At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial performance and efficiency in fleet maintenance operations.
- Company: Join a top UK vehicle leasing business with a fleet of 9,000 trucks.
- Benefits: Enjoy opportunities for growth, collaboration with leadership, and impactful work.
- Why this job: Shape the future of maintenance services while driving financial success.
- Qualifications: 7-10 years in finance or operations; strong financial and communication skills required.
- Other info: Ideal for those passionate about operational efficiency and commercial strategy.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 Β£ per year.
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland (Mallusk), with occasional UK travel
Reports to: FD / MD
Works closely with: Head of Fleet Maintenance Operations
Team Influence: Works across all teams within the maintenance function (Mallusk-based and field), as well as 200+ service vendors
About the Company
We are a leading UK and Northern Ireland-based commercial vehicle leasing business, operating a fleet of approximately 9,000 trucks and trailers. Our business is built on long-term leasing contracts with customers across all industries including logistics, retail, and transport sectors. A key part of our proposition is delivering a comprehensive, cost-effective fleet maintenance solution.
Our internal maintenance function, based at our Mallusk site in Belfast, oversees all aspects of service delivery through a large UK-wide vendor network, supporting approximately 1,000 service transactions per week. As our operation grows, we are investing in people and systems to professionalise and scale this critical division.
The Opportunity
This is a senior commercial role focused on improving the financial health and performance of our fleet maintenance division. You will work closely with the Head of Fleet Maintenance Operations (who leads the day-to-day technical and service delivery function) and take ownership of:
- Budget performance
- Spend management
- Vendor cost controls
- Departmental efficiency
- Maintenance commercial models and reporting
You will bring a structured, process-led mindset to a busy, high-volume department, working across each team to implement systems, streamline procedures, and track financial results. You will also collaborate with the commercial and pricing teams to ensure future contracts are built on data-led cost models that protect our long-term margins.
Key Responsibilities
- Commercial Oversight & Budget Management
- Own the maintenance divisionβs financial performance, ensuring actual spend aligns with contract budgets and company targets.
- Monitor contract-level profitability and identify patterns of over- or underperformance.
- Build and implement tools and dashboards to track and forecast spend vs. budget.
- Collaborate with finance and leadership to report on key financial metrics.
- Process Efficiency & Departmental Review
- Analyse current procedures across the maintenance team (Mallusk and field-based) to identify inefficiencies and cost leakages.
- Drive implementation of best practices, SOPs, and cross-team accountability.
- Support better use of systems and data to drive efficiency and margin improvement.
- Vendor Commercial Performance
- Work with the Head of Fleet Maintenance Operations to ensure vendor agreements are commercially viable.
- Support vendor reviews and performance management with a commercial lens.
- Influence pricing, rates, and scope to ensure value for money across the vendor network.
- Product Development & Pricing
- Support development and pricing of value-added maintenance products (e.g. TPMS, diagnostics, breakdown support).
- Contribute to internal commercial strategy for how maintenance services are packaged and offered to customers.
- Feed data and insights into how maintenance risk is priced into new leasing contracts.
- Collaboration & Influence
- Work closely with the Head of Fleet Maintenance Operations to align financial goals with operational reality.
- Support the leadership team in preparing and presenting commercial reports, risk profiles, and cost-saving initiatives.
- Help shape the department's commercial roadmap as we invest in technology and scale up capacity.
Candidate Profile
Experience
- 7β10+ years in a commercially focused operations, finance, or cost-control role in a service-led business.
- Strong exposure to P&L responsibility, cost tracking, and process improvement.
- Ideally, experience managing spend across vendors, departments, or business units.
- Industry background could include: fleet services, logistics, facilities management, manufacturing, engineering, or any high-volume, cost-sensitive sector.
- This is not a technical fleet maintenance role. The ideal candidate may not come from transport or engineering, but must be comfortable operating in a complex, service-led business with tight margins and strong procedural requirements.
Skills & Attributes
- Strong financial mindset β confident with budgets, numbers, and reporting
- Procedural and systems-led thinker with a passion for operational efficiency
- Commercially aware and focused on margin improvement
- Excellent communication and influencing skills
- Able to work cross-functionally and drive performance without direct operational control
Desirable Qualifications
- Degree in Business, Finance, Operations Management, or related discipline
- Exposure to tools such as Excel, Power BI, or ERP/reporting systems
- Six Sigma, Lean, or process improvement experience is a plus
Why Join?
- Join a growing, ambitious business during a key phase of transformation
- Be the commercial conscience of a business-critical department
- Work directly with leadership to shape the future of our maintenance services
- Take ownership of real financial performance and help build a more scalable and profitable operation
Commercial Manager β Fleet Maintenance employer: Hireco World
Contact Detail:
Hireco World Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice π€«
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager β Fleet Maintenance
β¨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the fleet maintenance industry and its financial metrics. Understanding key performance indicators (KPIs) relevant to budget management and vendor cost controls will help you speak the language of the role and demonstrate your commercial acumen.
β¨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the fleet services and logistics sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into best practices and current trends, which could be beneficial during interviews.
β¨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've improved financial performance or operational efficiency in previous roles. Highlighting your experience with P&L responsibility and cost tracking will showcase your suitability for this commercially focused position.
β¨Tip Number 4
Research StudySmarter and our approach to fleet maintenance. Understanding our business model and how we deliver value to customers will allow you to tailor your discussions and show how you can contribute to our goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager β Fleet Maintenance
Some tips for your application π«‘
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in commercial management, finance, and operations. Focus on achievements that demonstrate your ability to manage budgets, improve processes, and drive efficiency.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your background aligns with the key responsibilities outlined in the job description, particularly your experience with vendor management and financial oversight.
Highlight Relevant Skills: Emphasise skills that are crucial for this position, such as financial acumen, process improvement, and strong communication abilities. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate these skills in action.
Showcase Industry Knowledge: If you have experience in fleet services, logistics, or any related industry, make sure to mention it. Demonstrating an understanding of the sector will show that you are well-prepared for the challenges of the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hireco World
β¨Understand the Financial Metrics
Familiarise yourself with key financial metrics relevant to the maintenance division. Be prepared to discuss how you would monitor contract-level profitability and manage budgets effectively.
β¨Showcase Process Improvement Experience
Highlight your experience in analysing procedures and implementing best practices. Be ready to provide examples of how you've driven efficiency and cost savings in previous roles.
β¨Demonstrate Vendor Management Skills
Discuss your experience working with vendors and managing commercial agreements. Prepare to explain how you would ensure vendor performance aligns with the company's financial goals.
β¨Communicate Cross-Functionally
Emphasise your ability to work across different teams and influence without direct control. Share examples of how you've collaborated with various departments to achieve common objectives.