Fleet Service Manager

GPC (Gillette Pepsi Companies)•La Crosse, WI

6d•$89,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Fleet Service Manager is the regional team leader and primary technical expert responsible for supervising, mentoring, scheduling, and performing advanced diagnostics and repairs for GPC’s fleet and warehouse equipment operations across La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato. The role directly supervises local Fleet & Equipment Technicians who perform routine preventive maintenance, while personally handling master-level mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hydraulic work beyond their current capabilities. This hands-on leader manages the centralized computerized maintenance and work-order system, schedules daily and weekly workflows across three locations, trains technicians, and supports uptime and regulatory compliance for gas and diesel trucks, trailers, electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, and warehouse machinery. The manager owns regional fleet and equipment performance, promotes continuous improvement, and partners with operations leadership to support safe, reliable, and cost-effective operations. The role requires regular travel between La Crosse, Wisconsin; Rochester, Minnesota; and Mankato, Minnesota. The work takes place in maintenance shops and may involve outdoor conditions during yard checks or road calls, exposure to moving mechanical parts, diagnostic equipment, fumes, oils and lubricants, industrial battery systems, and moderate-to-loud noise. Physical activities include standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, climbing, reaching, and frequently handling items weighing up to 50–75 pounds.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent required.
Five to seven years of progressive hands-on experience in commercial gas and diesel fleet maintenance, trailer repair, and industrial or material-handling equipment maintenance.
Extensive experience independently diagnosing and repairing medium- and heavy-duty gas and diesel trucks, commercial trailers, electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, walkie riders, and hydraulic and electrical control systems.
Demonstrated proficiency with computerized fleet maintenance or work-order software (CMMS) for preventive maintenance scheduling, technician workload assignment, and tracking repair history, parts, and labor.
Advanced ability to read electrical wiring diagrams, hydraulic schematics, and OEM service manuals, and to operate computerized diagnostic scan tools and electrical testing equipment.
DOT Inspector and Brake Qualification under 49 CFR 396.19 and 396.25 required.
Strong interpersonal, coaching, and organizational skills, including the ability to train entry-level technicians, supervise a multi-site team, and collaborate with operations leadership.
Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
Class A CDL required, or ability to obtain it within an established timeframe.
Ability to travel regularly between La Crosse, Wisconsin; Rochester, Minnesota; and Mankato, Minnesota.
Ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, and reach while performing repairs and training.
Ability to frequently lift, carry, push, or pull tools, tires, batteries, and equipment components weighing up to 50–75 pounds; shop hoists, jacks, and lifting devices are used for heavier assemblies.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree or formal vocational/technical training in Diesel Technology, Heavy Equipment Maintenance, or Industrial Mechanics.
Two years of experience in a lead technician, shop foreman, mentor, or supervisory role.
ASE Master Medium/Heavy Truck Certification (T1–T8).
Manufacturer-specific material handling equipment training.

Responsibilities

Provide daily direction, workflow coordination, and performance feedback to Fleet & Equipment Technicians across La Crosse, Rochester, and Mankato.
Use the centralized CMMS to prioritize and assign daily work, balance preventive maintenance with urgent repairs, and coordinate technician schedules across all locations.
Direct and audit standardized preventive maintenance, including oil and filter changes, chassis lubrication, tire changes and rotations, hose replacements, and lighting, brake, and safety inspections.
Ensure preventive maintenance, inspections, diagnostics, parts usage, labor hours, and outside vendor expenses are accurately documented in the computerized work-order system.
Coordinate equipment downtime with branch leadership to minimize disruption to delivery and warehouse operations.
Mentor and coach developing technicians, assess their competency, and provide hands-on training in maintenance, repairs, electrical troubleshooting, and DOT inspections.
Establish and enforce consistent maintenance checklists, diagnostic workflows, tool care, and quality-control standards across the three branches.
Review work orders and conduct spot-check audits to verify workmanship, safety compliance, and repair quality.
Diagnose and perform complex mechanical, electrical, electronic, and hydraulic repairs beyond the qualifications of local branch technicians.
Perform advanced diagnostics and major repairs on gas and diesel vehicles and commercial trailers, including engines, transmissions, drivetrains, braking systems, suspension, steering, emissions systems, and electronic control modules.
Diagnose and repair electric forklifts, electric pallet jacks, walkie riders, and warehouse equipment, including drive motors, controllers, contactors, sensors, batteries, charging systems, and hydraulic components.
Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair warehouse machinery such as pallet wrappers, conveyors, air compressors, dock doors and levelers, and automated warehouse equipment.
Use OEM and multi-brand diagnostic software, multimeters, electrical testing equipment, wiring schematics, and hydraulic diagrams to identify root causes of failures.
Perform specialized welding, fabrication, and component replacement in accordance with safety and manufacturer standards.
Oversee and perform Federal DOT Annual Vehicle Inspections, DVIR repair verifications, and OSHA Powered Industrial Truck safety compliance across all three locations.
Enforce DOT and OSHA Lockout/Tagout procedures, high-voltage battery and charging safety, hazardous materials handling, PPE use, and shop organization.
Monitor maintenance expenses and provide repair-versus-replacement recommendations based on safety, cost, equipment age, lifecycle, and operational impact.
Coordinate parts procurement and critical inventory, manage external vendor repairs, and track recalls, service bulletins, and warranty claims.