Fleet & Workshop Manager Job Vacancy at Thomson Safaris

Fleet & Workshop Manager Job Vacancy at Thomson Safaris

Position: Fleet & Workshop Manager 

Reports To: General Manager 

Job Summary 

Fleet & Workshop Manager is responsible for overseeing the maintenance, repair and operational readiness  of all vehicles and mechanical assets. The role ensures maximum vehicle uptime, safety, reliability, and cost  efficiency to support seamless operations. The Fleet & Workshop Manager reports primarily to the General  Manager and works closely with Operations and Transport Management, and the Finance Manager on  planning, reporting, budgeting, and compliance matters. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Fleet Management & Operational Readiness 

• Oversee the daily operations of the safari fleet (4×4 vehicles, transfers, support vehicles). • Ensure all vehicles are roadworthy, safe, and safari-ready at all times. 
• Develop and implement preventive maintenance schedules. 
• Monitor vehicle performance, breakdown trends, and lifecycle planning. 
• Coordinate vehicle availability based on safari schedules and operational needs. • Maintain accurate fleet performance records. 

2. Workshop & Maintenance Oversight 

• Manage workshop operations, tools, equipment, and spare parts inventory. 
• Ensure timely diagnostics, repairs, servicing, and overhauls. 
• Implement quality control checks on all repairs and maintenance work. 
• Routinely review and develop vehicle procedures to continually contribute to and improve Standard  Operating Procedures (where applicable to fit the current situation) 
• Reduce repeat breakdowns through root-cause analysis. 
• Maintain complete and accurate service histories. 

3. Preventive & Corrective Maintenance 

• Develop structured preventive maintenance program for the fleet 
• Ensure pre-safari vehicle inspections are conducted daily. 
• Respond promptly to breakdowns in the field, including remote bush recoveries. • Develop structured preventive maintenance programs
• Maintain repair turnaround efficiency to minimize vehicle downtime 

4. Spare Parts & Inventory Management 

• Forecast and manage spare parts requirements. 
• Maintain optimal stock levels of critical parts 
• Track and control parts issuance and workshop consumables 
• Manage price negotiations and market scanning to obtain optimum value for the company • Approve parts requests, requisitions, and purchase orders after verifying necessity and integrity. • Identify and manage qualified third-party vendors for bodywork, fabrication, specialized mechanical  or electrical work 
• Monitor outsourced work to ensure quality standards and cost effectiveness 

5. Budgeting & Cost Control 

• Prepare and manage fleet and workshop budgets. 
• Monitor fuel consumption and identify inefficiencies. 
• Track maintenance costs per vehicle/kilometre and recommend replacement timelines. • Provide monthly cost and performance reports to management. 
• Monitor workshop operational expenses including overtime, transport use, and consumables. • Control spare parts inventory and reduce waste/pilferage. 

6. Compliance & Safety 

• Ensure vehicle maintenance service staff comply with OSHA, Police, Fire, LATRA, Insurance,  TANROADS, TRA etc and environmental laws and regulations, manage to mitigate risks in the  workplace, and ensure that the Department is compliant and certified, with all required paperwork  and reporting updated and filed. 
• Manage crises and immediate priorities: 

o Assess risk: Continually assess organizational and operational risks and eventualities and develop capabilities, reach, solutions and options to be able to manage and mitigate those risks at base and across the field and range of vehicle operations. 

o Ensure day to day critical issues are dealt with before they grow into big issues: Deal with and  address immediate critical workflows, staff, materials and other resources issues 

affecting vehicles (these cannot be specified but will be dealt with as they arise for immediate action) 

o Be ready at all times to handle a crisis: Be available on the phone at any hour to receive emergency calls and to coordinate emergency responses to deal with vehicle breakdowns, accidents and faults.

o Handle a crisis appropriately: Follow the Crisis Management procedures of the company and work with the crisis management team as appropriate and according to the scope and scale of a crisis 

• Conduct regular vehicle safety audits. 
• Train staff on safety procedures and emergency response protocols 

7. Reporting & Performance Monitoring 

• Prepare weekly and monthly fleet performance reports. 
• Track KPIs: fleet uptime, breakdown rates, repair turnaround time, and maintenance costs. • Provide management with data-driven recommendations for vehicle replacement or refurbishment. • Maintain accurate documentation for compliance and audits. 
• Work with operations departments, Reservations & Camping, to obtain and resolve clarity on vehicle  needs and planning, and the Corporate Manager’s staff in on the areas covering parts, materials and  financial resource planning and systems.  
• Take ownership of all steps and procedures to deliver the Vehicle reports on time, from logbook and  accounts data gathering with integrity and entry checks and follow up through to investigations and  resolving queries with vehicles and drivers, and, where disciplinary breaches have occurred,  implementing the appropriate disciplinary procedures. 
• Maintaining an updated record of vehicle compliance requirements and scheduling, to check  routinely and follow up to ensure compliance including all necessary vehicle stickers and documents  to be carried in the cars, Vehicle Licenses, Vehicle radio licenses, insurance, registration card details,  TALA/TTLB and routinely provide the record to the relevant operations Head of Department and  Corporate Manager 

8. Team Leadership & Training 

• Train, and supervise workshop staff. 
• Diligently oversee and approve the procurement of vehicle parts, vehicle maintenance equipment  and various other items required in a vehicle service department by reviewing all parts requests  (IROs) and purchase orders (LPOs) for integrity and necessity and checking the delivery of procured  parts that they are legitimate, meet the expected quality standards and cost. 
• Conduct performance evaluations. 
• Oversee the disposal of wastes such as used engine oil, so as to ensure adherence to health and safety  and environmental laws 
• Provide technical training and mentorship to mechanics. 
• Oversee the inspection of vehicles to identify faulty components and facilitate process for repairs • Promote a culture of accountability, safety, and excellence.
• Coordinate with safari guides and operations teams to address vehicle concerns. 

9. Field Support & Remote Operations 

• Provide technical support during safaris in remote areas. 
• Organize recovery operations for breakdowns in difficult terrain. 
• Ensure vehicles are equipped with emergency kits and recovery tools. 
• Develop contingency plans for fleet failures during peak season. 

Qualifications & Experience 

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Technology, or related field. 
• Minimum 6+ years’ experience in fleet or workshop management. 
• Experience managing 4×4 safari vehicles (Land Rover Defender and Toyota Land Cruiser). • Strong diagnostic and mechanical troubleshooting skills. 
• Strong understanding of cost control, inventory management, and reporting systems. • Experience working with fleet or TMS software. 

Key Competencies 

• Strong leadership and team management skills. 
• Advanced mechanical and technical expertise. 
• Data-driven decision-making 
• Financial discipline and analytical thinking. 
• Inventory and cost control management. 
• Strong planning and organizational ability. 
• Excellent communication skills. 

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV, copies of academic certificates and a cover letter detailing their  relevant experience and qualifications to: [email protected] by March 25th 2026.

Please  include “Fleet & Workshop Manager” in the subject line.