In a companies that rely on a fleet of vehicles and drivers, fleet managers play a pivotal role. A fleet manager is typically responsible for acquiring and maintaining the fleet, managing vehicle maintenance schedules, and overseeing their employer’s mobile workforce. In any company with a variety of high-value mobile assets, the fleet manager’s role is a crucial one.
Fleet managers are usually responsible for analyzing the data obtained from the fleet management software they use to track their vehicles and take any steps necessary to improve the efficiency of their fleet. Most fleet managers wear multiple hats and are expected to work closely with their field staff, maintenance team, and drivers to promote efficiency and positive customer interactions.
Vehicle Acquisition
Fleet managers are usually responsible for acquiring fleet vehicles and strategizing for financial investments. Depending on the size of a fleet, fleet managers might advise companies to purchase the vehicles outright or lease them. When vehicles are ready to be replaced, fleet managers will also look for opportunities to resell purchased vehicles.
Monitoring and Analysis
With the advent of vehicle telematics, some fleet managers have also started assuming the role of data scientist. Based on the real-time data obtained from fleet management software, the managers keep a close eye on the field. By analyzing fuel consumption data, idling time, and vehicle speed, fleet managers can identify instances of reckless driving. On top of this, fleet managers can take corrective measures to improve driver behavior and reduce maintenance costs and fuel expenditure.
Dispatch
Fleet managers juggle various roles and responsibilities to keep their fleets moving and on the right track. Few duties are as critical, however, as dispatching the drivers and field staff is. Dispatchers assign destinations to their drivers and plan out the most efficient routes. For their part, fleet managers oversee dispatch and provide support to their drivers.
Vehicle Maintenance
One of the most important responsibilities of a fleet manager is keeping their vehicles roadworthy. Fleet managers carry out routine vehicle inspections and, when defects are detected, report them to the maintenance team for tune-ups. They also perform or oversee the completion of routine maintenance activities to ensure the vehicles stay in tip-top condition. Fleet managers use their knowledge and experience to determine how often a vehicle in a fleet should be inspected for faults. Timely inspection and maintenance can go a long way toward minimizing repair costs.
Driver Management
Mobile workforce management is an important part of every fleet manager’s job description. Reliable and responsible drivers are one of the most valuable assets any transportation or logistics company can possess. On the other hand, poor driver management can directly translate to bad reputation on the road. Thus, fleet managers must continuously analyze driving behavior and support less capable drivers with appropriate training and education.
Cost Control
Fleet managers are often business-minded individuals who are constantly looking for ways and means to reduce operational costs without jeopardizing the performance of the fleet. They often analyze the data obtained from fleet management software to identify potential cost-saving areas. Most fleet managers will encourage their mobile workers to improve driving behavior so that companies can save big on fuel consumption and vehicle maintenance costs.
From managing the dispatch schedule to monitoring driving behavior, a fleet manager has a role in almost every aspect of their fleet’s daily activities. An indispensable part of any fleet-owning business, a fleet manager is responsible for both the safety and the overall effectiveness of their fleet.
