Fleet Operations Manager

About the Role

The Fleet Operations Manager at Vitara (Sommalife) will oversee the entire transportation and fleet activities, including commodity haulage, mechanized farm equipment management, and logistics revenue optimization across the company's operations. This role demands a highly autonomous, technically adept, and commercially aware professional who can effectively manage personnel and assets in rural environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day activities of all company-owned vehicles and machinery such as pickups, cargo and heavy-duty trucks, tractors, farm equipment, and motorbikes.
• Coordinate and digitally schedule vehicles for tasks including commodity aggregation, haulage, staff and guest transportation, and farm mechanization services.
• Utilize digital fleet management tools to track fuel consumption, mileage, maintenance schedules, and operational expenses.
• Ensure all fleet assets are monitored digitally, properly insured, licensed, roadworthy, and compliant with regulatory standards.
• Lead investigations into any incidents like accidents, misuse, breakdowns, or operational failures and maintain operational discipline.
• Oversee commodity transport from aggregation centers to district warehouses and final destinations.
• Plan haulage schedules, dispatch routines for company and third-party trucks, including load optimization, routing, and timely delivery.
• Collaborate with warehouse, business development, and field teams to align transportation with company needs.
• Build strong partnerships with logistics vendors, fuel suppliers, mechanics, and transport service providers.
• Schedule seasonal mechanization deployments in harmony with farming cycles.
• Identify and secure third-party transport opportunities to utilize idle company trucks and develop strategies to generate revenue from commercial transport operations.
• Supervise all drivers, tractor operators, and team members including conducting quarterly performance evaluations.
• Enforce strict adherence to safety protocols, defensive driving, company policies, and vehicle inspections.
• Create driver schedules and manage leave coverage plans.
• Lead regular safety meetings and toolbox sessions.
• Support recruitment and onboarding processes for transportation team members.
• Develop operational systems, standard operating procedures, and controls to enhance fleet management.
• Drive initiatives to improve operational efficiency and minimize costs.
• Support strategic decisions on fleet growth, asset replacement, and investments.
• Perform any additional assigned duties related to fleet operations management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Transport Management, Operations Management, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of five years’ experience in fleet management, agribusiness logistics, international trade, or rural operations.
• At least two years in a supervisory or managerial capacity.
• In-depth knowledge of heavy-duty truck operations, commodity aggregation, and agricultural value chains.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities in managing field-based operational teams.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for engaging diverse stakeholders effectively.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities within a fast-paced and dynamic working environment.
• Proven negotiation skills and expertise in commercial transport management.
• Robust analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Skilled in utilizing fleet management software.
• Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace, especially Google Sheets.
• Expert knowledge in agricultural machinery operations.