Fleet Director in London

About OnCue Transport: OnCue specialises in the provision of care-led, compliant, and scalable non-emergency patient transport services to ICB’s, NHS Trusts, and Ambulance providers. Great service is paramount for our continued expansion and the trust of our partners.

Our Mission: To create value for our customers and partners by delivering an innovative and care driven patient transport solution.

Our Vision: To be recognised as a leader in our industry because of our innovation, and commitment to care for our patients, employees, and partners.

Teamwork is critical for success therefore you should maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of OnCue.

The Job: Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), the Fleet Director will lead the strategic and operational oversight of the fleet department, ensuring vehicles, uniforms, and equipment are consistently ready for service while maintaining cost control across all departmental functions. This role will work closely with the CFO, CEO, Operations Director, and Compliance and Training Officer to align fleet operations with company objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Fleet Readiness and Operations: Oversee vehicle hire department functions, including vehicle allocations, hire agreements, and service level agreements (SLAs) for Driver Companions (DCs). Lead the development and management of a pilot scheme for a "drop-in/drop-out" service, managing 10-15 vehicles for DCs who can commit to 2-3 days per week, ensuring seamless integration with overall fleet operations. Develop and implement strategies to ensure the fleet is healthy, compliant, and operationally ready, proactively identifying and resolving issues with internal teams and external vendors while optimising costs. Manage scheduling for service maintenance, MOT, deep cleaning, and refresher training to minimise downtime and ensure compliance. Oversee breakdown response, vehicle recovery, and coordination with external providers (e.g., RAC) for timely and cost-effective resolutions. Ensure proper management of fuel cards, PCN (Penalty Charge Notices), vehicle RFL (Road Fund Licence), insurance, and licence checks for DCs, with a focus on cost efficiency.
• Uniform, PPE, and Equipment Management: Design and implement a robust system for stock management, issuing, and cost control of uniforms, PPE kits, and ID cards to ensure Driver Companions are fully equipped while maintaining cost efficiency and inventory accuracy. Oversee equipment repairs and maintenance, coordinating with external vendors to ensure cost-effective solutions.
• Vehicle Familiarisation and Training: Review and, if necessary, enhance existing processes for vehicle familiarisation and training in collaboration with the Compliance and Training Officer to ensure DCs are confident and compliant in operating rented ambulances. Ensure training processes align with regulatory requirements and support the operational needs of the drop-in/drop-out pilot scheme.
• Vendor and Supply Chain Management: Collaborate with the Head of Garage Functions to manage relationships with external garages for scheduled maintenance, MOT, deep cleaning, motor repairs, bodywork repairs, and equipment repairs, ensuring cost-effectiveness. Conduct regular governance checks on the outsourced supply chain to ensure compliance with company standards, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements, while monitoring costs. Negotiate and monitor estimates, service agreements, and performance of external vendors to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and adherence to SLAs. Foster strong, collaborative relationships with vendors, driving accountability and continuous improvement in service delivery and cost management.
• Cost Control Across the Department: Develop and implement cost control measures across all fleet department functions, including vehicle hire, maintenance, uniform and PPE management, and supply chain operations, to optimise financial performance. Monitor and analyse departmental expenditures, identifying opportunities for cost savings without compromising quality or operational readiness. Work closely with the CFO to align fleet operations with budgetary goals and provide regular reports on cost performance and savings initiatives.
• Operational Efficiency and Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the Operations Director and Compliance and Training Officer to ensure cross-market consistency in fleet operations and deploy procedural or technological changes (e.g., Samsara fleet management system). Provide performance updates, data-driven insights, and recommendations to the COO, CFO, and CEO to drive continuous improvement in fleet readiness, efficiency, and cost control across all functions, including uniform, PPE, training, and supply chain management. Oversee the implementation of systems like Samsara for vehicle tracking and management, ensuring proper utilisation and reporting, including for the drop-in/drop-out pilot scheme.
• Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including vehicle licensing, insurance, and driver checks (e.g., whitelist, licence verification) for Driver Companions, including those in the drop-in/drop-out scheme. Proactively identify potential challenges, develop risk mitigation strategies, and plan remediation steps to maintain operational continuity while minimising costs. Manage the drop-in/drop-out pilot scheme processes for vehicles entering or leaving the fleet, ensuring seamless transitions and efficient scheduling for part-time DCs.
• Leadership and Strategic Oversight: Lead the fleet department by setting a clear vision, inspiring teams, and aligning operations with organisational goals, with a focus on cost control and efficiency. Mentor internal teams and external partners, providing guidance to enhance fleet readiness, operational efficiency, supply chain governance, training processes, and cost management. Drive accountability for performance across all fleet-related functions, ensuring timely delivery, quality outcomes, and cost-effective operations.

Skills required: 5+ years of experience in commercial operations, logistics, or fleet management, with a focus on fleet readiness initiatives and cost control. Proven ability to manage daily operational tasks while maintaining efficiency, meeting deadlines, and optimising costs. Demonstrated experience managing multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and high-quality outcomes within budget constraints. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, external partners, and senior leadership, including the Compliance and Training Officer. Excellent analytical skills, with the ability to interpret data, identify gaps, and make informed decisions, particularly in stock, cost control, training, and supply chain governance. 2+ years of professional experience in automotive service, maintenance, or fleet operations.