Fleet Manager jobs
The fleet of trucks, vans and cars is the key element of the logistics operation, so keeping it all in working order is more than vital; it’s the basis of the company’s existence. Fleet management’s aim is therefore to deal with buying new vehicles, maintaining and repairing existing ones, having the obsolete ones removed from the fleet and overseeing all the legal and business paperwork for every vehicle and act.
Fleet management is inextricably linked with the general running and success of the company. If a major new client is won, for example, new vehicles and drivers might need to be bought, and these might need to be ordered in advance; constant contact with senior management will be required to ensure that their orders do not fail to be met through lack of fleet capability.
The legal aspects of running a fleet will also be of prime importance. Tachograph data, driver hours and roadworthiness of the vehicles will be the responsibility of the fleet manager.
With fuel costs being an ever-increasing drain on revenue, the fleet manager might also be charged with striking deals with the suppliers to get the best deals; owners of large fleets can have considerable purchasing power on this front. Simultaneously seeking out efficiencies in the running of the fleet through routing, vehicle efficiency and driver aptitude will be a key element in this cost-saving drive.
The skills required
The fleet manager will require excellent analytical and planning skills to keep on top of a fleet that in large logistics operations can run into the thousands of vehicles. Each vehicle is a unique unit with its own legal and efficiency characteristics, and managing them all will need great aptitude at personnel management as well as IT skills.
As with any managerial role, being able to deal with people in a professional and courteous way and to communicate ideas simply will be key skills, regardless of their place in the corporate hierarchy. Therefore good written and spoken English will be required.
A good mind for solving problems as they arise is always useful, but in this case it will need to be backed up by solid understanding of the legislation of fleet management.
Fleet Manager Jobs in Bath
The Somerset city of Bath is a place with at least two remarkable historical periods that resonate today: the Roman and the Georgian. It was a popular Roman spa town, called Aquae Sulis, and its Roman baths not only survive to this day, they are still used, both by locals and by the many tourists who visit the city, usually as part of spa treatment. The second great era was the Georgian period, when the city regained its reputation as a spa city, and much of its iconic architecture was built, including the impressive Royal Crescent. A notable inhabitant of Bath was Jane Austen; there’s a museum dedicated to her in the city, although she notably never liked the place!
Throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Bath did have quite an important manufacturing sector, its closeness to the major port of Bristol being an important factor. As the twentieth century drew on, however, the city became rather gentrified and started to focus more on tourism, and the manufacturing sector suffered. Today many of those who work in the city have to commute from outside because of property prices.
Some industries are successful in the city, however. Publishing in particular is doing well, with Future plc, owner of over 150 magazines, being based there, as well as some book publishers such as Parragon and the mail-order company House of Bath (now owned by JD Williams). Tourism remains its greatest single employer, with restaurants, guest houses, hotels, museums and the like enjoying almost year-round visits. Although the city proper has a population of around 90,000, the area as a whole is home to close to 170,000, making it a thriving place. It is not unusual for Fleet Manager positions to appear in Bath, partly due to this large population and tourist requirements.
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Cast UK’s logistics opportunities
Our founder members and consultants all come from the logistics, procurement and supply chain sectors, so we have a great understanding of what employers and candidates are looking for. Employers trust us to create candidate shortlists because these are the sectors we deal with exclusively; they have confidence that we’ll help them find the most appropriate people for their positions.
We’re a nationwide consultancy with jobs in every county and city, so if you’re moving home, take a look at the positions available in the new region. If you’re simply looking for a career change, have a look around the site or contact us direct to start your job search. Once we have your details, you’ll be in the best possible position to find the ideal job in the future.
To find out more about how Cast UK can help you recruit a Fleet Manager for your business or find you a job as a Fleet Manager then contact one of our consultant team on 0333 121 3345.
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