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Job Description
Fleet & Equipment Maintenance Manager Confidential Search | Full-Time | On-Site | Orange County, California About the Opportunity An established heavy civil and underground utility contractor is seeking an experienced Fleet & Equipment Maintenance Manager to lead its in-house maintenance shop and yard operations. This leadership role oversees a team of nine employees, including mechanics, yard personnel, and parts/inventory staff, supporting approximately 200 fleet and equipment assets utilized in trenchless and underground construction operations. The Fleet & Equipment Maintenance Manager will have full responsibility for shop operations, preventive maintenance programs, maintenance budgeting, regulatory compliance, vendor management, and long-term fleet planning. Fleet & Equipment Profile The fleet includes a diverse mix of equipment, including: Class 8 tractors and vocational trucks, including crane, vacuum, dump, mixing, and semi-truck configurations Medium-duty service trucks, pickups, and crew vehicles Horizontal directional drilling (HDD) equipment Auger bore equipment Vacuum excavation trucks and trailers Mud systems, recyclers, shakers, centrifuges, power packs, and tank systems Bore, vacuum, reel, dump, and utility trailers Support equipment including skid steers, mini excavators, backhoes, forklifts, generators, light towers, scissor lifts, and rough-terrain lifting equipment Operations are centralized at a single facility operating primarily on a day-shift schedule with occasional weekend support requirements. Fleet management software is utilized to manage maintenance and compliance activities. Key Responsibilities Lead daily operations of the maintenance shop and yard team, including mechanics, yard personnel, and parts/inventory staff Oversee parts and inventory management, including purchasing controls, inventory accuracy, warranty recovery, and vendor account management Manage the full work order lifecycle within the fleet management platform Develop, maintain, and continuously improve preventive maintenance programs across all fleet and equipment categories Build, manage, and report against the annual maintenance budget, including cost-per-hour and cost-per-mile metrics Manage third-party service providers for specialized repairs, including engine, transmission, hydraulic, and OEM dealer services Maintain regulatory compliance programs, including
DOT/FMCSA
requirements and California-specific fleet regulations Provide data-driven fleet replacement and capital planning recommendations based on utilization, downtime, operating costs, and remaining useful life Ensure DVIRs, annual inspections, maintenance records, and compliance documentation remain audit-ready Recruit, develop, coach, and manage maintenance personnel Establish performance metrics and accountability systems that drive operational excellence Required Qualifications 7+ years of progressive experience in heavy-duty fleet maintenance, including advancement from technical roles into leadership positions 3+ years managing a maintenance shop team of five or more employees, including technicians and support staff Strong technical knowledge of diesel engines, hydraulics, drivetrains, and electrical systems Ability to evaluate repair strategies, review diagnostics, and audit vendor invoices for accuracy and quality Experience maintaining mixed fleets that include Class 8 trucks, medium-duty vehicles, trailers, and specialized hydraulic equipment Hands-on experience with Fleetio, Samsara, RTA, or comparable fleet management systems Working knowledge of
DOT/FMCSA
regulations and California fleet compliance requirements Experience managing maintenance budgets and improving fleet cost performance metrics Demonstrated leadership and team development skills Preferred Qualifications Experience supporting trenchless construction, HDD, auger bore, utility construction, or similar heavy equipment operations ASE Master Truck Certification or equivalent credentials Experience with major HDD and underground construction equipment manufacturers and dealer networks Experience rebuilding, modernizing, or optimizing preventive maintenance programs Fleet management software implementation or optimization experience Experience developing fleet replacement and lifecycle management models What Success Looks Like The ideal candidate combines strong technical credibility with disciplined operational leadership. This individual is comfortable leading experienced technicians, managing budgets, driving accountability, and making data-based decisions that improve equipment reliability and overall fleet performance. Successful fleet decisions are driven by utilization, maintenance costs, downtime trends, and total cost of ownership rather than age alone. The organization values practical analysis, sound judgment, and measurable results. First Six Months During the initial six months, the successful candidate will: Conduct a comprehensive review of all fleet and equipment assets Evaluate shop processes, personnel capabilities, work order management, and compliance systems Review maintenance history, vendor utilization, and operating costs Develop and present a written assessment with recommendations for operational improvements Establish measurable performance baselines and reporting metrics Improve preventive maintenance compliance and fleet documentation standards Create a roadmap for long-term fleet reliability and cost optimization Compensation & Benefits Competitive base salary Performance-based annual bonus opportunity Company vehicle or vehicle allowance Comprehensive health benefits Paid time off Significant operational autonomy and authority over maintenance operations Opportunity to make a measurable impact on fleet performance and business results
Pay:
$150,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Application Question(s): Please briefly describe the largest fleet or equipment operation you have managed, including the number of assets, types of equipment, team size, and your responsibilities.
