A fleet manager is often hired by companies that need to manage a large number of vehicles. This person may be in charge of dispatching vehicles to workers at the start of a shift and ensuring that they are returned on time. Washing and cleaning the vehicles, as well as scheduling routine maintenance, could be part of this job. This person may be called upon to file insurance claims and obtain repair estimates in the event of an accident.
The dispatching of vehicles is usually included in a fleet manager’s job description. This person may be required to sign out vehicles to employees who require their use. He could do so by entering the vehicle’s number, the driver’s name, and the time into a special database. In some cases, the manager selects a vehicle for the employee, but in others, the worker is assigned to one on a permanent basis.
Vehicles must be kept clean, so one of the fleet manager’s responsibilities may include cleaning. A manager may wash and vacuum cars himself or supervise a crew that does so. He could schedule this cleaning on a rotational basis, or he could do it whenever vehicles are returned from dispatch.
To keep their vehicles running smoothly, businesses must ensure that they are properly maintained. This means that a fleet manager could schedule routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotations. Some businesses handle this work in-house, while others outsource it. If maintenance is contracted out, this manager may keep in touch with the mechanics and negotiate contract terms with them.
If an employee is involved in an accident while driving a company vehicle, numerous reports must be filed. Obtaining police reports from an accident and filing them with an insurance carrier could be one of the fleet manager’s responsibilities. If the vehicle needs to be repaired, the manager may be asked to get estimates from local body shops.
People in this position frequently supervise others, so managerial experience is usually one of the fleet manager requirements. A high school diploma is usually sufficient, but an associate’s degree in business administration may be beneficial. Many employers demand a clean driving record because this person may be required to drive company vehicles on a regular basis.