to a merger with Sandown Mercedes Trucks (2019–2020). In 2020, during a Section 189 retrenchment process at Sandown, I joined Bidvest in Witbank as Service Manager, where I currently lead workshop operations. I’m technically minded, excel in problem-solving, and am a team player dedicated to staff growth.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
After Sales Manager
Mccarthy Kunene Mercedes-Benz
09.2020 - Current
- Lead a team of 19, including 3 service advisors, 2 warranty and costing clerks, 1 service admin manager, 1 foreman, 1 quality controller, 1 storeman, 9 technicians, and 4 apprentices, ensuring seamless workshop operations.
- Consistently meet or exceed monthly budget targets by optimizing resource allocation, driving service revenue, and controlling costs.
- Ensure strict compliance with Bidvest health and safety standards, maintaining a safe, efficient, and audit-ready work environment.
- Coordinate and implement staff training programs aligned with Mercedes-Benz standards, enhancing technical expertise and service quality.
- Oversee warranty submissions, ensuring accurate and timely processing within Mercedes-Benz guidelines to maximize claim approvals.
- Develop and forecast annual budgets, aligning financial strategies with dealership objectives and market trends.
- Maintain proactive communication with Mercedes-Benz head office, ensuring adherence to brand protocols and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
- Foster a positive workplace culture through effective leadership, conflict resolution, and team-building initiatives, resulting in high staff morale and retention.
- Monitor vehicle standing time and parts availability, implementing strategies to minimize downtime and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Drive customer relationship management by addressing client concerns, ensuring high service standards, and maintaining strong satisfaction ratings.
- Implement process improvements to streamline workshop operations, reducing turnaround times and increasing productivity.
- Prepare and analyze performance reports, providing actionable insights to senior management to support strategic decision-making.
Service Manager
Sandown Mercedes - Benz
09.2008 - 09.2020
- Lead a team of 35, including 3 service advisors, 2 warranty and costing clerks, 1 service admin manager, 2 foreman's, 1 quality controller, 1 storeman, 15 technicians, and 10 apprentices, ensuring efficient workshop operations for Fuso and Freightliner vehicles.
- Consistently achieve monthly budget targets by optimizing resource allocation, driving service revenue, and controlling operational costs.
- Ensure compliance with Sandown health and safety standards, maintaining a safe and audit-ready work environment.
- Coordinate staff training programs aligned with Mercedes-Benz and Fuso/Freightliner standards, enhancing technical expertise and service quality.
- Oversee warranty submissions, ensuring accurate and timely processing within brand guidelines to maximize claim approvals.
- Develop and forecast annual budgets, aligning financial strategies with dealership objectives and market demands.
- Maintain proactive communication with Mercedes-Benz and Fuso/Freightliner head offices, ensuring adherence to brand protocols and fostering strong stakeholder relationships.
- Foster a positive workplace culture through effective leadership, conflict resolution, and team-building initiatives, resulting in high staff morale and retention.
- Monitor vehicle standing time and parts availability, implementing strategies to minimize downtime and enhance customer satisfaction.
- Drive customer relationship management by addressing client concerns, ensuring high service standards, and maintaining strong satisfaction ratings.
- Implement process improvements to streamline workshop operations, reducing turnaround times and increasing productivity.
- Prepare and analyze performance reports, providing actionable insights to senior management to support strategic decision-making.
- Monitor customer accounts, ensuring timely payments and maintaining positive account balances to support financial stability and client trust.
Service Manager
Imperial Flexi Fleet
09.1994 - 08.2008
- Technician at Clover Heilbron (1994 – 2003)
Performed maintenance and repairs on a fleet of vehicles, ensuring operational reliability and compliance with safety standards.
Diagnosed and resolved mechanical and electrical issues, minimizing downtime and maintaining fleet efficiency.
Collaborated with technical teams to implement preventive maintenance schedules, extending vehicle lifespan.
Contributed to the transition of Clover Technical to Imperial contract in 2003, ensuring seamless service continuity. - Service Manager at Clover Ixopo (2003 – 2006)
Managed a fleet of approximately 40 horses (prime movers) and trailers, overseeing maintenance, repairs, and operational readiness.
Led a team of technicians and support staff, ensuring efficient fleet operations and adherence to Clover’s standards.
Achieved monthly budget targets by optimizing maintenance schedules, controlling costs, and maximizing vehicle uptime.
Ensured compliance with health and safety regulations, maintaining a safe and audit-ready workshop environment.
Coordinated training programs for staff to enhance technical skills and align with industry standards.
Oversaw warranty and repair documentation, ensuring accurate and timely submissions to meet contractual requirements.
Developed and forecasted annual maintenance budgets, aligning with Clover’s operational goals.
Maintained communication with Clover’s head office, ensuring adherence to protocols and fostering stakeholder relationships.
Fostered a positive team culture through leadership and team-building, resulting in high staff morale and productivity.
Monitored vehicle downtime and parts availability, implementing strategies to minimize delays and ensure fleet reliability.
Drove customer relationship management by addressing client concerns and maintaining high service standards.
Implemented process improvements to streamline fleet maintenance, reducing turnaround times and increasing efficiency.
Prepared performance reports, providing insights to management to support strategic fleet management decisions. - Service Manager at Clover Boksburg (2006 – 2008)
Supervise a team of 20, including technicians, support staff, and administrative personnel, ensuring efficient fleet operations for Clover’s vehicle fleet.
Consistently meet monthly budget targets by optimizing maintenance processes, controlling costs, and maximizing fleet availability.
Ensure compliance with Clover and industry health and safety standards, maintaining a safe and efficient workshop environment.
Coordinate staff training programs to align with Clover’s technical standards, enhancing team competency and service quality.
Oversee warranty and repair documentation, ensuring accurate and timely processing to meet contractual obligations.
Develop and forecast annual budgets, aligning maintenance strategies with Clover’s operational and financial objectives.
Maintain effective communication with Clover’s head office, ensuring adherence to protocols and strong stakeholder relationships.
Foster a positive workplace culture through leadership, conflict resolution, and team-building, resulting in high staff morale and retention.
Monitor vehicle downtime and parts availability, implementing strategies to minimize delays and enhance fleet reliability.
Drive customer relationship management by addressing client concerns, ensuring high service standards, and maintaining satisfaction.
Implement process improvements to streamline fleet maintenance operations, reducing turnaround times and increasing productivity.
Prepare and analyze performance reports, providing actionable insights to senior management for strategic decision-making.
Monitor customer accounts, ensuring timely payments and maintaining positive account balances to support financial stability.
Education
No Degree - Diploma in Road Transport
R.A.U
Johannesburg 04.2001 -
No Degree - N6 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Technical College
Klerksdorp, South Africa 04.2001 -
No Degree - Diesel Trade Test
Anglo American
Klerksdorp 04.2001 -
Skills
Technical Expertise: Proficient in diagnosing and resolving complex mechanical and electrical issues, ensuring vehicle and fleet reliability across diverse commercial platforms (Mercedes-Benz, Fuso, Freightliner, and Clover fleets)
Technical Problem-Solving: Skilled at identifying root causes of technical issues, implementing effective solutions, and optimizing maintenance processes to minimize downtime and enhance operational efficiency
Team Leadership: Experienced in leading diverse teams of up to 20 staff, including technicians, advisors, and administrative personnel, fostering collaboration, high morale, and professional growth
Staff Development: Committed to coordinating and delivering training programs aligned with industry standards (eg, Mercedes-Benz, Fuso), enhancing team competency and supporting career progression
Fleet Management: Adept at overseeing maintenance and repair of large fleets (eg, 40 vehicles at Clover Ixopo), ensuring operational readiness, parts availability, and minimal downtime
Budget Management: Proven ability to achieve monthly budget targets, forecast annual budgets, and control costs while driving service revenue and operational efficiency
Timeline
After Sales Manager
Mccarthy Kunene Mercedes-Benz
09.2020 - Current
Service Manager
Sandown Mercedes - Benz
09.2008 - 09.2020
No Degree - Diploma in Road Transport
R.A.U
04.2001 -
No Degree - N6 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Technical College
04.2001 -
No Degree - Diesel Trade Test
Anglo American
04.2001 -
Service Manager
Imperial Flexi Fleet
09.1994 - 08.2008