Hire Manager

ABOUT THE ROLE

Axiom Events Ltd is one of the North East’s leading event production and rental companies, supplying Lighting, Video, Audio, Rigging and Staging equipment and services to events across the UK and overseas.

We’re looking for a Hire Manager to run our rental operation from our Middlesbrough warehouse. You’ll own the hire process from quote to return, taking responsibility for the rental desk and making sure our stock is accurate, well maintained and ready to go out. We’re looking for someone who strives for exceptional quality control, accurate asset management and is confident writing and delivery training for standard operating procedures.

We’re a forward thinking business always looking for ways to innovate and improve our operation, and the Hire Manager is a key link between the Projects and Warehouse teams. You’ll work within the operations department, primarily based between the office and warehouse with opportunity to work on site alongside your role.

This is a key role in a growing business, with real scope to shape how our hire department runs and to develop your career. It would suit someone with warehouse or rental experience and a good working knowledge of live events production. This is a technical role and existing experience in an events industry background is essential. This would suit someone looking to spend less time on the road or on site, who has exceptional data handling and operations skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Hire operations

• Run the rental desk and lead the day-to-day hire and rental operation, alongside a team of full-time, casual and freelance staff.
• Manage hire bookings with clients from quotation through to delivery, return and final invoice.
• Work closely with the Directors, Warehouse Manager and Project Management team so bookings and planning run seamlessly across departments.
• Work with the Project Management team to make sure every job is correctly budgeted and reported on. Manage shortages and sub-hires, quarantines, servicing and repairs.
• Report regularly to the Directors on hire performance, including equipment utilisation, sub-hire spend, and losses or damages. Complete settlements on rental bookings to assign accurate costs.

Stock & equipment

• Own stock control in our rental management system, keep availability accurate, run regular audits, write and amend standard operating procedures and train the team to use them consistently.
• Check in and reconcile returns, flagging missing or damaged items and following them up.
• Spot upcoming shortages early and arrange sub-hires within budget.
• Set high standards for prepping and de-prepping equipment, and help check kit in and out.
• Manage inspection and testing (including PAT records), and organise servicing, repair and maintenance with the service dept.
• Keep asset labelling consistent across barcodes, QR codes, tags and branding. Manage the stock-in process for new products and equipment, develop containers and accessories.
• Look for better processes, systems and integrations to make rental management and stock handling more efficient.

Warehouse, logistics & safety

• Assist with delivery logistics with the Operations Manager & Warehouse Manager, loading and unloading vehicles when needed.
• Keep hire paperwork complete and filed: hire agreements, prep lists and reports.
• Make sure health and safety procedures are followed across the warehouse.
• Keep equipment and consumable stores organised.
• Occasional site deliveries and rigging / de-rigging at events.

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Excellent attention to detail and organisation
• Clear, confident communication with clients and colleagues
• A strong focus on customer service
• Able to lead a team and to work on your own initiative
• A calm problem-solver who works well to deadlines
• Reliable, punctual, trustworthy and honest
• Flexible, with a can-do attitude
• Physically able to undertake the manual handling the role involves

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Experience working in a warehouse, hire or rental environment
• Working knowledge of live events equipment: Sound, Lighting, Video, Rigging or Staging
• Confident using stock control or rental management software
• Full UK Driving Licence

Desirable

• Experience of Teamtrack, Current RMS or Rentman
• Previous supervisory or team leader experience
• Forklift Truck Licence (training can be provided)
• Previous technical experience as a technician or engineer
• Interest in or knowledge of Sound, Lighting and Video

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

A full programme of training will be provided to the right person, including on our rental management system and our equipment range.