Learn About Being a Fleet Manager
A fleet manager is an important part of any company’s operation. They work with a team to manage vehicles and drivers. In this role, they’re responsible for everything from maintenance to fuel costs and insurance.
Average Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for a fleet manager is $78,480. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story.
Fleet managers are paid more in large cities like New York City and Los Angeles, where the cost of living is higher than in other parts of the country.
Similarly, fleet managers who work for larger companies with bigger fleets will make more money than those who work for smaller companies with fewer vehicles.
Required Skills
What Does A Fleet Manager Do
- Good Communication Skills
The fleet manager must have the ability to communicate effectively with all levels of employees, as well as customers, vendors, and other decision-makers within or outside the company. They are responsible for monitoring vehicle performance and providing information on vehicle usage patterns to assist in strategic planning for future purchases.
evaluating financial performance data for each vehicle’s cost-efficiency ratio relative to its peers and determining if it is economically feasible to continue operating a particular model; identifying opportunities for improving overall efficiency; analyzing operating costs by using an appropriate criterion such as hours driven per month or miles traveled per year.
collecting sufficient data on employee driving behavior (such as excessive speeding) so that corrective action can be taken when necessary; identifying any potential safety hazards within their fleet of vehicles before they become an issue; coordinating with other departments within their organization where applicable (e.g., maintenance) so that any issues are resolved quickly without impacting productivity negatively.
The fleet manager may also be tasked with scheduling maintenance work on vehicles based on pre-defined criteria set forth by departmental policy guidelines established by senior leadership staff members in order to reduce downtime caused by mechanical breakdowns across multiple locations simultaneously.
- Strong Analytical Skills – The ability to identify areas where improvement opportunities exist; evaluate potential solutions based upon factors such as cost-effectiveness versus savings generated over time through increased efficiencies achieved through better planning strategies exercised during purchasing decisions made throughout each fiscal year cycle (typically between April 1st through March 31st).
Daily Responsibilities
In order to manage the fleet, you have to have a good understanding of what makes up the budget. This includes:
- Vehicle cost (purchase price and depreciation)
- Fuel costs (consumption per mile and fuel price)
- Maintenance costs (cost of parts, labor, and warranties)
- Repair costs (insurance claims for accidents related to vehicle maintenance or driver error)
- Insurance premiums (assumed based on mileage driven as well as the type of vehicle)
Driver training can also be a large expense if done in-house. If you’re using outside contractors or instructors, this cost is usually included in their contract but could still add up over time depending on how often they come out on site. A uniform allowance for drivers may also need to be accounted for depending on how many uniforms are needed for each employee who drives a company vehicle.
Minimum Education Requirements
- High school diploma.
- Some college.
- Bachelor’s degree in business or transportation management.
Fleet manager work environment
You work in an office space with a team of people. You’re also likely to be on the road a lot, visiting drivers and customers.
In addition to interacting with your coworkers, you’ll spend time working with other kinds of professionals such as maintenance technicians, mechanics, and dispatchers. Depending on the size of your fleet and its needs such as whether it requires specialized vehicles or equipment you may even interact with insurance companies or attorneys from time to time!
How to become a fleet manager
To become a fleet manager, you’ll need to meet certain requirements. While these requirements are different for every company and job, they typically include:
- A degree in business or logistics
- Work experience as an administrative assistant or accountant
In addition to meeting the minimum education and work experience requirements, many companies require that their fleet managers have certification from organizations such as the American Society of Employers (ASE), Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), and International Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (IACAMS). To land a job as a fleet manager, you may need to take courses on how to manage vehicles or gain professional certifications like Certified Fleet Manager (CFM).
Fleet manager job description example
A fleet manager can perform the following duties:
- Directs the day-to-day operations of a fleet.
- Oversees the maintenance and repair of vehicles.
- Works with drivers to ensure compliance with safety regulations.
- Oversees the purchase and disposal of vehicles.
- Oversees the hiring and training of new drivers
Fleet managers work with a team to manage vehicles and drivers.
A fleet manager works with a team to manage vehicles and drivers. The manager is responsible for the maintenance of the fleet and the safety of the drivers. The team may include dispatchers, technicians, mechanics, and other staff.
A fleet manager monitors vehicles in service through regular inspections as well as driver inspections. They also track fuel consumption and mileage for each vehicle based on GPS data that is collected from those systems installed in each vehicle within their fleet management program (FMIS).
Conclusion
Hopefully, this article has helped you understand a little more about what it means to be a fleet manager. We encourage you to continue your research and explore the many opportunities available in this field.
