The Manager, Corporate Fleet provides corporate wide strategic and operational leadership for a municipal fleet of over 500 vehicles and fleet related equipment assets, located at various locations across the County of Simcoe. The position is accountable for fleet asset lifecycle planning, financial stewardship, fleet related system implementation and optimization, and the successful leadership of major transformation initiatives, including fleet electrification. The role requires extensive fleet management experience, a strong strategic, long-term planning and change management mindset, and the capacity to operate autonomously while communicating strongly with leadership and a diverse group of operational stakeholders. This position includes participation in an after-hours on call schedule for emergency response.
1. Manage the overall effective, efficient and safe operation of the County vehicle and heavy equipment fleet at a corporate wide level in accordance with best practices and Ministry of Transportation legislation and regulations.
2. Manage acquisition processes for the procurement of all capital vehicles, heavy equipment, parts, supplies and related mechanical services utilizing approved processes (RFQ, RFT and RFP) to issue, evaluate, negotiate and award effective contracts.
3. Work closely with finance, procurement and the leaders of facility locations where fleet assets are physically located, ensuring processes and policies are in place to support utilization optimization and alignment with financial reporting and insurance requirements.
4. Lead the strategic planning and execution of the County’s fleet electrification and sustainability initiatives, including long-term planning, infrastructure readiness, lifecycle costing, policy development, and organization wide change management to address operational and cultural resistance.
5. Make recommendations on the purchase of new vehicles for all corporate departments including maintaining life cycle records by vehicle, forecasting replacements within the 10 Year Long Term Plan, review of budget request forms, while maintaining strong communications with user departments and senior management.
6. Manage In-Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Facilities and associated mechanic staff including operational budgets, monitoring and communicating all chargebacks to user departments working closely with Finance.
7. Liaise with the Technical Safety Standards Authority, Electrical Safety Authority, Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Finance and Transport Canada and the Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities re mechanic apprentice program.
8. Conduct vehicle accident investigations, recommend remedial action, training, and retesting, monitor accident trends, and promote the County Vehicle Safety Program including providing in house training as requested.
9. Management of an Emergency Vehicle fleet in compliance with the Ministry of Health mandated guidelines to maintain the required level of emergency vehicles for operations.
10. Oversee and support all fleet related activities related to the operation of a transit system, including frequent liaison with the contracted transit service provider maintaining a strong awareness of: safety records, vehicle repair, preventative maintenance activities, warranty claims, mileage reporting, vehicle accident reporting, CVOR rating, list of drivers while ensuring compliance with the contract including the review of the weekly Fleet Report.
11. Manage all vehicle related claims settlements with the County insurance company and residents including reconstruction or repairs to buildings.
12. Manage all County vehicle telematics systems and two-way radios in compliance with the Provincial mandated guidelines.
13. Ensure driver evaluations and bi-annual licensing verifications are conducted for County staff with driving roles, providing management with noncompliance information for resolution as required.
14. Provide fleet related risk management advice to departments, participate in loss prevention investigations and provide information to insurance pool and finance as required.
15. Explore best practices and procedures with a goal to expand the County’s knowledge and use of leading edge technology, methods, vehicle telematics , environmentally friendly fleet enhancements, including electrification, emissions reduction, and energy-efficient technologies.
16. Develop, analyze and make recommendations in regard to long and short term fleet and asset capital needs funding models to maintain life cycles.
17. Budget, plan, direct, co-ordinate and evaluate the activities of personnel in the maintenance, repair, reconditioning and purchasing of all motorized vehicles, equipment and parts for the County.
18. Develop, manage, evaluate and improve the County Preventative Maintenance Program for all vehicles and heavy equipment to increase efficiency, service levels and effectiveness including in-house and out sourced services.
19. Working closely with procurement, finance and operational departments, determine replacement of vehicles, configuration of specifications and acquisition of auxiliary equipment/attachments, approve modifications and direction in the purchase of new vehicles.
20. Manage budgets and cost reduction activities, interacting with suppliers, negotiating, administering and monitoring of service and supply contracts for compliance and reduction of costs.
21. Management of the 24 hour a day Fuel Management System including the provision of usage reports, cost and forecasts for budget preparation, maintenance and tank removal and compliance to TSSA related standards.
22. Establish and implement short and long range goals, objectives, policies and operating procedures, and key performance indicators for the Fleet & Asset team and County fleet and asset management as a whole.
23. Lead and maintain the County’s fleet and related asset management information systems, including implementation, integration, data integrity, business process design, user training and once complete, the ongoing optimization to support operational, financial and strategic decision making.
24. Review operational department charge-back fees annually to determine the goal of achieving a yearend neutral revenue status.
25. Ensure fleet and asset SRS tickets from customers are processed in a timely manner, track trends for efficiencies.
26. Perform analysis and make recommendations to maintain and improve cost effective utilization of human and physical resources, e.g. cross departmental sharing of vehicles.
27. Manage casual driver’s salary budget and allocation of work and process charge –back fees to departments as required.
28. Work within approved processes for the disposal of surplus vehicles and related assets including donations to charitable organization through direct coordination through the GM of Finance and the CAO.
29. Manage the County’s emergency generator deployment logistics including the installation of generator connections at member municipalities designated facilities.
30. Act as liaison between vendors, County staff and municipal partners to promote and improve communication and cooperation resulting in improved efficiencies.
31. Provide clear leadership, set expectations, and hold staff accountable for results in a complex unionized operating environment, in a manner that motivates, guides and directs employees to the realization of departmental goals and objectives.
32. Maintain a work environment that promotes staff participation, teamwork and positive labour relations with non-unionized and unionized staff from both collective agreements (CUPE and SEIU Roads).
33. Develop and maintain staff scheduling, orientation and training programs and oversee day-to-day activities of staff according to County policies and guidelines.
34. Manage the recruitment, evaluation, discipline and termination of personnel.
35. Prepare and present written reports as required.
36. Participate in committees as required.
37. Perform other duties as assigned, including redeployment in emergency situations.
38. Comply with provincial and County occupational health and safety legislation, regulations, policies and procedures.
39. Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
Has knowledge of and demonstrated ability in our leadership competencies:
- Acts with the Customer in Mind
- Continuously Seeks to Improve Work Processes
- Comprehensive knowledge of fleet and asset management obtained through the successful completion of a three (3) year Community College Diploma Program in Business Administration, Engineering Technology, Fleet Management. This job may be considered for educational equivalency in accordance with County Policy.
- Completion of, or ability to obtain a Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) designation, Sustainable Fleet Manager or other related certification.
- Completion of management education courses or related designation is preferred (eg Canadian Institute of Management, Schulich School of Business, Harvard Mentor)
- Formalized training as a Vehicle Accident Investigation/Reconstruction and as a Vehicle Safety Supervisor.
- Detailed knowledge of the Highway Traffic Act, Ambulance Act, Ontario Land Ambulance and Emergency Response Vehicle Standards Version 3.0, and the Provincial Fuel Handling Regulation.
- Thorough knowledge of standard practices and equipment of the automotive mechanic trade, current or past mechanic certification would be beneficial.
- Knowledge of the principles of operation of gasoline and diesel engines, electric motors and fleet electrification transition issues and processes, and of mechanical repair on heavy trucks and construction equipment.
- Excellent knowledge of fleet management information systems and strong skills in word processing, spreadsheets and database applications.
- Strong understanding of related finance and accounting for analysis.
- Excellent project co-ordination and management skills.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to work under stressful conditions.
- Proven managerial skills and ability to interpret and apply employment policies and collective agreements.
- Valid Ontario Class G Driver’s License and access to a reliable vehicle.
- Criminal records check that is less than six (6) months old at time of hire.
- Ability to assess/interpret specifications and operational manuals.
- Ability to work outside normal hours and respond to emergencies as required.
- A minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in fleet, asset or operational leadership roles, including at least five (5) years at a manager level with corporate wide accountability, plus experience in prior progressively responsible roles in the public or private sector.
- Demonstrated experience implementing corporate wide fleet, asset, or operational management systems, policies and procedures with organization-wide adoption responsibilities.
- Experience leading large scale change initiatives (e.g. electrification, sustainability, modernization, or service transformation).
- Experience in the management of unionized staff and the administration of employment policies and collective agreements.
- Visual and mental effort required when preparing tenders or reports, examining vehicle accident reports, etc.
- Occasionally may assist with moving large items.
- Regular office environment.
- Also conduct duties at vehicle repair & maintenance facilities and at landfill sites. On-call to respond to after hour vehicle accidents at various locations including road side locations.
- Ability to work remotely if required.
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