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 Sunderland
A local district in the county of Tyne and Wear, Sunderland is situated at the mouth of the River Wear and for hundreds of years, the region served as a port, mainly trading products like coal and salt.
Throughout the Industrial Revolution, Sunderland's economy was based on industries like brewing, glassmaking, pottery and rope making.
From the 14th century onwards, Sunderland was also an important place for shipbuilding. In 1814, there were 24 shipyards in the region and by 1840 this number had risen to 65. By the middle of the 20th century, a significant portion of the country's merchant and naval ships were produced here.
The last of the shipyards, however, closed in 1988 and much of the other heavy industry has also disappeared from the region. Today, the economy of Sunderland is now mainly based in the service sector, although a number of factories and production facilities still exist.
Those seeking Fleet Manager roles in Sunderland will have a range of options to consider and a number of companies operate regional offices, warehouses and other facilities in the region - including Littlewoods and LG Electronics.
Berghaus, an outdoor clothing manufacturer has its head office in Sunderland and so does Arriva, the public transport company. The 2 Sisters Food Group, which supplies poultry, fish, chilled and frozen items and bakery goods to supermarkets, also has a site here.
Meanwhile the Nissan car plant in Sunderland is the largest factory of its kind in the UK and produces vehicles like the Micra, Note and Qashqai.
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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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