Fleet Operations Manager

Role: Fleet Operations Manager
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Hours: Monday – Friday 08:00 – 18:00
Salary: £70,000 - £80,000kpa plus company vehicle
Career progression: Development onto Operations Director

Freight Force Recruitment Ltd are acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this permanent vacancy.

Overview

Freight Force Recruitment Ltd are proud to be working in partnership with a family-owned business based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, specializing in trailer contract hire, rental, sales, and maintenance services across the UK and Europe.

Established in 1993, our client has grown over three decades into a leading provider of bespoke trailer solutions. Operating a fleet of over 3,000 trailers and servicing a prestigious client base including Ford Motor Company, Furniture Village, Dunelm, Europa, NX Logistics, and Woodlands Logistics, our client has built a reputation for reliability, quality, and growth. Our clients purpose-built Hemel Hempstead headquarters includes a 5-bay workshop with two ATF lanes, a load simulator bay, three brake testers, and a dedicated team working day and night to maintain our fleet and serve external customers.

With a stable financial track record and a strong focus on internal development, our client offers secure, long-term career prospects in a supportive and progressive environment.

Role Overview

We are seeking a proactive and driven General / Operations Manager to join our team at our Hemel Hempstead headquarters. Reporting directly to the Operations Director, this role plays a pivotal part in the day-to-day leadership of the operations team, supporting the ongoing development and performance of the Workshop, Service, and Tyre departments.

This position is also well-suited for an ambitious individual looking to progress toward board-level responsibilities in the future as our client is offering a clear progression plan into an Operations Director role.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate closely with the Operations Director to understand and support the department’s goals and vision.
• Gradually take on operational responsibilities to free up the Operations Director for strategic initiatives.
• Provide regular reporting on departmental KPIs, performance, and efficiency.
• Lead and motivate teams to ensure daily operations and long-term planning are carried out smoothly.
• Oversee the Workshop, Service, and Tyre departments to maintain seamless processes and high customer service standards.
• Monitor departmental budgets and ensure all recoverable costs (e.g., recharges, damage, warranty claims) are identified and processed with appropriate margins.
• Support continuous improvement efforts across operations.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong background in operations or general management, ideally with asset management experience.
• Proven ability to lead teams and manage multi-department operations.
• A people-focused leader with the ability to get the best out of staff and recruit the right people into the right roles.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong customer focus, ensuring service levels and client satisfaction remain a top priority.

• Financial awareness and the ability to manage budgets and cost recovery processes.
• Excellent organizational skills and a proactive, hands-on approach in a fast-paced environment.

Workshop Department

• Oversee both day and night shifts, including four drivers and workshop admin staff.
• Ensure timely and accurate job card completion, MOT prep, bookings, part usage tracking, and recharge documentation.
• Support the Workshop Manager with effective communication to customers and depots regarding collections and deliveries.
• Guarantee all paperwork is completed correctly and uploaded to relevant systems.
• The workshop operates five days per week during the day and four nights per week, with a total of eight workshop engineers.

Service Department

• Manage compliance, routine servicing, and breakdown response for the fleet and external customers.
• Oversee a nationwide subcontractor network and coordinate three company service vans.
• Ensure efficient scheduling and high service standards across all maintenance activities.
• Operate three of our own mobile technicians based across Kent, Derby, and Hemel Hempstead, delivering direct on-site service support.

Tyre Department

• Supervise a dedicated Tyre Controller responsible for managing Tyre operations across the entire fleet.
• Oversee stock levels, supply chain, budgeting, and warranty claims.
• Ensure Tyre contractors are effectively coordinated, and all Tyre-related recharges are accurately captured and processed.
• Monitor performance and cost-efficiency within Tyre operations to support fleet availability and safety.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a strong, reputable business and be part of a growing, respected team with a long-standing reputation and family-focused ethos. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step into a key leadership role and make a tangible impact