Road Transport & Fleet Team Manager

About the role

MIT Auto Parts is looking for an experienced Road Transport & Fleet Team Manager to take operational leadership of our Fleet Department. This is a hands-on middle-management role reporting to the Dispatch Department Head, requiring someone who can bring together fleet operations, route optimisation, financial control, compliance, risk management and people leadership to deliver a safe, efficient and cost-effective transport operation.

The successful candidate will lead the Fleet Supervisor, Fleet Controller and driver team, with accountability for delivery-route design and performance, fleet costs, legal and safety compliance, accident investigation and preventability determinations, asset lifecycle planning, supplier performance and overall fleet effectiveness.

This role requires meaningful operational accountability, with the ability to understand how route design, vehicle utilisation, maintenance, driver behaviour, cost, compliance, risk and service delivery influence one another.

The successful candidate will be comfortable working with operational and financial data to identify problems, make sound decisions and continuously improve fleet performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Designing, analysing and optimising delivery routes to improve vehicle utilisation, service levels and cost efficiency.
• Monitoring fleet performance, route adherence and cost per kilometre, and taking corrective action where performance falls outside expectations.
• Managing fleet budgets, forecasts, cost models and Total Cost of Ownership analyses.
• Using telematics and fleet data to monitor utilisation, driver behaviour, route performance and operational risk.
• Leading accident investigations, root-cause analyses and risk assessments, including final accident preventability determinations.
• Ensuring compliance with relevant road traffic legislation, OHS requirements, COFs, licensing, permits, AARTO requirements and load limits.
• Planning fleet mix, vehicle replacement cycles, maintenance strategy and overall asset utilisation.
• Managing relationships with insurers, compliance authorities, suppliers and service providers.
• Managing warranties, service contracts and supplier SLAs.
• Leading fleet optimisation projects and operational improvement initiatives.
• Maintaining accurate fleet data, dashboards, controls and governance records.
• Preparing management reports and providing meaningful operational, cost, compliance and risk insights.
• Leading, coaching and developing the Fleet Supervisor and Fleet Controller.
• Driving continuous improvement in fleet efficiency, safety, cost and service delivery.

Minimum requirements

To be considered for the role, applicants should meet the following requirements:

• Diploma or Degree in Logistics, Supply Chain or Transport Management (National Diploma/BCom or equivalent).
• Minimum 5 years' experience in fleet, transport or logistics management.
• Proven experience managing a transport or fleet team.
• Practical experience in route design and route optimisation.
• Demonstrated experience analysing and managing cost per kilometre.
• Experience engaging with insurers, compliance authorities and external suppliers.
• Advanced Excel and Power BI competency.

Technical capability

We are particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate practical experience in several of the following areas:

• Fleet and transport operational planning
• Route modelling and optimisation
• Fleet-management and telematics systems
• Fleet dashboards and data analysis
• Budgeting and financial modelling
• Cost-per-kilometre analysis
• Total Cost of Ownership modelling
• Accident and incident investigation
• Root-cause analysis and corrective action
• Fleet risk management
• Transport and vehicle compliance
• Vehicle lifecycle and replacement planning
• Supplier and SLA management
• Fleet procurement and service contracts
• Project management
• Management and executive reporting
• SAP or ERP exposure

Application process

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be asked to complete a structured screening questionnaire covering qualifications, fleet-management experience, fleet size and complexity, leadership scope, systems exposure and technical fleet capability.

Shortlisted candidates will progress through MIT Auto Parts' recruitment and interview process.

MIT Auto Parts is committed to the principles of Employment Equity.

Education:

• Diploma (Required)

Experience:

• Fleet, transport or logistics management.: 5 years (Required)
• route design and route optimisation: 3 years (Required)
• analysing and managing cost per kilometre: 3 years (Required)
• Advanced Excel and Power BI competency: 3 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• Code C Drivers Licence (Preferred)

Work Location: In person