Fleet Sustainability & Strategy Manager

United Utilities; Warrington; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

26 days annual leave

Pension up to 14% employer contrib

Bonus scheme up to 10.5%

Healthcare plan

EVolve Car Scheme

Job summary

United Utilities in Warrington seeks a strategic leader to shape the future of our fleet, balancing cost, resilience, and sustainability. You will own the long-term fleet strategy, steer investments, lifecycle planning, and drive efficiency across operations.

You’ll lead the sustainability agenda, evaluating decarbonisation options, EV transition, and alternative fuels, while ensuring regulatory compliance and governance.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in fleet management, sustainability, transport operations, or related field.
• UK driving licence is required for this role.
• Proven track record of strategic planning, transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, CAPEX investment programmes, and cost optimisation activities.
• Strong understanding of fleet compliance, Operator Licence requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Knowledge of fleet decarbonisation strategies, EV transition, and alternative fuel technologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and insights to inform decision-making and drive performance improvements.

Responsibilities

• Develop long-term fleet strategy aligned with business objectives and future operational needs.
• Lead fleet investment planning to maximise value and efficiency.
• Analyse fleet performance, utilisation, and cost trends to identify optimisation opportunities.
• Drive the green fleet agenda including decarbonisation, EVs and alternative fuels.
• Manage fleet lifecycle planning to ensure right vehicles and assets for operations.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to support innovation.
• Provide strategic oversight of fleet compliance, risk and governance.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a safe, sustainable, future-ready fleet.

Skills

Fleet management

Sustainability

Transport operations

UK driving licence

Strategic planning

Transformation

Continuous improvement

Budgets & CAPEX

Fleet compliance

Regulatory obligations

Decarbonisation

EV transition

Alternative fuels

Stakeholder management

Data analytics

Education

Degree in Engineering/Transport/Operations Management

Transport Manager CPC (desirable)

Lean Six Sigma (desirable)

Job description

The Role

We're looking for a strategic and forward-thinking leader to shape the future of our fleet, ensuring it remains cost-effective, resilient, sustainable, and fit for the challenges ahead.

This is a unique opportunity to lead across two critical areas. Firstly, you'll be responsible for developing our fleet strategy, providing insight and direction on fleet investment, capital and operational expenditure, asset lifecycle planning, utilisation, and long-term value. You'll analyse where we're spending, identify opportunities to optimise performance and efficiency, and ensure our fleet investments align with business objectives.

Secondly, you'll lead our sustainability agenda, developing and delivering a green fleet strategy that supports our environmental commitments. From evaluating alternative fuel technologies and vehicle electrification to optimising fleet profiles and reducing carbon emissions, you'll play a key role in transforming how we operate our fleet for a more sustainable future.

Working across the business and with external partners, you'll provide expert leadership on emerging technologies, innovation, regulatory requirements, and future fleet trends. You'll influence strategic decision-making, ensuring that our fleet remains compliant, operationally effective, and positioned to deliver long-term environmental and financial benefits.

What you’ll be doing

• Develop and deliver the long-term fleet strategy, ensuring alignment with business objectives and future operational needs.
• Lead fleet investment planning, overseeing capital and operational expenditure to maximise value and efficiency.
• Analyse fleet performance, utilisation, and cost trends to identify optimisation opportunities.
• Drive the green fleet agenda, including decarbonisation initiatives, vehicle electrification, and alternative fuel solutions.
• Manage fleet lifecycle planning, ensuring the right vehicles and assets are in place to support operational requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Provide strategic oversight of fleet compliance, risk, and governance requirements.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to deliver a safe, sustainable, and future-ready fleet.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Significant experience in fleet management, sustainability, transport operations, or a related field.
• UK driving license is required for this role.
• Proven track record of leading strategic planning, transformation, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Experience managing budgets, CAPEX investment programmes, and cost optimisation activities.
• Strong understanding of fleet compliance, Operator Licence requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Knowledge of fleet decarbonisation strategies, electric vehicle (EV) transition, and alternative fuel technologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, with the ability to build relationships across all levels.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data and insights to inform decision-making and drive performance improvements.

Qualifications

• Degree level qualification, or equivalent experience, in Engineering, Transport, Operations Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Transport Manager CPC qualification (desirable).
• Lean Six Sigma qualification (desirable).

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

About Us

Salary - Competitive Salary
Work Type - Hybrid
Job Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We've got a lot to offer. You'll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.