Fleet Manager

Salary: Up to £60,000 plus Company car and other benefits

Location: Ilkeston, DE7 4RF

Hours: Days Monday to Friday

Fleet Manager – Lead with Purpose in a FORS Gold-Accredited Operation

At Ward, we’re more than a transport operation — we’re a leading force in sustainable waste management. As a family-owned and family-run business, we’re proud to combine industry expertise with strong values and long-term commitment. We’re now looking for an experienced and people-focused Fleet Manager to lead operations at our Ilkeston depot.

We’re also proud to hold FORS Gold accreditation, the highest standard in fleet safety and efficiency. This means you’ll be joining a company that leads the way in transport compliance and best practice.

The Fleet Manager will be responsible for managing the maintenance, servicing and inspections of the Ward Fleet, procurement and cost control. The role holder will ensure the transport department operates in line with the requirements for the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) accreditation and work towards achieving DVSA Earned Recognition status.

The role holder will report on compliance performance and flag any non-compliance issues with the Head of Transport meetings summarising activity and performance in all areas covered by the role.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Manage external/internal workshops across a multi-site operation.

• Overall responsibility for ensuring that DVSA vehicle standards and inspection regimes are adhered to.

• Ensure all workshops, internal and external within WARD meet standards of operation and are fully compliant.

• Maintain the FORS Gold standard accreditation.

• Budget and cost control for all fleet related activity including procurement, R&M, PAYG.

• Produce and monitor monthly reporting KPI’s to identify key trends.

• Be the main contact for all fleet related issues.

• Own annual fleet maintenance service/MOT plan and monitor unscheduled VOR’s.

• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders to optimise fleet availability.

• Possess up to date knowledge of transport legislation, Fleet Management procedures and working practices.

• Have strong communications skills with excellent personable skills to engage teams.

• Maintain full compliance with health, safety, environmental, and quality (HSEQ) regulations, ensuring that all site activities are conducted according to regulations.

• Conduct and oversee regular risk assessments, audits, and incident investigations, implementing corrective actions and trend analysis.

• Promote a strong safety culture across all operational teams, reinforcing adherence to safe working practices.

• Liaise and support Transport Managers, Driver Trainers and other Operations Managers.

Skills & Experience

• Self-starter, proactive and able to work at pace.

• Have a professional level vehicle engineering qualification or relevant time served to support fleet and operations teams with problem solving, fault finding and pro-active maintenance analysis.

• Detailed knowledge of LGV fleet environment, compliance and maintenance.

• Proven ability to develop and deliver fleet strategies and budgets.

• Waste operations experience (desirable).

• Able to produce and deliver presentations and reports.

• Qualified in HGV repair and maintenance with ADR qualification (essential).

• Knowledge of Health and Safety and relevant legislation.

• Experience of working successfully in a fleet engineering role with a high level of IT literacy.

• Demonstrable people management and leadership skills.

• Excellent stakeholder communication and management skills.

• Have a flexible and adaptable approach with ability to work in a team.

Licences / Qualifications

• IRTEC Inspection Technician Qualification (desirable)

• Hold a certificate in vehicle engineering (desirable)

• Transport Manager CPC Qualification (essential

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to £60,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Company car
• Company events
• Company pension
• Cycle to work scheme
• Free parking
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Life insurance
• On-site parking

Experience:

• Fleet Worshop/ Engineering: 2 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• ADR qualification (preferred)
• Transport Manager CPC (required)

Work Location: In person