Regional Fleet Manager (Inland) - RCL Foods

At RCL FOODS we see and do things differently. We think bigger, work smarter, and collectively work as a team to achieve our ambition; MORE food to MORE people, MORE often! Our Talent Team is looking for a strategic, big-picture thinker to fill the role of a Regional Fleet Manager (Inland) with great analytical and problem-solving skills to join our Vector Logistics Division.

The role will report to the National Fleet Manager and will be based in Midrand.

This position exists to optimize the fleet maintenance of all vehicle categories and components across multiple allocated depots per region thereby facilitating the effective utilization of vehicles in accordance with customer service levels in the most cost-effective way. To manage and maintain the fleet master data and maintenance teams and suppliers in the region thereby ensuring that productivity and performance are maximized.

Manage and control the complete workshop and fleet maintenance function in the region and ensure deadlines and quality and budget standards are met. Manage and control all service providers, i.e. all vehicle categories maintained, refrigeration maintenance, tyres, refurbishments, projects and any other supplier impacting fleet maintenance as well as fleet audits. Manage and control accident scenes and the recovery of vehicles, also applicable for breakdowns.

Duties & Responsibilities

Strategy Execution:

• Work in conjunction with the National Fleet Manager, Depot Logistics and warehouse management and suppliers to manage fleet according to OEM, Business and Road Traffic Act requirements.
• Manager an integrated fleet process across all hub and satellite depots for uniformity of business processes and strategy.
• Work closely with Transport & Warehouse Management to ensure preventative and ad-hoc maintenance is done timeous and as cost effective as possible according to legal and OEM requirements.
• Drive the implementation of improvements, projects & campaigns in regional fleet management and vehicle maintenance to achieve significant gains in efficiency, fleet uptime and cost reduction.
• Ensure the implementation of preventative fleet maintenance schedules & policies of all vehicle categories across the region.

Fleet Maintenance & Workshop Management:

• Develop, implement and track the preventative maintenance schedules for al vehicle categories for the region including a long-term vehicle replacement program, ad-hoc repairs and refurbishments in conjunction with the National Fleet Manager.
• Ensure vehicle maintenance programs adhere to Road Traffic Act Requirements, Original Manufacturer specifications and company policy.
• Formulate and implement maintenance policies and procedures for all MHE, including battery maintenance.
• Manage unplanned work resulting from abuse, vehicle breakdowns and emergencies, making sure they are dealt with in efficient manner by prioritizing as required.
• Ensure the effective management and maintenance of the regional workshop facilities, store rooms, stock, tools, equipment and housekeeping standards across all workshop facilities in the depots under your responsibility by applying the 5S principles.
• Ensure the effective management and maintenance of regional wash bay facilities, tools and equipment.

Fleet Optimization:

• Ensure effective forward planning through direct and regular interaction with cross-functional planning and operations teams.
• Liaise with Logistics managers, warehouses and OEM’s to agree and facilitate MHE full maintenance and disposal plan.
• Monitor exception, vehicle check sheets and utilization reports daily and follow up on non-conformances or inefficiencies to ensure fleet optimization.
• Make sure morning start-ups or post day vehicle inspections and tyre management are in place.
• Ensure all short and long-term rental equipment is operationally fit for purpose.
• Assist in managing upkeep and functioning of DriveRisk and Trackmatic equipment fitted on vehicles.
• Accident scene investigations with transport managers and the clearance of the scenes.
• Analyze regional vehicle maintenance costs and other financial information to implement plans, budgets and interventions that improve cost management and fleet effectiveness.
• Assist National Fleet Manager with supplier contract negotiations and contract or SLA management along with all service providers at depots.
• Participate in daily management meetings when required to ensure alignment across regional operations.
• Report to National Fleet Manager and depot specific operational teams regarding abuse, cost, asset management, operating practices and best practices.
• Travel the region to conduct depot and supplier visits as per annual schedule that will include the National Fleet Audits.

Risk Management:

• Ensure compliance with the National Road Traffic Act and the Occupational Health and Safety Act in the workshop, any other service area on the depot and wash bays.
• Ensure the conformance criteria for vehicle performance and maintenance are adhered to.
• Ensure suppliers comply with Service Level Agreements and Contracts.
• Ensure Workshop staff perform preventive and ad-hoc maintenance to the required OEM and best practices standards.
• Ensure fleet is compliant with applicable laws and regulations governing vehicle safety, environmental controls on fuel emissions, driver hours, customs requirements, and food, livestock and hazardous goods transportation.
• Investigate and report all Injuries on Duty (IOD’s) for Workshop staff.
• Investigate all vehicle accidents / accidental damage to vehicles and implement remedial action to avoid future re-occurrences.
• Identify driver & operator abuse and implement corrective action with the Transport and Logistics Managers.

Cost Management:

• Manage and monitor the operating and maintenance costs associated with each fleet number for all vehicle categories, wash bays, workshop spares and ensure they are in line with accepted benchmarks.
• Put weekly and monthly tracking in place to track all cost items to understand where focus areas must be to drive down excessive cost.
• Analyze and investigate the cost of poor maintenance and abuse to determine and drive improvements.

Team Management:

• Introduce a staff technical training program to ensure personnel are adequately trained for the tasks they are due to perform and are up to date with technical changes in the industry.
• Track and implement refresher courses for staff.
• Monitor team performance and provide regular performance feedback.
• Coach and support the team where necessary to achieve objectives.
• Lead the team towards meeting the strategy and targets through regular communication and utilization of the full organizational talent management toolset.
• Address poor performance in individuals and teams in accordance with company policy and the relevant legislation.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum of a Degree in Transport Economics, Logistics or Supply Chain Management.
• Diesel Mechanic Qualification with Refrigeration Maintenance experience would be advantageous.
• Fleet management experience for more than 500 pieces of equipment from trucks, trailers to Material Handling Equipment (MHE).
• Valid Code EB driver's license.
• Road Traffic Act (RTA) and AARTO rules and regulations experience.
• Conducting fleet audits across multiple depots with multiple suppliers.
• A minimum of 8 years in a fleet/transport management environment, 3 of which at a management level.

Knowledge:

• Understanding of preventative maintenance planning and execution for all vehicle categories.
• RTA & OEM understanding of legal requirements and preventative maintenance management and compliance.
• Strategical thinker in terms of fleet’s impact on wider operational effectiveness and how fleet management impact cost and customer service = company reputation and income generated.
• Fleet’s impact on operational effectiveness towards Logistics and Supply Chain principles and methodologies understood.
• Fleet maintenance performance benchmarks used as a comparison of what looks good.
• Understand all vehicle category specifications along with suppliers.

Skills:

• High level of big picture and strategical thinking on a very wide regional level to be able to manage up to 10 different depots in cohesion with RTA, OEM & Company policy requirements.
• Financial management i.e. reporting and budget vs. actual analysis.
• Planning, implementing and coordinating.
• Being able to manage multiple suppliers and workshop staff to such an extend to extract the best performance from them.
• Good motivator and speaker in front of audience and great at relationship building.
• Computer literacy (MS Office).
• Very good verbal and written communication.
• Interpersonal skills are important as you will be working with multiple internal and external stakeholders.
• Logical thinking, innovative and creative thinking.
• Analytical and problem solving.
• Decision-making.