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.
Job description samples for similar positions
If the job description for the Fleet Manager does not suit your needs, view descriptions for related professions: