Ask any business owner and they will tell you, growth is an exciting measure of their company’s success. While exciting, that growth also involves several key questions that must be navigated. One of those questions specific to the transportation and logistics industry is, “When should I hire a Fleet Manager?”
Typically, a Fleet Manager is expected to handle a variety of tasks related to the organization and upkeep of your vehicles and the people driving them:
- Acquiring and maintaining the vehicles themselves
- Hiring, training, and retaining drivers
- Ensuring regulatory compliance
- Monitoring driver performance
- Finding cost-effective suppliers for parts, maintenance, fuel, etc.
Owners of small businesses typically find themselves responsible for every aspect of their firm’s operation, especially in the beginning. This can be for a variety of reasons – a desire for centralized control and/or a perceived lack of resources to expand headcount chief amongst them. However, there are quite a few benefits to bringing a Fleet Manager on board that help to offset the cost of their hiring:
- Driver Retention – Fleet Managers work hand-in-hand with your drivers every day and should be aware of the challenges they are navigating over the road. Safe, effective equipment and receptive management go a long way toward fostering a desirable work environment with minimal turnover.
- Time – With a Fleet Manager to help with driver training and keeping paperwork current, owners can free up more time to focus on the big-picture needs of their business.
- Supply Cost Efficiency – As an industry expert, your Fleet Manager should have the insight and connections to minimize the cost of necessary inputs like tires, maintenance, and fuel.
Guttman Energy’s Fleet Fuel Card is a friend to Fleet Managers everywhere, with real-time transaction monitoring and fully customizable reporting to make their job as easy as possible. Contact a Guttman Energy representative today to see how our card is right for you.
Sources:
Growing Businesses: Do You Need a Full-Time Fleet Manager?
