Getting a fleet manager job.

How did you get your start doing fleet manager work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

being a diesel mechanic with a high level of ambition, i made my mark in the field as a good mechanic. i then moved on with a company to take care of a fleet of 42 trucks entirely on my own. once things were going well, i was put in charge of budget related issues, the accurate accounting po system and other fleet related things. at this point i asked for a raise and a title other than fleet mechanic. now i am out of the hands on field all together and do only office work and have all of the locations report to me about fleet related issues. i am in charge of purchasing the new trucks based on what i think from a mechanical stand point, customer service after purchase, price. i manage over 300 truck and 200 forklifts. like is good as a diesel mechanic/fleet mechanic/fleet manager. i love my career.

Host said: How did you get your start doing fleet manager work, and what career moves did you make to get to your current position?

Do you need a particular educational background?

I highly recommend automotive-truck~mechanical experience, as well as a knowledge of compliance (DOT,OSHA, etc) as well as the understanding of what you are managing.

AND, good people/leadership skills. There is a critical transition that needs to be made to be successful in management. Technical expert into manager/leader. Most folks struggle with this as people are not like a hydrostatic driven driven lift. Do some research on this subject. Google: leader vs. manager.