Job Guide - Car Fleet Manager

The Job and What's Involved

A car fleet manager is responsible for the efficient running of a company's fleet of vehicles. They deal with the day-to-day operation of the fleet, which can range in size from a small number of cars to a large group of vehicles of different types.

As a car fleet manager, your duties would include:

Managing contracts and developing new business.
Scheduling service and repair programmes.
Finding cost-effective sources of new vehicles.
Coordinating the replacement of existing fleets
Organising staff cover.

You would use computer software to collect and analyse information about the fleet, which could include:

- Mileage and fuel costs
- Service schedules and maintenance histories
- Accident reports
- Car availability and vehicle locations
- The fleet's taxable value, capital value and depreciation rate

You would also have to take into account vehicle manufacturers' guidelines and government legislation covering the running of the business.

In larger companies, you would work with business development professionals, account sales executives and fleet administrators.

You would normally work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may have to work occasional late nights or weekends during busy periods.

Most of your work would take place in an office but you may be expected to visit garages, vehicle auctions and manufacturers' vehicle launches.

Fleet managers can earn between £26,000 and £40,000 a year. Senior managers with strategic responsibilities can earn over £50,000 a year.

Getting Started with this Career Choice

You can find opportunities with companies that have their own fleet divisions, or with vehicle leasing companies, vehicle manufacturers and fleet management agencies, which are becoming more common in the industry.

Potential employers will look for leadership, organisational and IT skills. You would also normally need some experience of business management to move into car fleet management.

Previous experience in logistics, vehicle leasing or transport administration would give you an advantage when applying for jobs. You may also be able to work your way up to this role after gaining experience in fleet administration.

Education and Training

Courses include foundation degrees, BTEC HND's or degrees in subjects like:

- Transport Management
- Logistics
- Business Management
- Operations Management

To search for foundation degrees, HND's and degrees, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

If you already have a degree, you may be able to find a place on some of the larger fleet management companies' graduate training schemes.

Due to the nature of the work, you would normally need a full driving licence.

A Few More Exams You Might Need

You would normally receive structured on-the-job training. This would cover the company's management methods, administration systems and policies.

You could improve your career prospects by following the Institute of Car Fleet Management's (ICFM) flexible training programme, which leads to an award in Car Fleet Management. The award is offered at three levels and is tailored to your level of experience. It ranges from new entrant level through to experienced fleet manager, and is broken down as follows:

Introductory Certificate – covering fleet policy, vehicle supply and asset management.

Certificate – covering business relationships, legal requirements, administration and finance.

Diploma – covering computing systems, financial controls and quality assurance.

You can follow the ICFM programme with a mix of distance-learning, work-based assessments and residential courses. It is industry recognised and endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management.

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Skills and Personal Qualities Needed

A car fleet manager needs:

Strong organisational skills.
Good IT skills.
The ability to interpret figures and spot trends.
Good maths skills for managing contracts.
A flexible approach and the ability to make decisions quickly.
Excellent communication and negotiating skills.
Good motivational and leadership qualities.
The ability to meet targets.

Your Long Term Prospects

With experience, you could progress to contracts manager or operations manager.

You could move into related areas such as transport or freight management, or start your own business offering fleet management services on a consultancy basis.