Lead Mechanic

Swift Straw; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Swift Straw in Clio, AL is seeking The Lead Mechanic to oversee repairs and maintenance of the company’s fleet of semi-trailers at the Clio facility. This role partners with the Director of Assets and Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to keep trailers safe, roadworthy, and cost-efficient.

You will mentor the Trailer Mechanic, manage budgeting for the shop, and ensure compliance with FMCSA standards while coordinating repairs across company sites as needed.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of in-depth CMV brake repair experience, exceeding FMCSA qualifications.
• Minimum of 5 years of performing Periodic Annual Inspections on CMVs.
• Certification from a 12 Month Trade School in Commercial Vehicle Repair is a plus.
• Advanced welding skills.
• Minimum of 2 years leading and managing a team of mechanics.
• Proficiency with fleet software: Salesforce, Concur, Excel, Teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform repairs and Periodic Annual Inspections on company semi-trailers as required.
• Utilize Salesforce to confirm inspection dates and defects to proactively repair trailers.
• Direct and assist the Trailer Mechanic in maintenance and repair of company semi-trailers.
• Travel to other company sites to perform repairs and inspections as needed.
• Mentor and develop the Trailer Mechanic and foster a collaborative work environment.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Communication

Safety compliance

Problem solving

Budgeting

Education

12 Month Trade School certification in Commercial Vehicle Repair

Tools

Salesforce

Excel

Concur

Teams

Job description

TheLead Mechanic at the Clio, AL shopis responsible forfacilitatingand overseeingtherepair andmaintenanceof the company's fleet ofsemi-trailersat theCompany’sClio, AL facility. This role ensures the fleetiscapable of beingoperatedefficiently, safely, and cost-effectively, while adhering to all regulatory requirements. TheLead Mechanicis a criticalmemberof Swift Straw’soperations team,partnering with theDirector of Assets,Fleet Maintenance Coordinator,TrailerMechanic, andmembers ofthe AlabamaHarvestCoTeamintherepairing,maintainingand disposal ofthecompany’s most essential assets, ourfleet of semi-trailers.

Responsibilities:

Repair and Maintenance

• Perform repairsand Periodic Annual Inspectionson companysemi-trailers asrequired and as directed bythe Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and the Director of Assets.
• Utilize Salesforce as a resource to determine and confirm inspection expiration datesand previously noted defects to proactively and aggressively repairand inspecttrailers on the Clio yard.
• Directandactivelyassist theTrailer Mechanic in the maintenance and repairof Company semi-trailers.
• UtilizeSalesforceand collaborate with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator toensure the timelyrepair and inspectionofqualified empty trailers for the Alabama Production Manager for spotting purposesand the Logistics Team forproduct distribution.
• Identity and documentinSalesForcemechanical defects on fleet assets thatcannotbe immediately repaired.
• Identity, document, and notify theFleet Maintenance Coordinatorand Director of Assetsoftrailersthat are no longer roadworthy andthat are recommended to be decommissioned fromthe trailerfleet.
• Safelytransportsemi-trailersfrom the yard into the trailer shopand backutilizing a“YardHostler”truck, parking all trailers in an orderly fashion on the yard.
• Assist in the diagnosis and repair of the Harvest Team’ssemi-trucksand equipment on an “as needed" basis.
• Travel to other Company sites to perform repairs and inspectionson an “as needed" basis, in coordination with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator or the Director of Assets.

Budgeting and Cost Control

• Work within theboundariesofthe fleet budgetfor the Clio, AL shop, ensuring cost-effective operations and adherence to financial targetslaid out by theFleet Maintenance Coordinator and the Director of Assets.
• Collaborate with Fleet Maintenance Coordinatorinorderingparts and supplies forthe Clio, AL shopin accordance with Company R&M budget, confirming and correcting vendor invoices as needed.
• Ensure allfleet-related expenses are entered into the Company’s systems accurately and timely,immediatelycorrectingany entry issues or discrepancies.
• Concur:
• Expense entry for AMEX ,Out of Pocket and PO purchases
• Supervision of expense entries bythe TrailerMechanic, confirming accuracy and timeliness.
• Audit all orders and invoices to ensure proper pricing and delivery of goods and services.
• Maintainrelationships with suppliers and vendors for fleet-related services and products.

Safety and Compliance

• Submit and maintainperfect records of all maintenance and repair work performed on Company fleet assetsin the Company’sfleet managementsystemdaily.
• Entry and editing ofmaintenance records for all repairs and inspections performed by self and Trailer Mechanic
• Daily review ofallwork orders entered byself and Trailer Mechanic, confirming accuracy and timeliness.
• Email daily summaryof trailers inspected or repairedto Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and Director of Assets.
• Promote,enforceand adhere toa culture of safetywithin theshopoperations, includingTrailerMechanicsand Driversas detailed in safety meetings withtheFleet Maintenance CoordinatorandTrailerMechanic.
• Demonstrate a strong ability to respectfully collaborate and work effectively with variousdivisionslocatedwithin the Clio, ALlocation.A commitment to fostering positive interdepartmental relationships and a cooperative work environment is essential for success.
• Actively assist in helping other departmentsachievetheir goalsthrough mechanical repairs,collaborationand site organization.
• Mentorand developthe Trailer Mechanic,fosteringa collaborative and high-performance work environment,ensuringtheyandyouare successful in meeting the Company’s goals for the fleet.
• Be amechanicalexpert; a thought leader whoimplementsbestpracticesdemonstrated by the Fleet Maintenance Coordinatortobring the most current ideasand improvementsto theClio, AL shop.

Qualificationsand Characteristics

• Minimumof 5 years ofin-depthexperience repairing brakesand brake systems on CMV’s, well exceeding theminimum qualificationspermitted to be a Brake Inspector, as defined by the FMCSA (attached).
• Minimum of 5 years of in-depth experience performingPeriodicAnnualInspectionson CMV’s, well exceeding the minimum qualifications permitted to be aQualifiedInspector, as defined by the FMCSA (attached).
• Graduation or Certification from a 12 Month Trade School or State Program in Commercial Vehicle Repair or similar fieldis a plus.
• Advanced welding skills
• Minimum of 2 yearsleading and managinga team ofmechanics.
• In-depth knowledge ofrepair and maintenancepracticeson dry van semi-trailersandregulatory requirements.
• Proficiency in using fleetand budgetarymanagement software.(Salesforce, Concur, Excel, Teams)
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Proven ability to leadand work inside a team.
• A hands-on approach to problem solving
• Valid driver's license andreliable transportation to and from work.(Current or former CDL is a plus)
• Ability to lift 70lbs.

Position Impact

• This positionsupports arguably the most valuable assetsin the Company. Without trailers, no part of Swift Straw’s value chain canthrive.
• This position is at the center ofClio, AL repairoperations,having a wide breadth of influence and collaboration.
• This position is an expert,a leader, and a strong backbonethat many different people will rely on.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.