Position Overview
The Lead Mechanic at the Clio, AL shop is responsible for facilitating and overseeing the repair and maintenance of the company's fleet of semi-trailers at the Company’s Clio, AL facility. This role ensures the fleet is capable of being operated efficiently, safely, and cost-effectively, while adhering to all regulatory requirements. The Lead Mechanic is a critical member of Swift Straw’s operations team, partnering with the Director of Assets, Fleet Maintenance Coordinator, Trailer Mechanic, and members of the Alabama HarvestCo Team in the repairing, maintaining and disposal of the company’s most essential assets, our fleet of semi-trailers.
Responsibilities:
Repair and Maintenance
- Perform repairs and Periodic Annual Inspections on company semi-trailers as required and as directed by the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and the Director of Assets.
- Utilize Salesforce as a resource to determine and confirm inspection expiration dates and previously noted defects to proactively and aggressively repair and inspect trailers on the Clio yard.
- Direct and actively assist the Trailer Mechanic in the maintenance and repair of Company semi-trailers.
- Utilize Salesforce and collaborate with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to ensure the timely repair and inspection of qualified empty trailers for the Alabama Production Manager for spotting purposes and the Logistics Team for product distribution.
- Identity and document in SalesForce mechanical defects on fleet assets that cannot be immediately repaired.
- Identity, document, and notify the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and Director of Assets of trailers that are no longer roadworthy and that are recommended to be decommissioned from the trailer fleet.
- Safely transport semi-trailers from the yard into the trailer shop and back utilizing a “Yard Hostler” truck, parking all trailers in an orderly fashion on the yard.
- Assist in the diagnosis and repair of the Harvest Team’s semi-trucks and equipment on an “as needed" basis.
- Travel to other Company sites to perform repairs and inspections on an “as needed" basis, in coordination with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator or the Director of Assets.
Budgeting and Cost Control
- Work within the boundaries of the fleet budget for the Clio, AL shop, ensuring cost-effective operations and adherence to financial targets laid out by the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and the Director of Assets.
- Collaborate with Fleet Maintenance Coordinator in ordering parts and supplies for the Clio, AL shop in accordance with Company R&M budget, confirming and correcting vendor invoices as needed.
- Ensure all fleet-related expenses are entered into the Company’s systems accurately and timely, immediately correcting any entry issues or discrepancies.
- Entering PO requests for vendor purchases
- Expense entry for AMEX, Out of Pocket and PO purchases
- Supervision of expense entries by the Trailer Mechanic, confirming accuracy and timeliness.
- Audit all orders and invoices to ensure proper pricing and delivery of goods and services.
- Maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors for fleet-related services and products.
Safety and Compliance
- Submit and maintain perfect records of all maintenance and repair work performed on Company fleet assets in the Company’s fleet management system daily.
- Entry and editing of maintenance records for all repairs and inspections performed by self and Trailer Mechanic
- Daily review of all work orders entered by self and Trailer Mechanic, confirming accuracy and timeliness.
- Email daily summary of trailers inspected or repaired to Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and Director of Assets.
- Promote, enforce and adhere to a culture of safety within the shop operations, including Trailer Mechanics and Drivers as detailed in safety meetings with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and Trailer Mechanic.
Team Leadership
- Demonstrate a strong ability to respectfully collaborate and work effectively with various divisions located within the Clio, AL location. A commitment to fostering positive interdepartmental relationships and a cooperative work environment is essential for success.
- Actively assist in helping other departments achieve their goals through mechanical repairs, collaboration and site organization.
- Mentor and develop the Trailer Mechanic, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment, ensuring they and you are successful in meeting the Company’s goals for the fleet.
- Be a mechanical expert; a thought leader who implements best practices demonstrated by the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to bring the most current ideas and improvements to the Clio, AL shop.
Qualifications and Characteristics
- Minimum of 5 years of in-depth experience repairing brakes and brake systems on CMV’s, well exceeding the minimum qualifications permitted to be a Brake Inspector, as defined by the FMCSA (attached).
- Minimum of 5 years of in-depth experience performing Periodic Annual Inspections on CMV’s, well exceeding the minimum qualifications permitted to be a Qualified Inspector, as defined by the FMCSA (attached).
- Graduation or Certification from a 12 Month Trade School or State Program in Commercial Vehicle Repair or similar field is a plus.
- Minimum of 2 years leading and managing a team of mechanics.
- In-depth knowledge of repair and maintenance practices on dry van semi-trailers and regulatory requirements.
- Proficiency in using fleet and budgetary management software. (Salesforce, Concur, Excel, Teams)
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Proven ability to lead and work inside a team.
- A hands-on approach to problem solving
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation to and from work. (Current or former CDL is a plus)
Position Impact
- This position supports arguably the most valuable assets in the Company. Without trailers, no part of Swift Straw’s value chain can thrive.
- This position is at the center of Clio, AL repair operations, having a wide breadth of influence and collaboration.
- This position is an expert, a leader, and a strong backbone that 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 (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
