Car fleet manager Job Information | National Careers Service

Job profiles

Car fleet manager

Hours

37 per week
Starting salary

£26,000 + per year

A car fleet manager is responsible for running a company’s fleet of vehicles. They deal with the day-to-day operation of the fleet. This can range from a small number of cars to a large group of different vehicles. If you want to use your great organisational skills this job could be perfect for you.

To be a car fleet manager you will also need to have a flexible approach and the ability to make decisions quickly. You’ll also need to be able to motivate and lead a team.

Employers will look for IT skills and some experience of business management. You could also take a college course to gain some of the relevant knowledge and skills.

The work

As a car fleet manager, your job would include:

managing contracts and developing new business
scheduling service, MOT and repair programmes
finding cost-effective sources of new vehicles
coordinating the replacement of existing fleets
ensuring the security of the vehicles when not in use
organising staff cover.

You would use computer software to collect and analyse information about the fleet, which could include:

mileage and fuel costs
service schedules and maintenance histories
car availability and vehicle locations
the fleet's taxable value, capital value and depreciation rate.

You would also have to take into account vehicle manufacturers’ guidelines and government legislation.

In larger companies, you would work with business development professionals, account sales executives and fleet administrators.

For more information, see the Careers section on The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) website.

Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)

Hours

You would normally work 37 hours a week, Monday to Friday. You may have to work occasional late nights or weekends during busy periods.

Most of your work would take place in an office but you may be expected to visit garages, vehicle auctions and manufacturers’ vehicle launches.

Income

Fleet managers can earn between £26,000 and £40,000 a year.

Senior managers with strategic responsibilities can earn over £50,000 a year.

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Entry requirements

Employers look for leadership, organisational and IT skills. You would also normally need some experience of business management to move into car fleet management. Previous experience in logistics, vehicle leasing or transport administration would help you when applying for jobs.

You may be able to work your way up to this role after gaining experience in fleet administration. You could also take a college course to gain some of the relevant knowledge and skills. Courses include foundation degrees, BTEC HNDs or degrees in subjects like:

transport management
logistics
business management
operations management.

To search for foundation degrees, HNDs and degrees, see the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

If you already have a degree, you may be able to find a place on some of the larger fleet management companies’ graduate training schemes.

You would normally need a full driving licence.

Training and development

You would usually receive structured on-the-job training. This would cover the company's management methods, administration systems and policies.

You could improve your career prospects by doing the Institute of Car Fleet Management's (ICFM) flexible training programme, which leads to an award in Car Fleet Management. The award is offered at three levels and is tailored to your level of experience. It ranges from new entrant level through to experienced fleet manager, and comprises:

Introductory Certificate – fleet policy, vehicle supply and asset management
Certificate – business relationships, legal requirements, administration and finance
Diploma – computing systems, financial controls and quality assurance.

You can do the ICFM programme through a mix of distance learning, work-based assessments and residential courses. It is industry-recognised and endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management. See the ICFM website for more details.

Institute of Car Fleet Management Limited (ICFM)

Skills and knowledge

To be a car fleet manager, you should have:

strong organisation skills
good IT skills
the ability to interpret figures and spot trends
good maths skills for managing contracts
a flexible approach and the ability to make decisions quickly
excellent communication and negotiating skills
good motivational and leadership qualities
the ability to meet targets

More information

Institute of Car Fleet Management Limited (ICFM) (Opens new window)
Administration Centre
PO BOX 314
Chichester
PO20 9WZ
Tel: 01462 744914
www.icfm.com

Association of Car Fleet Operators (Opens new window)
35 Lavant Street
Petersfield
GU32 3EL
T: 01730 260162
E: info@acfo.org www.acfo.org

Institute of the Motor Industry (Opens new window)
Fanshaws
Brickendon
Hertford
SG13 8PQ
Tel: 01992 511521
www.motor.org.uk

Opportunities

You can find opportunities with companies that have their own fleet divisions, or with vehicle leasing companies, vehicle manufacturers and fleet management agencies.

With experience, you could progress to contracts manager or operations manager. You could also move into related areas such as transport or freight management, or start your own business offering fleet management services on a consultancy basis.

You may find the following websites useful for vacancies and general reading (links open in a new window):

Job profiles are based on the latest information supplied to us by industry bodies, such as Sector Skills Councils. Please be aware that with the introduction of the Qualifications and Credit Framework there has been, and will continue to be, changes to vocational qualifications. For more information, please check with industry bodies directly.

We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.

Related industry information

Industry summary

The vehicle rental and leasing industry is part of the automotive retail sector, represented by the IMI Automotive Sector Skills Council, which also includes: vehicle maintenance and repair; vehicle sales; and vehicle parts, distribution and supply. The UK automotive retail sector employs an estimated 514,572 people, accounting for 1.9% of the UK workforce. Future growth for the whole sector is forecast to be an increase of 2% by 2017.

The vehicle rental and leasing industry comprises the rental and leasing of all cars, light motor vehicles and trucks, which includes:

light motor vehicles and vans up to 3.5 tonnes
land‐transport equipment without drivers
trucks, haulage tractors, trailers and semi‐trailers
recreational vehicles

Key facts:

The vehicle rental and leasing industry accounts for 7.3% of all employment in the automotive retail sector.
There are an estimated 4,000 business units in the industry.

Jobs in the industry include: fleet controller, fleet manager, vehicle returns inspector, service technician, telephone receptionist.

National and regional data

East Midlands – There is an estimated 3,250 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 60% since 1998. The East Midlands accounts for 11% of all employment within the vehicle rental and leasing industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.

East of England – There is an estimated 3,020 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 2% since 1998. The East of England accounts for 10% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 4% in the region by 2017.

London – There is an estimated 3,937 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 18% since 1998. London accounts for 13% of all employment within the vehicle rental and leasing industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 14% in the region by 2017.

North East – There is an estimated 859 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 12% since 1998. The North East accounts for 3% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 11% in the region by 2017.

North West – There is an estimated 3,899 jobs in the industry, which is a fall of 28% since 1998. The region accounts for 13% of all employment within the vehicle rental and leasing industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 4% in the region by 2017.

South East – There is an estimated 5,061 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 23% since 1998. The South East accounts for 17% of all employment within the vehicle rental and leasing industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is set to increase by 17% in the region by 2017.

South West – There are an estimated 3,649 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 6% since 1998. The region accounts for 12% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 16% in the region by 2017.

West Midlands – There is an estimated 3,840 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 54% since 1998. The region accounts for 13% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by only 1% in the region by 2017.

Yorkshire and the Humber – There is an estimated 1,964 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 6% since 1998. The region accounts for 7% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 15% in the region by 2017.

Wales – There is an estimated 931 jobs in the industry, which is a rise of 17% since 1998. Wales accounts for 2% of all employment within the industry and 4% of all employment in the automotive retail sector. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to decline by 2% by 2017.

Scotland – There is an estimated 2,748 jobs in the industry, which is an increase of 40% since 1998. Scotland accounts for 8% of all employment within the industry. The automotive retail sector as a whole is forecast to increase by 1% by 2017.

The following data is for the automotive retail sector as a whole:

Northern Ireland – The automotive retail sector has seen a growth in employment over the past decade, to an estimated 13,893 jobs. Employment is forecast to continue to increase by 17% by 2017. It accounts for 3% of all national employment within the automotive retail sector.