Would you like to work here?

South Coast Bikes is a unique business within the UK bike industry. A specialist bicycle servicing workshop, we provide an 8am to 8pm, 7-day-a-week free collection and delivery service. 90% of bikes are returned to their owners either the same day or the day after collection. Through our Specialbike sister business we also create unique one-of-a-kind custom rebuilds.

This year over 2500 bikes will pass through our rigorous servicing process - 'The SCB System'. We only do full services, not small jobs, and when leaving our workshop every bike has been transformed both mechanically and aesthetically.

Providing this level of service to each and every one of our customers whilst processing this volume of bikes is a logistical challenge which requires a highly capable and focused team.

Working at South Coast Bikes is a job like no other within the cycle industry. Being a skilled bicycle mechanic is essential but this is just the start - becoming an effective member of the team requires many weeks of focus and concentration to learn every aspect of our procedures, workshop set-up and business model. For any prospective employee the most important characteristics are attitude and aptitude.

We work hard, and at a high tempo, but the the most important thing in life (I believe) is enjoying what you do and we try hard to make that a reality for all employees here at South Coast Bikes.

Job Title: Bicycle Mechanic

Location: South Coast Bikes, 2 Quayside Buildings, Basin Road South, Hove, BN41 1WF

Reporting to: Workshop Managers

Main role: Being a proactive and diligent member of the SCB team. Servicing bicycles to the highest standard. Learning and mastering every aspect of the workshop and its processes.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Enjoying the Job. Arriving at work fit, rested, ready and able.
2. Performing the full range of work as detailed in the 'operating manual'.
3. Processing bikes through 'The SCB System'.
4. Taking bookings, dealing with enquiries, communicating with customers. Over the phone, electronically and in person. Dealing with customers' issues and problems as required. Helping visitors to the workshop.
5. Performing detailed assessments and doing subsequent quotes on customers' bikes.
6. Writing Invoices. These are detailed and specific, therefore a high standard of written and spoken English is essential.
7. Driving the vans, making collections and deliveries. Including visiting customers at their homes and places of work and performing on site assessments and quotations.
8. Stock awareness and management.
9. End of day checks & procedures and next day planning & handover.
10. Striving for improvement, learning from others, teaching, sharing knowledge - working for the collective good.

In all - Becoming a highly capable and integral member of the workshop team.

Salary & Benefits:

• Salary commensurate with the role and experience.
• 5 day working week including a minimum of one weekend day.
• 28 days holiday a year. (7 days per quarter.)
• 37.5 hour working week. Standard working day 8.30-5.00 or 9.00-5.30 or 9.30-6.00.
• Opportunities for overtime.
• Parts at cost price + VAT.

Skills, knowledge and aptitudes

• The right candidate will have a broad range of skills in servicing and repairing all types of bicycles (excluding electric ones); they will be able to transform a bicycle both aesthetically and operationally with a detailed knowledge of parts and excellent problem solving skills.
• They will have first class time management skills, the ability to work in a dynamic, high tempo environment, and an excellent memory - all shown through their attention to detail.
• They will enjoy the challenge of servicing bicycles of all shapes and sizes whilst being highly capable of learning new procedures and understanding the complexities of a workshop stocking over a thousand different parts and servicing several thousand bikes a year.
• A highly motivated team player they will not be satisfied unless every bike processed meets our high standards, and they will be frequently looking to exceed and improve upon those standards.
• Ideally they will have an in depth knowledge of the UK bike industry, particularly from the front line of bike repairs.
• Our invoices are detailed, specific and individually written so good IT skills and first class descriptive English are essential.
• An excellent communicator, they will be able to discuss and explain to customers of all levels of understanding without being superior, alienating or blinding them with jargon. With other members of the SCB team they will be able to communicate in an engaging and professional manner.

Experience
Previous experience in a busy bike shop or workshop is a necessity for this position.

We service every type of bicycle except electric bicycles. This includes: Mountain & Road Bikes, Tourers, Hybrids, Shoppers, BMXs, Pub Bikes, BSOs, Classics, Folding Bikes, Tri Bikes, Single Speeds and Fixies, Children's Bikes and more.

A (non-exhaustive) list of the components in which experience is desirable includes:

• Brakes: 'V', Cantilevers, Calliper, Disc (Hydraulic & Mechanical), Rod and 'U'
• Gear Systems: Derailleur (from friction to 10-speed - every manufacturer and type), Internal hubs (from Classic Sturmey Archer to the latest Alfine/Nexus/Rohloff - including stripping down and rebuilding hubs).
• Wheels: truing, tensioning and building. Hub adjustment and overhaul.
• Frame and fork preparation (reaming, facing, tapping and threading).
• Headset and bottom bracket removal, adjustment and installation
• Handlebar and fork replacement and conversions.
• Shock set-up and replacement.
• Metalwork, welding.

Qualifications, education and training
CYCTECH2 or equivalent is desirable.
Any other relevant qualifications gained or training courses completed will be advantageous.
A full (ideally clean) driving licence is essential.

Personal characteristics
Desirable Characteristics:

• The ability to rapidly learn and remember a wide variety of information. Providing an easy, seamless experience for all of our customers requires every member of the SCB team to work in harmony and to understand and follow our procedures - to be an effective and valued member of the team there is a lot to learn.
• Analytical problem solving and lateral thinking.
• Seeing the bigger picture, a 'Blue Sky' thinker
• Diligent and hard working.
• Pride (taking pride in everything you do).
• Presentable, confident, able to quote and explain.
• Focus and excellent concentration.
• Does not accept second best or have a 'that'll do' attitude.
• Listening, teaching and sharing skills.

To apply, please email - jobs@southcoastbikes.co.uk

Please do NOT telephone to enquire about this position.