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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vehicle Maintenance Director

💰 $150,000 - $220,000

Fleet ManagementOperationsAutomotiveLeadershipLogistics

🎯 Role Definition

The Vehicle Maintenance Director is the strategic leader at the helm of an organization's entire fleet maintenance operation. This executive role is responsible for the overall health, performance, and cost-effectiveness of all company vehicles and maintenance facilities. More than just overseeing repairs, the Director crafts and executes the long-term vision for fleet management, ensuring that maintenance strategies align with broader business objectives for safety, compliance, sustainability, and profitability. This individual is a key business partner to executive leadership, providing critical insights that drive capital planning, operational efficiency, and risk management across the enterprise. Success in this role is defined by maximizing vehicle uptime, optimizing total cost of ownership, and leading a high-performing, safety-conscious team of maintenance professionals.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Fleet Maintenance Manager
  • Regional Maintenance Manager
  • Senior Service Manager / Shop Foreman

Advancement To:

  • Vice President of Operations
  • Regional Vice President of Fleet
  • Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Logistics
  • Director of Safety & Compliance
  • Director of Procurement

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute long-term strategic plans for the entire vehicle maintenance program to align with company-wide goals for safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
  • Establish and manage the comprehensive annual maintenance budget, including detailed forecasting for parts, labor, capital expenditures, and third-party vendor services.
  • Oversee all aspects of fleet procurement, lifecycle management, and vehicle disposal strategies to optimize the total cost of ownership (TCO) for every asset.
  • Direct a multi-site network of maintenance facilities and teams, ensuring standardized procedures, robust quality control, and consistent performance across all locations.
  • Implement and continuously improve a data-driven preventative maintenance (PM) program designed to maximize vehicle uptime, reduce unforeseen breakdowns, and extend asset life.
  • Ensure absolute compliance with all federal, state, and local transportation regulations, including DOT, FMCSA, EPA, and OSHA standards, through rigorous auditing, training, and record-keeping.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of maintenance managers, supervisors, and technicians, fostering a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous professional growth.
  • Negotiate and manage high-value contracts with parts suppliers, external repair shops, technology providers, and other vendors to secure favorable terms and guarantee quality service.
  • Champion the integration and advanced utilization of fleet management systems (FMS) and telematics data to drive data-informed decisions on maintenance scheduling, fuel efficiency, and asset utilization.
  • Develop, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as vehicle uptime, mean time between failures (MTBF), cost-per-mile, and PM compliance to measure departmental effectiveness.
  • Spearhead strategic initiatives related to fleet sustainability, including the evaluation, pilot testing, and integration of alternative fuel vehicles (EV, CNG, etc.) and emission reduction technologies.
  • Create and enforce comprehensive safety protocols within all maintenance shops and for all road-call procedures, with the ultimate goal of achieving a zero-accident work environment.
  • Direct the inventory management strategy for parts and supplies, implementing modern control systems to minimize carrying costs while ensuring the availability of critical components.
  • Collaborate closely with executive leadership and other department heads (Operations, Finance, HR) to ensure maintenance strategies directly support overall business objectives and operational needs.
  • Oversee the development and delivery of cutting-edge technical training programs for all maintenance staff to keep their skills current with evolving vehicle technologies and repair methods.
  • Direct the enterprise-level response to major vehicle breakdowns and accidents, coordinating resources to minimize operational downtime and ensure a swift, safe resolution.
  • Analyze maintenance cost trends and operational data to identify systemic issues, pinpoint root causes of recurring failures, and implement effective, long-term corrective actions.
  • Lead the capital planning process for vehicle replacement cycles, new shop equipment, and facility upgrades, preparing detailed business cases and ROI analyses for executive approval.
  • Establish and maintain strong, strategic relationships with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to stay ahead of new technologies, warranty programs, and critical recall campaigns.
  • Drive a culture of continuous improvement by consistently evaluating and implementing new maintenance technologies, diagnostic tools, and workshop processes to enhance efficiency and the quality of repairs.
  • Oversee the complete management of the company's tire program, from procurement and tracking to retreading policies, to optimize performance and control one of the fleet's largest variable costs.
  • Conduct regular performance evaluations for direct reports, setting clear, ambitious goals and providing constructive feedback to foster professional growth and build a strong leadership pipeline.

Secondary Functions

  • Provide ad-hoc analysis and reporting on fleet performance metrics for executive leadership and cross-functional teams.
  • Contribute to the broader operational strategy by providing expert insights on fleet capabilities, limitations, and technological advancements.
  • Partner with Operations, Safety, and Finance departments to align maintenance activities with daily operational needs and long-term financial goals.
  • Engage in cross-departmental project planning and execution, representing the maintenance function in strategic initiatives like new market expansions or service rollouts.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced proficiency in leading Fleet Management Software (FMS) and telematics platforms (e.g., Geotab, Samsara, AssetWorks).
  • Deep expertise in vehicle diagnostics and repair methodologies for a diverse range of assets (e.g., Class 8 tractors, light-duty vehicles, MHE).
  • Strong financial acumen, including budget creation and management, P&L responsibility, and capital expenditure planning.
  • In-depth, practical knowledge of DOT, FMCSA, EPA, and OSHA regulations governing vehicle maintenance and shop safety.
  • Proficiency in data analysis and KPI tracking using tools like Microsoft Excel, Power BI, or Tableau to derive actionable insights.
  • Proven experience with modern inventory management systems and strategic parts procurement.
  • Master-level skills in vendor and contract negotiation and management.
  • Comprehensive understanding of vehicle lifecycle cost analysis and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) modeling.
  • Expertise in designing, implementing, and optimizing large-scale Preventative Maintenance (PM) programs.
  • Current knowledge of emerging vehicle technologies, including electric vehicles (EVs), charging infrastructure, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS).

Soft Skills

  • Strategic Leadership & Vision
  • Exceptional Communication & Interpersonal Skills
  • Complex Problem-Solving & Analytical Thinking
  • Decisiveness & Sound Judgment
  • Team Building & Talent Development
  • Negotiation & Influence
  • Change Management
  • Financial Acumen & Business Insight
  • Process Improvement & Operational Excellence
  • Adaptability & Resilience

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience in a senior leadership role.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a related field.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Automotive Fleet Manager (CAFM) or Certified Director of Maintenance/Equipment (CDM/E).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Automotive Engineering / Technology
  • Supply Chain Management & Logistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10-15+ years of progressive experience in fleet maintenance, with at least 5-7 years in a significant leadership or multi-site management capacity.

Preferred:

  • Extensive experience managing large, geographically distributed fleets (500+ assets). A proven track record of success in a unionized environment is highly advantageous. Experience with a complex mix of vehicle types, including heavy-duty diesel, light-duty gas, and alternative fuel vehicles, is strongly preferred.
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