Head Mechanic Position Summary The Head Mechanic is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair, reliability, and overall mechanical condition of the company’s fleet of vehicles and equipment.

This position is both hands-on and supervisory. The Head Mechanic is expected to diagnose and repair equipment when required, while also coordinating maintenance priorities, scheduling repairs, managing parts and inventory, supporting field crews, and ensuring equipment is safe and available when operations require it.

The primary objective of the position is to maximize equipment uptime while controlling repair costs and preventing avoidable breakdowns.

Key Responsibilities Fleet Maintenance and Repair

- Diagnose, troubleshoot, repair, and maintain company vehicles, trucks, trailers, heavy equipment, and small equipment.
- Perform and oversee preventive maintenance, inspections, servicing, and scheduled repairs.
- Ensure maintenance is completed according to manufacturer recommendations and company standards.
- Identify developing mechanical issues before they result in breakdowns or major repairs.
- Respond to equipment breakdowns and coordinate field repairs when required.
- Determine whether repairs should be completed internally or outsourced to a dealer or specialty repair facility.
- Verify that completed repairs have corrected the original problem before equipment is returned to service.

Maintenance Planning
- Develop and maintain a preventive maintenance program for the company fleet.
- Monitor hours, kilometres, service intervals, inspections, and maintenance history.
- Schedule maintenance to minimize disruption to field operations.
- Prioritize repairs based on safety, operational requirements, equipment availability, and cost.
- Coordinate with operations and supervisors regarding equipment availability and upcoming maintenance.
- Identify recurring equipment problems and recommend corrective action.

Shop Leadership
- Provide direction and technical support to mechanics, apprentices, and shop personnel.
- Assign daily repair and maintenance priorities.
- Monitor the quality and productivity of work completed in the shop.
- Ensure mechanics properly document repairs, inspections, parts used, and labour performed.
- Help train and develop less-experienced mechanics.
- Establish expectations for workmanship, organization, cleanliness, and accountability.
- Maintain an orderly and professional shop environment.





Parts and Inventory Management
- Maintain appropriate inventory of commonly required parts, fluids, filters, fittings, tires, and repair materials.
- Order parts and coordinate with suppliers as required.
- Reduce unnecessary emergency parts purchases and equipment downtime.
- Track high-cost repairs and major component replacements.
- Identify opportunities to standardize parts and reduce maintenance costs.
- Ensure warranty repairs and warranty-covered components are properly identified and submitted where applicable.

Equipment Inspections and Safety
- Ensure company vehicles and equipment are maintained in safe operating condition.
- Remove unsafe equipment from service when necessary.
- Ensure required inspections and maintenance records are completed.
- Monitor deficiencies identified during operator inspections and ensure they are corrected.
- Support compliance with company safety policies and applicable transportation and workplace safety requirements.
- Ensure proper procedures are followed for lifting, welding, grinding, electrical work, hydraulic repairs, and other shop activities.

Fleet Cost Control
- Monitor maintenance and repair costs by vehicle or piece of equipment.
- Identify equipment that is becoming unreliable or excessively expensive to maintain.
- Provide recommendations regarding repair versus replacement.
- Review major proposed repairs before significant costs are incurred.
- Help evaluate recent and used equipment before purchase when requested.
- Work with management to improve fleet utilization and reduce unnecessary downtime.

Operational Support
- Maintain regular communication with operations regarding equipment condition and availability.
- Assist field supervisors with troubleshooting equipment problems.
- Coordinate emergency repairs during the construction season.
- Prepare equipment for seasonal startup and shutdown.
- Ensure critical equipment is ready before major projects or scheduled work.

Authority The Head Mechanic has the authority to:




- Remove equipment from service when it is unsafe or at risk of serious mechanical failure.
- Prioritize shop work load based on safety and operational requirements.
- Recommend that repairs be outsourced when specialized expertise or equipment is required.
- Recommend equipment replacement where continued repair is no longer economical.
- Request operators or supervisors provide equipment for required maintenance or inspection.

Major purchases and significant repairs remain subject to management approval according to company purchasing policies.

Qualifications

- Strong experience as a heavy-duty mechanic, truck mechanic, equipment technician, or similar role.
- Extensive knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulics, electrical systems, air systems, brakes, drivetrains, and construction equipment.
- Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting ability.
- Experience working with commercial trucks, trailers, pickups, and construction equipment.
- Previous supervisory or lead-hand experience is preferred.
- Ability to prioritize multiple repairs in a fast-paced seasonal construction environment.
- Strong organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to maintain accurate maintenance records.
- Valid driver’s licence required.
- Journeyperson certification in Heavy Duty Equipment Technician, Truck and Transport Mechanic, or equivalent experience is considered a strong asset.

Performance Expectations Success in this position will be measured by:
- Fleet availability and equipment uptime.
- Reduction in preventable breakdowns.
- Completion of preventive maintenance on schedule.
- Quality and reliability of repairs.
- Shop productivity and turnaround time.
- Maintenance cost control.
- Accuracy of maintenance records.
- Parts and inventory management.
- Condition and organization of the shop.
- Communication with operations and management.
- Development and accountability of shop personnel.

Working Conditions This position involves a combination of shop work, field repairs, troubleshooting, planning, and supervision.

During the construction season, the Head Mechanic may be required to respond to urgent breakdowns or operational issues outside normal working hours.

The position requires frequent standing, bending, lifting, climbing, working around heavy equipment, and working in varying weather conditions when completing field repairs.

Pay: $30.00-$43.00 per hour

Work Location: In person

📌 Heavy Duty Mechanic (Winnipeg)
🏢 OB1 Contracting
📍 Winnipeg