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Fleet Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

Last updated: September 27, 2023

A Fleet Manager, or Fleet Maintenance Supervisor, is responsible for leading a team of Drivers to transport company goods efficiently. Their duties include creating work schedules and transportation routes for Drivers to pick up and deliver goods to the correct location, managing a budget for vehicle repairs and replacements and ensuring Driver candidates receive proper training to uphold safe driving standards.

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Fleet Manager duties and responsibilities

A Fleet Manager performs many organizational and management tasks to monitor, maintain and improve a company’s transportation processes. Their duties and responsibilities include:

  • Purchasing vehicles to expand and/or enhance the fleet
  • Scheduling regular maintenance on all vehicles
  • Ordering urgent or emergency repairs as needed
  • Establishing efficient routes and transportation schedules
  • Coordinating Drivers and on-staff maintenance professionals when setting employee schedules
  • Managing vehicle licensure and registration
  • Ensuring all fleet members have proper licensure and up-to-date training
  • Monitoring Drivers to ensure adherence to schedules and proper driving practices
  • Searching for, hiring and training new Drivers
  • Providing reports to management on budgeting, schedules, maintenance and fleet progress
  • Developing methods to decrease cost and improve efficiency
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What does a Fleet Manager do?

Fleet Managers typically work for corporations across industries as a member of the manufacturing or operations teams to ensure efficient transportation of company products from manufacturing plants to clients or retail locations. They stay up-to-date on transportation laws and regulations to ensure they have the correct permits to transport goods. Their job is to respond quickly to changes to reroute or reschedule Drivers to maximize transportation time. They may also be responsible for working closely with the human resources department to create job descriptions and hire qualified drivers to use company vehicles.

Fleet Manager skills and qualifications

A Fleet Manager uses a variety of soft skills, technical abilities and industry knowledge to oversee the transportation team of a company, including:

  • Great written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent leadership skills, including goal-setting, motivation and training
  • Expert knowledge of best driving, delivery, vehicle maintenance and other industry practices
  • Basic math and data analysis skills
  • Familiarity with transportation scheduling and management software
  • Understanding of basic vehicle mechanics, including the ability to identify when major repairs are needed
  • Ability to set and monitor a budget
  • Good problem-solving, critical thinking and decision-making skills
  • Exceptional organization, time management and multitasking abilities
  • Keen attention to detail

Fleet Manager salary expectations

A Fleet Manager makes an average of $61,197 per year. Salary may depend on level of education, experience and geographical location.

Fleet Manager education and training requirements

Candidates should an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in logistics, business administration, automotive technology or another relevant field. Previous coursework in business administration, supply chain management, logistics and accounting provide a good foundation of industry knowledge and best practices.

Depending on the needs of the role, some candidates may be required to have a Commercial Driver’s License or other relevant vehicle or machine operator’s license. Other candidates pursue optional professional certifications that further develop their training and knowledge from organizations like the National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) or the North American Transportation Management Institute (NATMI).

Fleet Manager experience requirements

As a managerial role, candidates should have previous relevant experience working in or with a fleet, preferably within the same industry. They should have many years of experience in the transportation industry with demonstrated leadership capabilities. Fleet Manager candidates likely have completed early experience in a logistics internship or have entry-level roles in fleet operations. Some candidates may come from a Fleet Driver background and work their way up into management.

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Frequently asked questions about Fleet Managers

What is the difference between a Fleet Manager and a Fleet Service Coordinator?

The difference between a Fleet Manager and a Fleet Service Coordinator is seniority and scope of responsibilities. For example, Fleet Managers are responsible for overseeing all operations relating to transportation needs and personnel. In contrast, Fleet Service Coordinators work under the Fleet Manager to perform one or more tasks to assist in daily operations. They typically focus their efforts on scheduling vehicle repairs and maintenance check-ups to ensure their company has the maximum number of vehicles to transport goods.

What are the daily duties of a Fleet Manager?

On a typical day, a Fleet Manager starts by reviewing their Driver schedule. They contact each Driver to make sure they have the correct route details to start their journey. Fleet Managers also check their voicemail and email to respond to messages from Warehouse Managers, upper management and clients. Throughout the day, Fleet Managers communicate with Drivers to determine delivery times. They may also receive calls from Drivers who experience significant delays, roadway accidents or mechanical problems.

During downtime in their office, Fleet Managers go over their budget statement and review job applications from Driver candidates.

What qualities make a good Fleet Manager?

A good Fleet Manager has natural leadership capabilities, allowing them to effectively oversee a team of transportation professionals. They react calmly under pressure, which enables them to make intelligent decisions in response to factors like limited staffing or shipping errors. Further, a good Fleet Manager has excellent interpersonal communication that allows them to adjust their communication to speak with Drivers, Warehouse Managers, Vehicle Vendors or members of upper management.

A good Fleet Manager also values the safety of their transportation staff and other motorists on the roadway. This influences them to incorporate vehicle inspections and repairs into routine business operations.

Who does a Fleet Manager report to?

A Fleet Manager typically reports to the Director of Operations or Director of Transportation and Logistics to relay information from lower-level company employees and implement budgets based on current needs. In smaller corporations, a Fleet Manager may report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to receive instructions about how to lead a team of Drivers.

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