Director, Technical Services

The Role

This role entails enhancing the operational efficiency of all fleets across the nation, aiming to minimize downtime and maximize asset availability and utilization across all regions in 

the country. The individual in this position spearheads the translation of comprehensive business directives concerning fleet management into detailed operational strategies. Their 

primary focus is on executing fleet management projects aligned with the organization's needs and priorities. Managing, curbing, and offering transparency on fleet operational expenses 

and essential fleet management metrics. These metrics are instrumental in informing business decisions related to fleet acquisition, monitoring fleet operating conditions, and 

determining fleet disposal or conversion, aligning these actions with the overarching business directives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy and Leadership responsibilities 

• Formulate, assess, and execute fleet management strategies, guaranteeing team members' comprehension and adherence to strategic objectives. 

• Establish and enforce vehicle operating standards to sustain fleets consistently across all regions. 

• Devise and implement strategies for cost control and reduction across various fleet types within the business. 

• Oversee the development and management of the company's fleet budget, ensuring alignment of all vehicle expenses with the allocated budget for the period. 

• Produce a monthly analysis report on vehicle performance, highlighting the significant contributions of all fleets and identifying necessary enhancements for asset optimization. 

• Provide leadership and management oversight to staff within the business unit, addressing grievances, disciplinary actions, performance capabilities, and absences effectively. 

• Drive personnel development initiatives and oversee the team to ensure the delivery of exceptional service standards.  

Vehicle Management & Operational Responsibilities 

• Supervise vehicle repairs and ensure adherence to preventive maintenance plans. 

• Oversee the inventory of vehicle components, ensuring frequent checks and maintenance by assigned team members. 

• Manage team members to monitor vehicle registration, insurance, and timely renewal of all vehicle documentation. 

• Address systemic gaps and identified leakages during repair and maintenance periods. 

• Serve as the primary contact with the company's fleet insurers. 

• Manage processes for obtaining damage estimates and ensure prompt repairs to meet fleet availability targets. 

• Provide advice on fleet procurement and recommend disposal of obsolete vehicles in line with the asset life cycle. 

• Ensure vehicles adhere to approved guidelines, accurately record vehicle usage data, and report it to the business. 

• Ensure all assets are available as per operational requests by appropriately scheduling, forecasting, and analyzing current usage trends. 

• Offer visibility on monthly/quarterly diesel consumption, asset utilization, vehicle safety standards, and overall fleet status across different country locations. 

• Oversee the integration of new assets into the business and provide necessary instructions and training to fleet management operators to prevent accidents, injuries, and asset damage or misuse. 

• Manage the process of removing fleet assets from the organization, considering relevant factors to maximize returns on investment. 

Customer Responsibilities 

• Lead and guarantee continuous fleet availability, spearheading enhancements in customer experience and fostering improved relationships with fleet users. 

• Monitor performance against Service Level Agreements (SLAs) while effectively managing both internal and external expectations. 

• Forge robust partnerships with all fleet customer segments, ensuring that provided services, vehicles, and equipment meet the transportation and equipment needs of users across these segments. 

• Consistently manage critical key performance indices (e.g., fleet availability, performance, user satisfaction, and costs) to ensure the company's fleets consistently rank within the top quartile of comparable peer groups in the industry. 

• Serve as the foremost expert on all fleet-related matters for Operations Managers and other key internal and external stakeholders. 

Compliance and Safety Assurance 

• Ensure compliance with industry regulations, safety protocols, and quality standards in all technical operations. 

• Implement safety programs and measures to promote a safe working environment for employees and adherence to legal requirements. 

Budgeting and Resource Management 

• Develop and manage budgets for technical services, ensuring cost-effective utilization of resources. 

• Monitor expenditures, analyse variances, and identify cost-saving opportunities where applicable. 

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration 

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including Operations, Procurement, and Management to achieve operational objectives. 

• Maintain relationships with external stakeholders, suppliers, regulatory bodies, and service providers. 

Technical Expertise and Innovation 

• Stay updated with industry advancements, technological innovations, and best practices in transportation technical services. 

• Introduce innovative technologies or methodologies to improve technical operations and service delivery. 

Risk Management and Crisis Response 

• Develop contingency plans and strategies to address potential risks or disruptions in technical services operations.

• Coordinate responses to emergencies or critical incidents affecting technical aspects of transportation services 

Minimum Requirements

A degree/ diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Logistics/Transport Management or related discipline 

Minimum of 7-10 years’ experience in Fleet Management and the last three years should be in a management role

• Transport and Logistics  

• Automobile Workshops and industry 

• Manufacturing 

• Proven track records of managing a large fleet size  

• Consistent achievement in the delivery of business mandates on fleet management 

• Experience in managing relationship with both internal and external stakeholders 

Knowledge 

• Fleet operations 

• Relevant legislation and statutory obligations relating to the operation of Fleet Transport  

• An understanding of health and safety issues affecting operational service 

• Financial monitoring and budgetary control 

• Able to comprehend and react appropriately to changing situations 

• Sound knowledge in vehicle maintenance scheduling 

• Extensive knowledge and experience with fleet support functions; including support services, and competitive business requirements 

Skills 

• Strong communication skills - You are an exceptional listener. You communicate clearly. You write exceptionally well, and you speak eloquently. You can explain just about anything to anyone. You’re comfortable on the phone or to groups of people – at any level. You are incredibly tactful 

when delivering the facts.   

• Problem solving - You enjoy solving problems. Getting to the root cause. You love taking on difficult challenges and finding creative, innovative solutions. You don’t get flustered easily. If you don’t know the answer, you’ll dig until you find it. 

• Detail oriented - You pay strong attention to the details as it is one of your core qualities. As far as you are concerned, anything worth doing is worth doing right, every single time. You stay focussed and nothing falls through the cracks on your watch.  

• Exceptional critical thinking skills - You can identify gaps in logic and underlying causes of issues; You think on your feet. You like learning new things, and you can learn quickly.  

• Strong collaborator - You can work independently because you self-manage, with limited direction and guidance, but you also enjoy collaborating across dynamic and multi-cultural teams and are personable, helpful, and incredibly organised.  

• Results oriented - You are proactive in handling competing priorities and meet your deadlines and commitments; you always demonstrate a “can do” positive attitude

• Certified in Logistics, Transportation & Distribution (CLTD) 

• Certified in Transportation & Logistics (CILT) 

• Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) 

• Possession of Project Management certification (PRINCE2, PMI etc) 

• Membership of recognized professional body