Published: 19 November 2025 / Article updated: 19 November 2025
Hire Controller / Admin Job Vacancy
Permatt Forklift Trucks Ltd is excited to announce a new opportunity for a highly organised and customer-focused Hire Controller / Administrator to join our busy team at our Hebburn location. This key role supports the smooth running of our hire operations, ensuring customers receive fast, efficient and reliable service from enquiry through to delivery and collection.
We are looking for a proactive individual with strong communication skills and a flair for coordination, who can manage multiple priorities while maintaining excellent attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
If you take pride in delivering outstanding customer service and enjoy being at the centre of a dynamic operational team, we’d be delighted to hear from you.
Permatt Forklift Trucks Ltd was established in 1981 and has grown to be one of the largest independent material-handling suppliers in the UK. We have grown to provide our services nationwide.
Job Description
We are seeking a proactive and highly organised Hire Controller / Admin to join our growing hire operations team at our Hebburn location. This pivotal role will involve coordinating hire enquiries, bookings, deliveries & collections, managing availability of our hire fleet, and supporting the office administration of the hire department.
As the central point of contact for customers seeking hire of our forklift trucks and material-handling equipment, you will ensure that our hire service runs smoothly, efficiently and with excellent customer service at its heart.
Responsibilities include (but are not limited to)
Responsibilities: Handle incoming hire enquiries via phone and email – converting them into confirmed bookings. Prepare hire quotes, process bookings and generate all related paperwork. Schedule delivery and collection of equipment, monitor fleet availability and allocate appropriately. Liaise closely with the workshop team to ensure equipment is prepared, maintained and ready for hire. Update internal systems (hire management, CRM) and ensure accurate data on fleet status. Support the service and field teams as required by assigning jobs, running service diary activities. Build strong relationships with new and existing customers, resolving any queries or issues in a prompt and professional manner. Work collaboratively with other internal departments (service, sales, accounts) to ensure a cohesive customer experience.
Person Specification
Previous experience in a hire, logistics, rental or service coordination role.
Excellent organisational and multitasking skills, confident working in a busy environment.
Strong customer-service skills with ability to communicate clearly and professionally.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and a willingness to learn internal systems.
Strong team-player mindset with a solution-focused attitude and ability to remain calm under pressure.
Experience within material-handling, plant hire or forklift rental sectors.
Familiarity with hire/rental management systems or CRM.
Full UK driving licence.
Hours of Work: Normal working hours are 08:00am to 5:00pm from Monday to Thursday and 08:00am to 4:00pm on Friday, with one hour off for lunch each day.
Salary: From £12.50 per hour (depending on experience) at the start of hire desk operations.
Location: Hebburn Branch – NE31
Benefits
- Company pension plan
- holiday entitlement
- ongoing training and development
- friendly supportive working environment
Contract Type: Permanent, full-time or part-time considered.
We look forward to hearing from you and potentially welcoming you to our team.
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