What are the responsibilities and job description for the Fleet Manager position at Howard Fertilizer & Chemical Inc.?
Position Overview
We are seeking a hands-on Fleet Manager to oversee and optimize our transportation and equipment operations. This role is responsible for managing a sizable fleet of trailers, trucks, and material handling equipment including forklifts. This individual will own the day-to-day performance, cost efficiency, and reliability of the fleet. This is a highly operational role requiring both strategic oversight and hands-on execution.
Key Responsibilities & Duties
Fleet Operations & Asset Management
- Oversee daily operations of trucks, trailers, and equipment to ensure optimal utilization and minimal downtime
- Manage full lifecycle of fleet assets, including vehicle acquisition, leasing, registration, licensing, and disposal/remarketing
- Partner with operations to support routing, scheduling, and equipment availability
Maintenance & Repair
- Develop and manage preventive maintenance programs across all fleet assets
- Coordinate servicing and repairs with internal teams and third-party vendors
- Track maintenance history and ensure timely resolution of mechanical issues
- Minimize downtime through proactive planning and vendor management
Budgeting & Cost Control
- Develop and manage fleet-related budgets, including maintenance, fuel, and leasing costs
- Monitor and improve key cost drivers such as fuel consumption and cost per mile
- Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives across fleet operations
- Negotiate with vendors to optimize pricing and service levels
Data Analysis & Reporting
- Track and report on key metrics including utilization, downtime, fuel efficiency, and cost trends
- Build and maintain reporting to provide visibility into fleet performance for leadership
- Use data to drive operational improvements and decision-making
Vendor & Relationship Management
- Manage relationships with external vendors including maintenance providers, leasing companies, and fuel partners
- Ensure vendors meet performance, cost, and service expectations
Qualifications & Experience
- 5–10 years of experience in fleet management, transportation, or logistics
- Experience managing medium to large fleets (100 vehicles preferred)
- Strong knowledge of maintenance programs and fleet operations
- Experience with mixed fleets including trucks, trailers, and equipment (forklifts, loader and piggyback forklifts preferred)