Fleet Service Manager

Fleet Service ManagerThe Fleet Service Manager serves as both the regional leader and the primary technical expert responsible for the mentorship, scheduling, and advanced diagnostics of GPC's fleet and warehouse equipment operations across La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato.This role directs and mentors local Fleet & Equipment Technicians who perform routine preventive maintenance (PMs)—such as tire changes and rotations, oil and fluid services, hose replacements, and DOT inspections—while personally executing master-level mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hydraulic repairs that exceed the current skill set of branch technicians. Operating as a hands-on leader and coach, the Fleet and Equipment Manager manages the centralized work-order system, schedules daily and weekly technician workflows across all three locations, elevates team capabilities through structured hands-on training, and ensures maximum uptime and regulatory compliance across all gas and diesel trucks, trailers, electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and warehouse machinery.As a trusted technical leader and mentor, this individual takes ownership of regional fleet and equipment performance, builds technician capability across branches, identifies opportunities for continuous improvement, and partners with operations leadership to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations.Essential Responsibilities: Multi-Site Team Scheduling & Work Order Management Direct Regional Technicians: Provide daily direction, workflow coordination, and performance feedback for Fleet & Equipment Technicians located across the La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato facilities. Daily & Weekly Scheduling: Manage the centralized work-order and fleet maintenance system (CMMS) to build, prioritize, and assign daily work schedules for technicians at all three locations, balancing scheduled preventive maintenance with urgent operational repairs. Preventive Maintenance (PM) Oversight: Direct and audit branch technicians in executing standardized PM schedules and routine checks, including oil and filter changes, chassis lubrication, tire changes and rotations, hydraulic and coolant hose replacements, lighting, brakes, and safety inspections. Work Order & Asset Documentation: Ensure 100% of preventive maintenance, routine inspections, diagnostics, parts utilization, labor hours, and outside vendor expenses are accurately entered and tracked in the computerized work-order system. Cross-Branch Operational Alignment: Partner with branch leadership in La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato to schedule equipment downtime without disrupting daily beverage delivery or warehouse picking operations. Technician Training, Mentorship & Skill Development Hands-On Technical Coaching: Serve as the primary mentor and team leader for entry-level and developing technicians across all three branches, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and safety-first shop culture. Structured Skill Progression: Assess individual technician competency levels and deliver side-by-side, hands-on training to upskill staff from foundational PM tasks (tires, fluids, hoses, basic inspections) to intermediate mechanical repairs, electrical troubleshooting, and certified DOT inspections. Standardized Operating Procedures (SOPs): Establish, train, and enforce uniform maintenance checklists, diagnostic workflows, tool care, and quality control standards across La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato so every shop operates to the same high standard. Quality Assurance & Post-Repair Audits: Review completed work orders and perform spot-check quality audits on technician repairs to verify workmanship, safety compliance, and prevent repeat failures. Master-Level Diagnostics & Complex Repairs (Fleet & Warehouse Equipment) Escalated High-Level Repairs: Step in as the senior technical expert to diagnose, troubleshoot, and execute complex mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hydraulic repairs across La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato that local branch technicians are not yet qualified to perform. Gas, Diesel & Trailer Fleet: Perform advanced diagnostics and major component repairs on light-, medium-, and heavy-duty gas and diesel vehicles and commercial trailers, including engines, transmissions, drivetrains, air and hydraulic braking systems, suspension, steering, emissions/aftertreatment systems (DEF/DPF/SCR), and electronic control modules. Material Handling & Electric Equipment: Independently diagnose, service, and repair electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, walkie riders, and warehouse equipment, including electric drive motors, motor controllers, contactors, sensors, industrial batteries, charging systems, and hydraulic pumps, valves, and cylinders. Facility & Warehouse Machinery: Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair supporting warehouse machinery, including pallet wrappers, conveyors, air compressors, dock doors/levelers, and automated warehouse equipment supporting daily operations. Advanced Diagnostics & Fabrication: Utilize OEM and multi-brand diagnostic software, multimeters, electrical testing equipment, wiring schematics, and hydraulic diagrams to identify root causes of recurring failures; perform specialized welding, fabrication, and component replacement within safety and manufacturer standards. Regulatory Compliance, Safety & Financial Stewardship DOT & OSHA Compliance: Oversee and perform Federal DOT Annual Vehicle Inspections (49 CFR 396), Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR) repair verifications, and OSHA Powered Industrial Truck (29 CFR 1910.178) safety compliance across all three locations to maintain 100% audit readiness. Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) & Shop Safety: Enforce strict compliance with DOT and OSHA Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, high-voltage battery and charging safety, hazardous materials handling, PPE usage, and clean, organized maintenance environments at every branch. Cost Control & Repair-vs.-Replace Strategy: Monitor regional maintenance expenses, evaluate equipment condition and lifecycle costs, and provide data-driven repair-versus-replacement recommendations to leadership based on safety, cost, equipment age, and operational impact. Parts, Vendors & Warranty Recovery: Coordinate parts procurement and critical spare inventory across branches, manage external vendor repairs when specialized tooling or OEM authorization is required, and track manufacturer recalls, service bulletins, and warranty claims to maximize cost recovery.Requirements Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree or formal vocational/technical training in Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment Maintenance, or Industrial Mechanics strongly preferred. Experience: Minimum of 5 to 7 years of progressive hands-on experience in commercial gas and diesel fleet maintenance, trailer repair, and industrial/material handling equipment maintenance. 2 years in a lead technician, shop foreman, mentor, or supervisory role preferred Technical Mastery: Extensive experience independently diagnosing, troubleshooting, and repairing medium/heavy-duty diesel and gas trucks, commercial trailers, electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, walkie riders, and hydraulic/electrical control systems. Work Order & Scheduling Systems: Demonstrated proficiency using computerized Fleet Maintenance / Work Order software (CMMS) to schedule preventive maintenance, dispatch daily technician workloads, and track repair history, parts, and labor. Diagnostic Proficiency: Advanced skill in reading electrical wiring diagrams, hydraulic schematics, OEM service manuals, and operating computerized diagnostic scan tools and electrical testing equipment. Certifications: DOT Inspector & Brake Qualification (49 CFR 396.19 & 396.25) required; ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck Certification (T1–T8) and manufacturer-specific material handling equipment training strongly preferred. Leadership & Communication: Strong interpersonal, coaching, and organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to train entry-level technicians, supervise multi-site teams, and collaborate effectively with operations leadership. Licensing & Travel: Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record; Class A CDL required (or ability to obtain within an established timeframe). Ability to travel regularly between La Crosse, WI, Rochester, MN, and Mankato, MN. Physical Demands and Work Environment: Physical Activity: Regularly required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach with hands and arms while performing diagnostics, repairs, and hands-on training in shop environments. Lifting & Material Handling: Frequently required to lift, carry, push, or pull tools, tires, batteries, and equipment components weighing up to 50–75 pounds, utilizing shop hoists, jacks, and lifting devices for heavier assemblies. Shop Environment: Regular exposure to maintenance shop conditions across multiple facilities