De-Fleet Manager

Job Overview

The De-Fleet Manager is responsible for managing the end-to-end de-fleeting process of vehicles, ensuring efficient and timely preparation, valuation, and disposal of fleet vehicles. This role involves overseeing the inspection, refurbishment, compliance checks, and logistics of vehicles that are transitioning into the retail or wholesale market. The De-Fleet Manager ensures that all vehicles meet brand standards, market demands, and quality expectations before resale or redeployment.

Job Responsibilities

• Develop and implement de-fleet processes and procedures that align with dealership standards, industry regulations, and market expectations.
• Oversee the entire de-fleet lifecycle, from vehicle intake, inspection, reconditioning, compliance checks, to the final sale or disposal.
• Coordinate with the sales and finance teams to align the de-fleeting process with sales cycles and inventory needs.
• Maintain up-to-date records of all de-fleeted vehicles, ensuring accuracy in tracking each vehicle's journey through the de-fleet process.
• Supervise the inspection of de-fleeted vehicles, assessing each vehicle's condition, mileage, and market value to determine refurbishment needs.
• Collaborate with technicians and body shop teams to ensure that all necessary repairs, maintenance, and cosmetic enhancements are completed to meet resale standards.
• Implement quality assurance checks to verify that de-fleeted vehicles meet brand guidelines, safety standards, and customer expectations.
• Conduct market research to assess and update the fair market value of de-fleeted vehicles, ensuring competitive pricing for resale or wholesale.
• Manage inventory levels of de-fleeted vehicles, tracking inflow and outflow to support dealership sales targets and revenue goals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with third-party appraisers, wholesalers, and auction houses to optimize vehicle disposal channels.
• Ensure all de-fleeted vehicles comply with local and national regulations, including emission standards, safety certifications, and other legal requirements.
• Oversee the documentation process, ensuring all vehicles have the appropriate paperwork, service records, and ownership titles for a smooth transition to resale or disposal.
• Maintain compliance with dealership and industry standards for vehicle handling, environmental regulations, and waste management related to the de-fleet process.
• Lead and manage a team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.
• Provide training and mentorship to the team, ensuring a high level of skill and knowledge in de-fleet operations and vehicle assessments.
• Collaborate closely with the Sales, Finance, Customer Service, and Marketing teams to align de-fleet operations with broader dealership objectives and customer expectations.
• Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to track de-fleet efficiency, vehicle quality, and customer satisfaction related to pre-owned sales.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, reduce turnaround times, and optimize cost savings in the de-fleet process.
• Regularly analyze de-fleet data to gain insights into vehicle performance, market trends, and operational effectiveness, presenting findings to senior management with recommendations for improvement.
• Uphold company values throughout business practices and utilize sound judgment in decision making.
• Any other additional duties as may be required by management based on needs of the business

Work Experience

Work Experience

• A minimum of 5-7 years’ experience in fleet management, automotive dealership operations, or a similar role within the automotive industry.
• Proven experience in managing de-fleet or reconditioning processes is highly desirable

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Automotive Management, Operations, or a related field.

Skills/Behavioral Attributes

• Knowledge of vehicle inspection standards, de-fleet management software, and automotive inventory management systems. Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with CRM or ERP systems
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with internal teams, external partners, and customers effectively.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and motivate a team, manage cross-functional relationships, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.