The Senior Manager, Fleet Operations is responsible for the strategic leadership, planning, development, and performance of the Company's fleet and asset management program across all operating locations. This role oversees the fleet function from a high-level perspective, ensuring vehicles, equipment, systems, and resources are aligned with organizational objectives while driving operational efficiency, cost control, compliance, and long-term fleet sustainability.
Reporting to executive leadership, the Senior Manager, Fleet Operations is accountable for establishing and executing a comprehensive fleet strategy, overseeing asset lifecycle management, managing capital planning initiatives, and leading continuous improvement efforts across the department.
This position will play a critical role in transforming the Company's fleet operations from a reactive maintenance model to a proactive, data-driven operation focused on planning, forecasting, standardization, accountability, and operational excellence.
The Senior Manager, Fleet Operations provides leadership and direction to the Fleet Manager and fleet support personnel while partnering closely with Operations, Service, Production, Finance, Health & Safety, and Branch Leadership teams.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Fleet Leadership
- Develop and implement a long-term fleet and asset management strategy aligned with Company growth objectives.
- Establish annual fleet goals, performance metrics, and departmental priorities.
- Create and maintain a multi-year vehicle and equipment replacement plan.
- Forecast future fleet requirements based on operational demands, business growth, and utilization trends.
- Identify opportunities to improve fleet performance, reliability, safety, and cost efficiency.
- Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all fleet-related processes.
Asset Lifecycle Management
- Oversee the acquisition, deployment, utilization, maintenance, replacement, and disposal of fleet assets.
- Develop standardized specifications for vehicles and equipment across operating divisions.
- Evaluate fleet utilization and recommend right-sizing strategies to maximize efficiency.
- Implement lifecycle management practices to optimize asset performance and reduce total cost of ownership.
- Ensure accurate asset tracking and inventory management across all locations.
Financial Management & Capital Planning
- Develop and manage annual fleet operating and capital budgets.
- Lead fleet capital planning activities, including vehicle replacement forecasting and equipment investments.
- Conduct cost-benefit analyses for vehicle purchases, leasing programs, equipment upgrades, and technology investments.
- Monitor and report on fleet-related expenditures, operating costs, fuel consumption, maintenance trends, and asset utilization.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Fleet Operations & Maintenance Oversight
- Provide strategic oversight of preventative maintenance programs.
- Establish fleet maintenance standards and performance expectations.
- Monitor equipment reliability, downtime, and maintenance compliance metrics.
- Ensure fleet operations support production, service, and operational requirements across all branches.
- Review operational challenges and implement long-term solutions to recurring issues.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Develop and maintain relationships with vehicle manufacturers, dealerships, repair facilities, fuel providers, telematics vendors, and equipment suppliers.
- Negotiate vendor agreements and service contracts.
- Evaluate vendor performance and ensure service level expectations are achieved.
- Identify opportunities to leverage purchasing power and improve vendor partnerships.
Systems, Reporting & Analytics
- Develop fleet performance dashboards and KPI reporting.
- Establish metrics related to:
- Asset utilization
- Vehicle downtime
- Maintenance compliance
- Cost per kilometer/mile
- Cost per operating hour
- Fuel consumption
- Fleet availability
- Replacement forecasting
- Utilize fleet management technology and telematics data to support decision-making.
- Provide regular reporting and recommendations to executive leadership.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure fleet operations comply with all applicable regulatory requirements.
- Oversee fleet-related safety initiatives and support Company safety objectives.
- Ensure vehicle inspections, licensing, registrations, permits, and documentation are maintained.
- Support accident investigations and identify opportunities to reduce fleet-related risk.
- Develop and maintain fleet policies, procedures, and operating standards.
Leadership & Team Development
- Provide leadership, coaching, and support to the Fleet Manager and fleet personnel.
- Establish clear expectations, goals, and accountability measures for the fleet department.
- Promote a culture of ownership, planning, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Build departmental succession plans and support employee development initiatives.
- Foster collaboration between fleet operations and all operational departments.
Qualifications
Education
- Post-secondary education in Fleet Management, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Mechanical Technology, Engineering, or a related field preferred.
Experience
- Minimum 8-10 years of progressive fleet management experience.
- Minimum 3-5 years of leadership experience managing fleet operations, maintenance programs, or asset management functions.
- Experience overseeing large vehicle and equipment fleets within construction, transportation, utilities, industrial services, or related industries.
- Demonstrated experience developing fleet strategies, capital plans, and asset lifecycle programs.
- Experience managing budgets, vendor relationships, and operational improvement initiatives.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong understanding of fleet management principles and asset lifecycle planning.
- Knowledge of preventative maintenance programs and equipment reliability practices.
- Experience with fleet management software, telematics systems, and reporting tools.
- Strong financial acumen and budgeting capabilities.
- Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to influence organizational change and drive process improvements.
- Strong project management and strategic planning skills.
