Fleet Controller / Fleet Maintenance Coordinator

Pronel Personnel; Pietermaritzburg; On-site; ZAR 260,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Pronel Personnel is seeking a hands-on Fleet Controller / Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to oversee maintenance, servicing and readiness of a diverse fleet. The role blends fleet admin with practical mechanical work to minimise downtime and control costs.

You will coordinate servicing, COFs, licensing, supplier relations and driver support while tracking vehicles and generating operational reports. A proactive, organised candidate is essential.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in fleet control, fleet maintenance, transport operations or a similar role.
• Practical mechanical knowledge and hands-on experience working on trucks, trailers and/or light motor vehicles.
• Strong understanding of vehicle servicing, maintenance scheduling, breakdown management and roadworthiness requirements.
• Good administrative skills, including maintaining spreadsheets, mileage records and fleet reports.
• Computer literacy and the ability to communicate effectively via email, telephone and WhatsApp.
• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise urgent breakdowns and maintenance requirements.
• Good supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.
• Ability to work independently and take ownership of fleet-related issues.
• Flexibility to assist with breakdown coordination outside normal working hours when required.

Responsibilities

• Fleet Servicing and Maintenance: Plan and schedule routine services, repairs, roadworthy inspections and COFs. Maintain mileage records and spreadsheets, book services with suppliers and ensure vehicles are available when required.
• Breakdown Coordination: Manage on-road breakdowns during and after working hours, liaise with drivers, operations teams, mechanics and service providers.
• Supplier Management: Build and maintain relationships with fleet suppliers, source new suppliers and ensure competitive pricing.
• Licensing and Compliance: Monitor vehicle licence renewals, coordinate roadworthy inspections and ensure valid licence discs are fitted.
• Vehicle Tracking: Work with the operations team to ensure vehicles are monitored on tracking systems.
• Driver Recruitment Support: Interview prospective drivers, coordinate assessments and liaise with HR regarding checks.
• Fleet Reporting: Compile regular reports including downtime, mileage, fuel consumption and maintenance data.
• Hands-on Mechanical Support: Carry out basic repairs on trucks, trailers and light vehicles; major repairs referred to workshops.

Skills

Fleet control

Maintenance scheduling

Breakdown management

Supplier management

Licensing & compliance

Vehicle tracking

Driver recruitment support

Fleet reporting

Hands-on mechanical skills

Tools

Spreadsheets

Email

WhatsApp

Job description

Our client is seeking a hands-on, organised and solutions-driven Fleet Controller / Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to oversee the maintenance, servicing and operational readiness of a fleet of trucks, light motor vehicles, trailers, plant and equipment.

This role combines fleet administration and coordination with practical mechanical skills. The successful candidate will play a key role in minimising vehicle downtime, controlling maintenance costs and ensuring that the fleet remains safe, roadworthy and compliant.

Key Responsibilities

• Fleet Servicing and Maintenance: Plan and schedule routine services, repairs, roadworthy inspections and Certificates of Fitness (COFs). Maintain accurate mileage records and spreadsheets, book services with suppliers and ensure vehicles are available when required.

• Breakdown Coordination: Manage on-road breakdowns during and after working hours, including tyre punctures, accidents, mechanical failures and towing requirements. Liaise with drivers, operations teams, mechanics and service providers to ensure breakdowns are attended to promptly and efficiently.

• Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing fleet suppliers, source new suppliers when required and ensure competitive pricing and acceptable service levels.

• Licensing and Compliance: Monitor vehicle licence renewals, coordinate roadworthy inspections and ensure valid licence discs are obtained and fitted timeously.

• Vehicle Tracking: Work with the operations team to ensure all vehicles are correctly monitored on the relevant tracking systems.

• Driver Recruitment Support: Interview prospective drivers, coordinate driving assessments and liaise with HR regarding criminal checks and related screening processes.

• Fleet Reporting: Compile regular reports as required, including vehicle downtime, mileage, fuel consumption and maintenance-related information.

• Hands-on Mechanical Support: Carry out basic repairs and maintenance on trucks, trailers and light motor vehicles where possible, helping to reduce downtime and control maintenance costs. Major repairs will be referred to an appropriate workshop where necessary.

Minimum Requirements

• Previous experience in fleet control, fleet maintenance, transport operations or a similar role.

• Practical mechanical knowledge and hands-on experience working on trucks, trailers and/or light motor vehicles.

• Strong understanding of vehicle servicing, maintenance scheduling, breakdown management and roadworthiness requirements.

• Good administrative skills, including maintaining spreadsheets, mileage records and fleet reports.

• Computer literacy and the ability to communicate effectively via email, telephone and WhatsApp.

• Strong organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritise urgent breakdowns and maintenance requirements.

• Good supplier relationship management and negotiation skills.

• Ability to work independently and take ownership of fleet-related issues.

• Flexibility to assist with breakdown coordination outside normal working hours when required.

The successful candidate will be practical, proactive and mechanically minded, with a strong sense of urgency and the ability to balance administrative responsibilities with hands-on problem-solving. A cost-conscious approach and the ability to minimise vehicle downtime will be essential.