Fleet & Engineering Manager

Location: Flexible – can be based in any of the following locations:

• Service Headquarters – Exeter
• Any of the Fleet workshop locations: Plymouth
• Wellington
• South Molton
• Contract: Permanent, full time – 37 hours per week.

Salary:Grade 9 – starting at£55,224and rising annually to£59,311

Make a difference in your community

Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, the largest non-metropolitan Fire and Rescue Service in England, is looking for an experienced and motivated Fleet and Engineering Manager to join our Fleet and Procurement team.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead the management and development of our fleet, engineering and maintenance services, helping to ensure our vehicles, operational equipment and assets are safe, compliant, reliable and ready to support emergency response across Devon and Somerset.

Find out more

As Fleet and Engineering manager you will oversee the safe, legal, efficient and effective operation of the Service’s transport fleet, operational equipment and associated facilities.

You will lead and develop the:

• Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance Teams
• Fleet Administration Team
• Hydrant Maintenance Team

You will be responsible for fleet capital and revenue budgets, the Fleet Replacement Plan, fleet compliance, asset management systems and the delivery of key strategic objectives.

Key responsibilities:

• Act as the Service’s professional lead for fleet management and fulfil the responsibilities associated with the Operator’s Licence, including holding a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Haulage (Transport Managers CPC).
• Lead Fleet Engineering, Fleet Administration and Hydrant Maintenance operations, facilities and staff.
• Manage planned and reactive maintenance programmes for service-owned and leased vehicles, equipment and assets.
• Oversee Fleet and Asset Management systems and associated ICT solutions.
• Develop and implement fleet strategies, policies and procedures and operational plans.
• Manage budgets, financial planning and expenditure, ensuring value for money and cost-effective fleet provision.
• Deliver and monitor Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Ensure vehicle maintenance meets DVSA requirements and NFCC Best Practice Guidance.
• Ensure operational equipment maintenance complies with PUWER and LOLER regulations.
• Produce fleet performance data, reports and management information to support decision making across the Service.
• Manage vehicle maintenance schedules, leased vehicle compliance and recall programmes.
• Support Service Delivery through effective management of vehicles, operational equipment and water supplies (hydrants).
• Manage Duty Transport Officer and Duty Technician rotas.
• Lead, develop and support staff through performance reviewing, mentoring and training.
• Represent the Service at local, regional and national meetings and events.
• Maintain professional knowledge through continuing professional development and industry engagement.

Compliance and Standards:

• Relevant transport, maintenance, health and safety, environmental and data protection legislation.
• Service policies, procedures and financial regulations.
• DVSA requirements and NFCC best practice and guidance.
• Industry fleet management standards and best practice
• Agreed SLAs and KPIs.

Why Join us:

At Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, you’ll enjoy a rewarding career with a direct impact on public safety and community resilience.

We also offer an extensive benefits package, which includes:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous Pension Scheme.
• Excellent annual leave entitlement.
• Family Friendly policies.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• Free gym access and fitness coaching
• Physiotherapy and eye care support
• Blue Light Membership and associated discounts.
• Benenden Health Care options
• Access to the Firefighters Charity
• Confidential counselling and wellbeing support
• Cycle to work scheme
• Active sports and social groups.

If you have any questions, or if you would like to speak to someone to find out more about the role, please contact Melanie Walsh – Head of Fleet and Procurement viamwalsh@dsfire.gov.uk, or 07712 556570.

Essential Qualifications:

To apply you must hold:

• Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) in Road Haulage Operations (Transport Managers CPC)
• Engineering or technical qualification in Vehicle Engineering and Maintenance (e.g. City & Guilds, NVQ or equivalent), preferably through an apprenticeship.
• Membership of a recognised professional engineering body (e.g. IRTE, SOE) and / or Engineering Council accreditation (EngTech, IEng)
• Health and Safety Qualification (NEBOSH or IOSH)
• Leadership and Management qualification (e,g. ILM or CMgr).