Build Your Future With The UK's Largest Kubota Dealer

Join the UK’s Largest Kubota Dealer
Lead a great team. Drive service excellence. Build your career. 

Are you an experienced Service Manager looking for your next challenge? 

At Lister Wilder, we’re looking for an experienced Service Manager to join our team at our Bristol branch. If you have a mechanical mindset, a good head for business, strong people management skills and a passion for delivering outstanding customer service, we’d love to hear from you. 

You’ll play a key role in leading our service operation, managing customer expectations, supporting and developing our team of Engineers and ensuring we deliver a professional, efficient and profitable service. 

Whether your background is in construction, agricultural machinery, groundcare, commercial vehicles or a similar industry, we’d love to hear from you. 

Why Join Lister Wilder? 

Lead a Great Team: You’ll manage, motivate and develop our team of Engineers, helping them perform at their best and creating a positive and supportive working environment. 

Make a Difference: You’ll have responsibility for organising and prioritising workshop activity, managing customer expectations and ensuring work progresses efficiently from the initial call through to the final invoice. 

Be Commercially Focused: You’ll play an important role in achieving monthly financial targets, managing the warranty account and supporting the overall performance of the Service department. 

Work Across the Business: You’ll work closely with our Service, Parts and Sales teams to ensure we provide a joined-up service for our customers.  

Develop Your Career: We invest in our people through extensive on-the-job and formal training, with opportunities to develop your management and leadership skills as you grow in the role. 

Join a Family Business That Values Its People: Established in 1947, Lister Wilder remains a proudly family-owned business with almost 200 colleagues across Agriculture, Groundcare, Construction and Arboriculture. We’re the UK’s largest Kubota dealership and continue to invest in our people, facilities and future. 

What You’ll Be Doing 

• Lead, manage and develop the Service and Engineering team 

• Manage customer calls, expectations and service requirements 

• Organise and prioritise workshop activity to ensure work is completed efficiently 

• Monitor departmental performance and ensure monthly financial targets are achieved 

• Oversee the warranty account and ensure claims are managed effectively 

• Work closely with Parts, Sales, Workshop and Service teams to provide a joined-up customer experience 

• Support the team with problem solving and day-to-day operational challenges 

• Maintain high standards of administration, communication and customer service 

What We’re Looking For 

You’ll ideally have: 

• Experience in a similar Service or Workshop Management role 

• A sound working knowledge of machinery or a related technical industry 

• Strong people management and leadership skills 

• Excellent communication and administration skills 

• The ability to juggle multiple priorities and remain calm under pressure 

• Good commercial awareness and attention to detail 

• Confidence using IT systems and a willingness to learn new ones 

• The ability to use your own initiative and make sound decisions 

Experience in Groundcare, Construction, Agricultural or Commercial environments would be highly desirable. 

The Package 

• Competitive salary 

• Company vehicle 

• Financial and recognition rewards 

• Generous holiday allowance 

• Training and career development opportunities 

• Health, wellbeing and lifestyle support 

• Virtual GP services 

• Charity volunteering days 

• Employee wellbeing support 

• Social events and team activities 

About Lister Wilder:  Established in 1947, Lister Wilder remains a proudly family-owned business providing an end-to-end service for machinery and equipment across Agriculture, Groundcare, Construction and Arboriculture. We’re the UK’s largest Kubota dealership, supported by knowledgeable Sales, Parts and Service teams. 

With almost 200 colleagues and almost 80 years of experience, our success is built on expertise, teamwork and going the extra mile for our customers. Our vision is simple: to be the BEST, UNIFIED and SUCCESSFUL, with the customer at the heart of everything we do. 

Lead the Service Team at Lister Wilder.  If you’re an experienced manager who enjoys leading people, working with customers and making things happen, we’d love to hear from you. 

Apply today and become part of a team that puts its people and customers at the heart of what we do. 

As members of the Armed Forces Covenant, we are proud to support and welcome applications from service leavers, ex-military personnel and forces family members. 

About Your Application:  Sometimes our roles can be very popular, and therefore we reserve the right to close applications earlier than the date shown. If you’re keen to join our team, we’d love to hear from you as soon as possible. 

By applying for this job, we’ll need to gather information about you. If you would like to know more about how we use your information, please review the privacy policy on our website. 

Note for Recruitment Agencies:  Thank you for your interest in working with us however, for most of our vacancies we are able to cover our recruitment needs in-house. If you would like to submit your information, please email [email protected] and we will be in touch if assistance is required. 

Whether you’re actively seeking a new role or simply exploring what’s out there, we’d love to hear from you.

We’re always looking to connect with experienced Service Engineers across our branches in Cirencester, Bristol, Salisbury, Reading, Guildford, and Ashford. Even if we don’t have a vacancy posted at the moment, we welcome speculative applications from skilled engineers.

What We Offer

• A knowledgeable and welcoming team who are there to support you
• Varied and interesting work across a wide range of machines and equipment
• If you’re interested in a mobile role, a company van and fuel card will be provided
• Workshop based roles are also available
• The support and structure of an established branch while enjoying the independence of field-based work
• Industry-leading pay and benefits as well as overtime rates

What We Look For

While full product training is provided, we’re especially keen to hear from individuals with a solid foundation in mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic systems. Experience with Tractors, Construction or Groundcare machinery is a plus — but we’re open to hearing from those with transferable skills from related industries.

We’re interested in practical, hands-on people who enjoy solving problems and delivering excellent service to our customers.

Ideal Backgrounds Include:

• Plant, agricultural, or groundcare machinery
• Automotive or commercial vehicle servicing
• Armed Forces background (e.g. REME or Marines)
• Mechanical or electrical engineering roles across similar sectors
• Forklifts, HGVs, or other diesel-powered equipment

Key Skills:

• 3–5 years’ engineering experience or relevant apprenticeship, perhaps in land-based engineering
• Strong diagnostic, repair and fault-finding abilities
• The ability to offer an outstanding level of customer service
• Self-motivated and reliable
• Computer literate
• Full UK driving licence required

Interested in Joining Us?

Submit your CV and a short cover note telling us what you’re looking for to [email protected]

We treat every speculative enquiry with respect and confidentiality.

We’re excited to be recruiting for our 2026 Apprenticeship Scheme. If you have a passion for machinery and would like to gain an industry-recognised qualification in Land-Based Engineering (Groundcare), this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

Established in 1947, Lister Wilder is a proud, friendly, wholly owned family business, providing a complete end-to-end service for machinery and equipment across Agriculture, Groundcare, Construction, and Arboriculture. We’re home to some of the UK’s leading machinery franchises, including as the UK’s largest Kubota dealership, and are supported by highly knowledgeable Sales, Parts, and Service teams who are among the best in the industry.

Our reputation as an award-winning, professional machinery and service provider is built on nearly 80 years of experience, a strong and varied product portfolio, and most importantly, our dedicated team of almost 200 people who consistently go the extra mile.

We’re planning to welcome apprentices between June and September 2026, allowing time to settle into the business ahead of the academic year and the formal start of the apprenticeship.

For 2026, Apprenticeship opportunities will be available at the following branches:

• Reading, Berkshire. RG7 1HR
• Bibury, Gloucestershire. GL7 5LZ
• Ashford, Kent. TN24 8DH

What Will I Be Doing?

You’ll work alongside our experienced Service team, gaining hands-on experience in servicing, repairing and diagnosing a wide range of groundcare machinery.

This includes the full Kubota range such as compact tractors, utility vehicles and ride-on mowers — as well as equipment from other leading manufacturers including Timberwolf, Yamaha and Trimax.

Your role will be mainly workshop-based to begin with. As your skills and confidence develop, you’ll have the opportunity to start visiting customer sites with a qualified engineer. You’ll also spend time with our Parts and Warranty teams, helping you to understand the aftersales process and how we support our customers.

This is a full time position, working 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday with one hour for lunch.

The apprenticeship duration is 48 months, with around 36 weeks on college block release.

Why Should I Apply?

If you’re interested in machinery and engineering, this apprenticeship is a great way to earn while you learn. You’ll get hands-on experience, work with the latest machinery and technology, and gain an industry-recognised qualification through a Kubota-backed programme.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Maths and English are desirable but not essential.  These key skills can be completed alongside the qualification.
• Working towards or holding a UK driving licence is helpful
• You don’t need prior experience – just a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• You’ll be a good fit if you:
  • Enjoy practical, hands-on work and problem-solving
  • Are interested in machinery, mechanics, or engineering
  • Are reliable, punctual, and take pride in your work
  • Can work well as part of a team
  • Can provide an excellent level of customer service

Training, Qualifications & Career Progression

As an apprentice with Lister Wilder, you’ll gain valuable skills, qualifications, and career opportunities, including:

• Level 3 City & Guilds Extended Diploma in Land-Based Technology – Groundcare (equivalent to 3 A Levels)
• Hands-on practical work alongside classroom-based theory
• Training from Kubota factory-trained experts
• Access to modern workshops, machinery, tools, and IT systems
• College block release at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi, Wales, with accommodation, travel, and meals covered — plus you continue to receive your normal salary
• Extra technical training and visits to manufacturer sites
• Additional safety and technical qualifications, such as telescopic handler, abrasive wheels, and welding
• Training covering workshop practices, engines, electronics, hydraulics, and transmission systems
• Clear path to a full Service Engineer role which may include a company vehicle and independent site work

Benefits You’ll Enjoy

As an Apprentice at Lister Wilder, you’ll be part of a supportive, welcoming team and enjoy a range of rewards and perks designed to support your development, wellbeing, and work-life balance, including:

• Financial and recognition rewards – including bonus schemes, sickness pay and pension support
• Tools, equipment and training – access to the latest equipment, workshops, and extensive training to build your skills and career
• Health and wellbeing support – including eye care, access to mental and physical wellbeing support, and 24/7 GP services
• Time off and work-life balance – annual leave plus Bank Holidays, charity volunteering days, and flexible perks
• Lifestyle and social benefits – on-site parking, cycle to work scheme, team and company social events

 About Your Application

Our roles can often be in high demand, and therefore we reserve the right to close applications earlier than the date shown. If you’re keen to join our team, we’d love to hear from you as soon as possible.

By applying for this job, we’ll need to gather information about you. If you would like to know more about how we use your information, please review the privacy policy on our website.