Fleet And Transport Manager

A exciting opportunity has arisen for a Fleet & Transport Manager to join Reading Borough Council, with a mixed fleet of 256 vehicles ranging from 27 tonne Refuse Collection Vehicles to electric vans. The Council has embarked on the transition plan to have a fully electric vehicle fleet in order for the Council meet its challenging Zero Carbon targets.

We are looking for a Fleet & Transport Manager to develop and lead the strategic direction of fleet management ensuring the Council’s fleet operations are efficient in both operational terms and costs. The ideal candidate will provide professional, strategic advice to service units heads and senior management and ensure sufficient, appropriate vehicles are made available to meet operational use.

This is a full-time position to drive best practice of the rules and regulations across all the service units in the Council. This role will require you to manage and maintain legally compliant operations whilst driving improvements to reduce cost and poor use of fleet resource’s, ensuring that the relevant legislation is updated and implemented effectively and that legislative compliance is met in all aspects of vehicle maintenance and vehicle operation in accordance with the DVSA standards.

About the Role

The post holder will, manage all aspects of the Fleet and Transport service, demonstrating a thorough working knowledge of commercial vehicle supply and maintenance:

• Lead the FORS compliance by driving best practice and implementing new ideas and updating processes to continue to improve the Fleet Management.
• Work with the service units to improve driver training/coaching and analysis by using the systems data, manage trends and put in place initiatives to improve driver behaviour.
• Be the service expert for the construction and delivery of the vehicle maintence facility.
• Ensure legislative compliance in all aspects of vehicle maintenance and operation to DVSA standards
• Coach, manage and develop the Fleet Management team in all aspects of their role
• Oversee the service unit teams in ensuring compliance areas are accurate and in place: Tachographs analysis and driver hours, regulations, Working Time Regulations, vehicle service and maintenance scheduling and recording, and an accurate vehicle defect system.

• Conduct service unit reviews to address any performance issues and monitor requirements needed to pursue are actioned .
• Oversee any hire requirements within the Council.
• Involvement in all employee relations and absence management concerns within the team, working with the Group HR Team.
• Support the Council with ideas and implementation of the transitioning to electric or other alternative fuel options to help the Councils meet its Zero Carbon target.
• Abiding by Health and Safety responsibilities, procedures and regulations at all times in line with the Health and Safety Policy.
• Drive and own health and safety initiatives, and action with the support from the Council Health and Safety team.
• Deliver any company policy and procedures for Transport required by the group or business.
• Supporting the financial performance of the Fleet Management area and working with the Finance Team to review costs and improvement opportunities.
• Responsible for ensuring there is a collaboration and group wide interaction to ensure good working relationships are maintained.
• Support any business change, and lead any Fleet Management changes.
• Ensuring that the Fleet Management team are compliant in handling supplier and personnel data in line with the GDPR legislation and Council policies.
• Complete delegation of tasks that may be required by the Director.

You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place. Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

Work Together as one team - work collaboratively, with each other and with our partners, and demonstrate the Team Reading values in everything we do

Drive Efficiency - show initiative, be adaptable to change and put forward ideas to help improve delivery and efficiency. Take responsibility for our own learning and development and for reaching our potential

Be Ambitious - be demanding of our own performance – striving to be even better – and be prepared to engage with and challenge leaders in a constructive and positive way

Make a Difference to Reading - maintain the highest levels of customer service and be flexible and willing to provide the services needed at the time they are needed

About you

• CPC National/International.
• Membership of a relevant professional body.
• Driving licence (clean) C Cat preferred with Drivers CPC.
• A minimum of 5-10 years working with drivers, vehicle regulations and maintenance compliance.
• Strong planning and organisation skills.
• Health & Safety Training (min Level 3).
• Experience in managing people in all aspects of employment.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent problem solving and negotiation skills.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop a team.
• Ability to communicate at all levels and build strong relationships.
• Excellent IT skills.

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

A competitive salary alongside a range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted, and a salary sacrifice scheme to help lower the cost of your nursery fees
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

If you would like an informal discussion about this post please contact please contact graeme.rasdall-lawes@reading.gov.uk

Closing date: 14 April 2024

Interview Date: TBC

Please note that the closing date is given as a guide. We reserve the right to close this vacancy once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Therefore, it is strongly advised that you complete and return your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.