At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a growing fleet of commercial vehicles and ensure compliance and cost efficiency.
- Company: Join London Fire Solutions, a leader in passive fire protection since 2011.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension, health support, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and professional development in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Take ownership of a vital fleet and make a real impact on safety and efficiency.
- Qualifications: Experience in fleet management, strong numerical skills, and a full UK driving licence.
Fleet & Transport Manager Gillingham, Kent | Full-time, permanent | £45,000–£55,000 depending on experience
About us London Fire Solutions (LFS) was set up in 2011 and is a specialist passive fire protection business covering fire doors, fire stopping, surveys and maintenance.
We manufacture our own fire doors at our 21,000 sq ft facility in Gillingham, work across London, the South Coast and the Midlands, and have clear plans to keep growing through to 2030.
The role Our fleet has grown with the business.
We now run around 65 commercial vehicles plus the LFS Passive Fire Bus, our mobile training double decker bus.
That costs roughly £1.3m a year, and the figure will go up as we grow.
We're looking for a Fleet & Transport Manager to take full ownership of it.
That means keeping the fleet compliant and well organised.
It also means controlling the cost, planning ahead and making sure we only pay for vehicles we actually need.
You'll report to our Head of Operations and work closely with Finance, Operations and Health & Safety.
- What you'll be doing
- Keeping one accurate fleet register covering every vehicle, driver, contract, cost and key date
- Setting and managing the fleet budget with Finance, and producing a monthly report covering spend against budget, cost per vehicle, utilisation, vehicles off road, damage, contract expiries and key risks
- Reviewing how every vehicle is used, and removing or reallocating any we don't need
- Managing leasing, hire, maintenance, fuel and insurance suppliers: benchmarking prices, negotiating terms, challenging poor service and recovering credits
- Planning renewals, MOTs, servicing and replacements well in advance, with a rolling 18-month fleet plan that includes where EVs make sense
- Keeping the fleet and our drivers compliant, including licence checks, vehicle checks, driver policies and roadworthiness
- Getting to the bottom of accident and damage costs, and working with Operations and Health & Safety to bring them down
- Cutting avoidable costs such as excess mileage, unnecessary hire, lease-return damage and early termination charges
What we're looking for
- Proven experience managing a commercial vehicle fleet, ideally of a similar size
- Strong with numbers: budgets, cost analysis and clear monthly reporting, with good Excel skills
- Experience of vehicle leasing, supplier management and negotiation
- Good working knowledge of fleet compliance and transport legislation
- Transport Manager CPC preferred. If you don't hold it, you'll need to be willing to get it within 12 months, and we'll pay for it
- Experience of telematics and fuel card systems (we use Radius)
- Well organised, plans ahead and takes ownership of problems through to a solution
- Confident challenging drivers, managers and suppliers when something isn't right
- Full UK driving licence
What we offer
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount scheme
- Health & wellbeing support
- Life insurance
If this sounds like you, apply with your CV and a short note on the fleets you've managed: size, vehicle types, budget and any savings you've delivered
Fleet & Transport Manager employer: London Fire Solutions
London Fire Solutions is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture in Gillingham, where your skills as a Wood Machinist will be valued and nurtured. With competitive salaries, ongoing training, and clear pathways for career progression, you will thrive in a company committed to quality and safety in the fire protection industry. Enjoy additional benefits such as extra annual leave for each year of service, a Cycle to Work scheme, and a friendly team environment that prioritises your professional growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Fleet & Transport Manager
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We think you need these skills to ace Fleet & Transport Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience:When you're applying for a role in the transportation and logistics sector at London Fire Solutions, make sure to highlight any relevant experience. Whether it's moving goods, coordinating schedules, or using transportation management software, give us the lowdown on your past gigs. It'll paint a clearer picture of what you're capable of!
Quantify Your Achievements:Numbers speak volumes in logistics! If you've optimised routes, reduced delivery times, or improved customer satisfaction, mention those incredible stats in your CV. This gives us concrete evidence of your impact and showcases your problem-solving skills.
Tailor That Cover Letter:Your cover letter should be more than just a formality—let it breathe your personality and passion for logistics! Explain why you're excited about the role at London Fire Solutions and how you can contribute to our team. Don't forget to tie in specific skills or experiences that relate to the job description.
Research and Reflect:Before you hit 'submit,' spend some time digging into London Fire Solutions. Understand our mission, values, and the specific challenges in the logistics industry. This will help you craft a targeted application that shows you truly want to be part of our crew, setting you apart from the rest!
How to prepare for a job interview at London Fire Solutions
✨Know Your Logistics Basics
Get familiar with the key principles of transportation and logistics, like supply chain management, inventory control, and route optimisation. You might get asked practical questions about how to improve efficiency, so brush up on your problem-solving skills and be prepared to discuss any relevant software tools you've used.
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In logistics, employers love to gauge how you'd handle real-life situations. Expect scenario-based questions where you’ll need to demonstrate your decision-making skills, like how to manage delays or coordinate shipments during a crisis. Practise outlining your thought process clearly and logically.
✨Highlight Your Teamwork Experience
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In our world of logistics, missing a small detail can lead to big problems. Be prepared to discuss instances where your attention to detail saved the day, whether it was engaging with clients, managing documentation, or tracking shipments accurately. This will help demonstrate how you can be a reliable asset to London Fire Solutions.
