Project Manager (Fleet)

The Project Manager (Fleet) will lead key initiatives relating to the companys vehicle assets. This role involves managing strategic projectsincluding electric vehicle (EV) adoption, telematics implementation, and route optimisationby overseeing budgets, schedules, and cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency, minimise downtime, and ensure compliance with regional transport regulations.

Key Responsibilities

1. Capital Procurement & Asset Lifecycle Management

• Strategic Acquisition Planning: Lead cross-functional teams to analyse vehicle utilisation, determine optimal asset lifecycles, and develop inclusive multi-year replacement or expansion strategies.
• Specification and Customisation: Collaborate with operational teams to define clear and precise technical specifications for new vehicles, specialised equipment, or customisation packages aligned with business needs.
• Decommissioning and Disposal: Manage asset retirement processes, maximising returns through effective remarketing, auctions, or lease returns, ensuring environmental and ethical considerations are met.

2. Technology Integration & Telematics Deployment

• System Implementation: Oversee the evaluation, pilot testing, and company-wide rollout of advanced technologies, including Fleet Management Information Systems (FMIS), GPS tracking, and electronic logging devices (ELDs), ensuring accessibility and usability for all users.
• Data-Driven Optimisation: Establish frameworks to analyse telematics data, delivering actionable insights into driver behaviour, idling, route efficiency, and vehicle diagnostics, supporting informed decision-making.
• Change Management and Training: Develop comprehensive, accessible training materials and facilitate inclusive workshops for drivers, dispatchers, and field managers to promote successful technology adoption.

3. Operational Efficiency & Sustainability Initiatives

• Alternative Fuel & EV Transition: Plan and manage the integration of hybrid and electric vehicles into the fleet, including coordinating the installation of charging infrastructure with consideration for accessibility and environmental sustainability.
• Maintenance Programme Optimisation: Lead initiatives to transition from reactive repairs to predictive maintenance, reducing downtime through improved scheduling and inclusive processes.
• Fuel Management Strategies: Develop and implement measures to reduce fuel costs, oversee fuel card programmes, and assess fuel efficiency benchmarks.

4. Regulatory Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Safety Protocols: Design and implement safety campaigns and accident reduction initiatives, monitoring safety metrics organisation-wide to minimise risks and insurance costs, fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.
• Audit Readiness: Maintain thorough documentation to ensure compliance with Department for Transport (DfT) regulations, environmental standards, and local transport laws.
• Risk Assessments: Conduct risk analyses throughout project phases to identify supply chain issues, mechanical risks, or regulatory changes that may impact timelines.
• Licencing & Documentation: Ensure full compliance with vehicle licencing, roadworthiness testing, and local permits.
• Fines & Demerit Management: Manage traffic infringements (e.g. AARTO allocations) by assigning responsibility appropriately, safeguarding the companys operating licences.
• Insurance Claims: Oversee accident claims from initial reporting through to final repairs and insurance settlements with sensitivity and professionalism.

5. Vendor Performance & Stakeholder Management

• SLA Enforcement: Set and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for external vendors, including OEMs, upfitting services, maintenance providers, and fuel suppliers, promoting fairness and accountability.
• Contract Negotiations: Collaborate with procurement to negotiate service level agreements (SLAs), leasing terms, and bulk purchase discounts.
• Cross-Functional Communication: Act as the primary liaison between executive leadership, finance, legal, maintenance workshops, and field teams to ensure clear, inclusive, and effective project alignment.

6. Financial Performance & Budgetary Oversight

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Analysis: Develop financial models to assess TCO for all vehicle types, supporting lease-versus-buy decisions for senior management.
• Capital Expenditure (CapEx) Management: Plan, justify, and oversee capital and operational budgets for fleet projects, providing monthly variance reports to executives.
• Cost-Benefit Diagnostics: Evaluate the financial viability of operational changes, delivering clear return on investment (ROI) analyses prior to project launches.

Skills

• Experience: Proven background in project coordination, logistics, or transport operations.
• Technical Knowledge: Proficient in fleet management software, GPS tracking, and telematics data analysis.
• Core Competencies: Strong budgeting, risk management, leadership, and problem-solving abilities.

Requirements

• Education: Matriculation / Grade 12; Diploma or National Diploma in Project Management, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management. A degree in a related discipline is advantageous.
• Experience: Three to five years experience in project management, preferably with hands-on involvement in transport operations, fleet logistics, or vehicle maintenance.
• Technical Skills: Competence with telematics platforms, data modelling (Excel), and fleet-specific tracking software.
• Soft Skills: Excellent vendor negotiation, financial planning, cross-functional leadership, and data-driven problem-solving capabilities.