Importance of Having a Fleet Manager

For the efficient handling of construction vehicles and ensuring that they are used and maintained properly, you should consider hiring a fleet manager. With a fleet manager on site, the supervision of construction vehicles like excavators and forklifts will no longer be the responsibility of the operators working with the equipment. You can also task your fleet manager with other jobs like the acquisition of vehicles and equipment for different projects.

Fleet managers will be the ones responsible for registering and licensing the equipment. The maintenance of the equipment will also be the manager’s responsibility. It will be their job to ensure that the company’s equipment is in excellent condition and will be able to perform the job effectively without breaking down.

Qualities That a Fleet Manager Should Possess

Anyone who is looking to start working as a fleet manager in construction should have certain qualities. He or she should be able to deliver results constantly and with efficiency. The fleet manager should also possess great communication and leadership skills as well as knowledge of the construction industry. The fleet manager should be proactive so he or she is better able to manage time when working and can decide on what to prioritize.

It is also essential that they have knowledge of the rules and regulations set in place by the US Department of Transportation. Employers look for these qualities in the certified candidates that apply for this position. If you possess these qualities and are considering going into fleet management, you should acquire certifications in relevant fields as certified candidates are given preference by employers.

Responsibilities of a Construction Fleet Manager

The main responsibilities of a construction fleet manager are the following:

Deciding on Matters Relating to Vehicle Acquisition

Construction fleet managers must conduct thorough research about the equipment or vehicle that the company currently needs and decide on which the company should purchase. If the equipment in question is getting auctioned, then the fleet manager is responsible for making a bid for it and negotiating with the seller to make a favorable deal with them. The fleet manager’s decisions should be made in the interest of the company and the current needs of the construction firm.

Selling Off Used Equipment

With time, construction equipment ages and reaches its usage limit. At this point when the equipment has served its purpose and needs to be replaced with more efficient machinery, it is the responsibility of the fleet manager to make sure that the used equipment in the company’s possession is sold at the best possible price. A lot of people work with used backhoe loaders and excavators so finding a buyer shouldn’t be a problem. It is the fleet manager’s job to oversee the negotiation and the transaction and make sure that the company does not take a loss.

Analysis of Fleet Expense and Performance Reports

As a fleet manager, it is important that you analyze the performance reports regularly. Doing so will ensure that, as the manager, you are always aware of the fleet’s condition and can easily detect any signs of damage in any equipment if the performance of the machine goes down. It is also important to keep a record of the daily expenses of the fleet such as the fuel costs so you can spot any excesses and find ways to moderate the cost of operations.

There are different software options available that can help in collecting data and monitoring the performance of equipment. The data that is collected by these software and management systems can then be examined by the fleet manager. The fleet manager can analyze this data to remain updated about the equipment.