Fleet Maintenance Operations Management Trainee - Lakeland, FL

WM; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

Life Insurance

Short-Term Disability

Stock Purchase Plan

401K Company match

Paid Vacation

Holidays

Personal Days

Paid Holidays

Personal Days

Job summary

A leading waste management company in Lakeland, FL is seeking a Fleet Maintenance Operations Management Trainee. This 12-month program aims to develop candidates into fleet maintenance managers, including hands-on training and travel. Responsibilities include managing fleet operations and maintaining high safety standards. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and relevant experience. A competitive benefits package is offered including insurance and paid vacation.

Qualifications

• Three years of relevant fleet maintenance work experience.
• Four years of supervisory/leadership experience in fleet maintenance operations.

Responsibilities

• Complete the FOMT curriculum and required training items.
• Develop skills to become a Fleet Manager.
• Work with Corporate and local safety teams to enhance the safety culture.
• Develop working knowledge of WM’s Fleet and general business applications.
• Learn to manage site personnel through experiential training.
• Understand financial, accounting, and forecasting processes and systems.
• Support WM Safety Program and safety culture.

Skills

Microsoft Office proficiency

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Time management skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (accredited)

Three years fleet maintenance work experience

Tools

Fleet maintenance software

Job description

Fleet Maintenance Operations Management Trainee - Lakeland, FL

Join to apply for the Fleet Maintenance Operations Management Trainee - Lakeland, FL role at WM

START DATE FOR THIS POSITION WILL BE JANUARY 2026.
Travel is required during the training program.

For United States: WM is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
For Canada: WM is committed to the principle of equal employment for all applicants and employees, without discrimination on the basis of all grounds protected by applicable human rights legislation. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. Please notify us if you require accommodation
Waste Management (WM), a Fortune 250 company, is the leading provider of comprehensive waste and environmental services in North America. We are strongly committed to a foundation of operating excellence, professionalism and financial strength. WM serves nearly 25 million customers in residential, commercial, industrial and municipal markets throughout North America through a network of collection operations, transfer stations, landfills, recycling facilities and waste-based energy production projects.

Job Summary

WM (formerly Waste Management) Fleet Maintenance Operational Management Trainee (FOMT) program is a 12 month long course designed to develop individuals into fleet maintenance manager roles. Fleet Maintenance Managers manage the full fleet of primary and secondary equipment and continually focuses on achieving market base profitability through effective management of all fleet and maintenance activities within the assigned area, including cost control, management development, and high training and safety standards. Candidates that successfully complete this program must be willing to relocate within an assigned geographic area to lead a WM Fleet Shop. During this program candidates will be required to travel as most of the curriculum will be on the job training (OJT) in the field with some classroom training. Successful candidates will develop incomparable knowledge of the Fleet Manager role.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Successfully complete the FOMT curriculum and complete all required training items through participation in the WM Learning Management System.
• Responsible for developing the skills to become a Fleet Manager.
• Completes assigned computer-based training.
• Attends and participates in all mandatory group training sessions.
• Develops a working knowledge of WMs Fleet and general business applications.
• Develop a working knowledge of heavy equipment functionality and maintenance care including actual operation and in-shop maintenance.
• Learn how to effectively manage site personnel through experiential efforts and training.
• Develops understanding of financial, accounting, and forecasting processes and systems.
• Develops a strong understanding and dedication to the WM Safety Program; work with Corporate and local safety teams to continue to create an increasingly aware and observant safety conscious culture.
• Completes required paperwork utilizing fleet maintenance software program associated with repairing vehicles, documenting parts usage, and accounting for repair times.
• Participates in worksite meetings, huddles, and area mentor programs.
• Performs other duties as assigned that may include special projects and interim management assignments. Learning will be very action and experiential based.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job may have periodic leadership / management responsibilities throughout the program.

Qualifications

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree (accredited) and three years of relevant fleet maintenance work experience. Supervisory/leadership experience: Four years in fleet maintenance operations.
• Preferred Certificates, Licenses or Registrations: Valid Driver’s License.
• Other Knowledge, Skills or Abilities Required:
  • Must be willing to relocate within an assigned geographic area at the conclusion of the training program.
  • Must be proficient in Microsoft Office.
  • Must be willing to work various hours and weekends as necessary.
  • Must be willing to work outdoors and/or in a maintenance shop.
  • Must have excellent verbal and written communications skills.
  • Must have exceptional time management and organizational skills.
  • Proven problem‑solving ability and successful conflict resolution.
  • Diesel or CNG Mechanical experience or Technical Drive.
  • Strong analytical skills.

Essential Functions, Environment and Physical Requirements

While some of the FOMT work is performed within an office atmosphere, field work and frequent field assignments are the core foundation of the FOMT and operations positions. These field assignments will include exposure to the elements, weather, and other non‑office type conditions. When conducting field work and assignments one should possess the ability to ascend onto and descend from various pieces of heavy equipment and ride accordingly for many consecutive hours. The FOMT will be exposed to climatic weather as depicted by the geographical region for which you reside or are assigned. A FOMT will also periodically be required to work non‑traditional work schedules i.e. 12 hour workdays, some weekends, some early start times etc.

Benefits

At Waste Management, each eligible employee receives a competitive total compensation package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance and Short‑Term Disability. As well as a Stock Purchase Plan, Company match on 401K, and more! Our employees also receive Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Personal Days. Please note that benefits may vary by site.

Application

PLEASE SUBMIT A CURRENT RESUME TO RECIEVE FURTHER CONSIDERATION FOR THIS POSITION. If this sounds like the opportunity that you have been looking for, please click “Apply.”