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Director of Fleet Maintenance

Knight's Companies

Knight's Companies

Summerville, SC, USA
Posted on Sep 27, 2025
Description

Purpose:

The Director of Fleet Maintenance is responsible for strategic leadership, oversight, and optimization of all fleet and equipment maintenance operations across multiple locations. This role ensures maximum fleet reliability, cost efficiency, compliance, and safety while aligning maintenance strategies with organizational goals. The Director will lead a team of technicians, shop staff, and managers, and will oversee vendor relations, budget management, and key performance indicators to ensure best-in-class fleet operations.

Essential Responsibilities

  • Develop and execute fleet maintenance strategies that reduce downtime, extend equipment life, and align with company objectives.
  • Oversee in-house and external maintenance teams to ensure timely, high-quality repairs.
  • Utilize fleet management systems to track maintenance history, performance analytics, and lifecycle costs.
  • Manage inventory levels, audits, and stock controls to ensure parts availability while preventing overstock.
  • Evaluate and negotiate vendor contracts from a total cost perspective, including service, warranty, and liability.
  • Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and all federal, state, and local motor vehicle safety regulations.
  • Maintain accurate documentation, including Driver Vehicle Inspection Reports (DVIRs), inspections, timesheets, and hazardous material disposal records.
  • Partner with operations, HR, finance, and executive leadership to align fleet operations with business needs.
  • Support capital projects, procurement planning, fleet acquisitions, and site expansions.
  • Establish KPIs and provide executive reporting on fleet performance, cost efficiencies, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders and external vendors.
  • Collaborate with Safety teams to implement safety programs and monitor incidents.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop maintenance managers, technicians, and staff to foster a high-performance culture.
  • Support recruitment, succession planning, and training to attract and retain top talent.
  • Ensure work areas are clean, safe, and organized, holding team members accountable for standards.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in business administration, fleet management, engineering, or related field (preferred).
  • 5 to 7 years’ experience in fleet management, fleet operations, maintenance systems, and shop management.
  • Demonstrated success managing capital projects, vendor relationships, and preventative maintenance programs.
  • Experience managing budgets, vendor contracts, and P&L accountability.
  • Knowledge of compliance standards, DOT and OSHA requirements, and preventative/predictive maintenance practices.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; experience with fleet management software preferred.
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and project management skills.
  • Experience in plant setup, relocation, or new plant commissioning.
  • Familiarity with OSHA, MSHA, and environmental regulations related to plant maintenance.
  • Ability to interpret technical documentation such as wiring diagrams, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
  • Strong communication and analytical skills.
  • Demonstrated understanding of MS office programs including Word, Excel and Outlook
  • Valid driver’s license in state of residency, with a clean driving record.

Physical Requirements

  • Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
  • Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, reach, and climb in and around fleet vehicles and shop areas.
  • Ability to lift up to 50 pounds unassisted and occasionally more with assistance.
  • Must be able to operate standard office equipment and fleet-related diagnostic tools.
  • Visual acuity and manual dexterity required to inspect, maintain, and repair fleet equipment.
  • Ability to work in a variety of environments, including indoor shop settings and outdoor job sites, in varying weather conditions.
  • Ability to travel between company sites as needed.