Lead Mechanic

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, Clio Yard Manager, Fleet Maintenance Coordinator, and Trailer Mechanic in the repairing and maintaining 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 directed by the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and the Director of Assets.
  • Direct and assist the Trailer Mechanic in the maintenance and repair of Company semi-trailers.
• Collaborate with the Clio Yard Manager and the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator to ensure the timely repair and inspection qualified empty trailers for the Alabama Production Manager for spotting purposes.
• 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.
• Identity and document mechanical defects on fleet assets that are not able to be immediately repaired.
• Identity, document, and notify the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator of fleet assets that are no longer roadworthy and are to be removed from rotation.
• Safely transport semi-trailers from the yard into the trailer shop and back utilizing a “Yard Hostler” truck.

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 the ordering of 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.
  • Concur:
    • Entering PO requests for vendor purchases
    • Expense entry for EFS, AMEX, 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.
  • Salesforce:
    • 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.
• Promote, enforce and adhere to a culture of safety within the shop operations, including Trailer Mechanics and Drivers as detailed in weekly safety meetings with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator and Trailer Mechanic.
• Attend and actively participate in quarterly educational and interactive meetings with the Fleet Maintenance Coordinator, Director of Assets and all Company mechanics to ensure compliance with all federally regulated guidelines related to the repair and maintenance of Company semi-trailers as detailed in the FMCSA 49 CFR 393 guidelines (and the future Truck Cor II Maintenance and Repair Policy)
  

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.
• Intermediate to advanced welding skills
• 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.
• 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)
• Ability to lift 70lbs.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

The requirements listed above represent, but are not completely inclusive of the required knowledge, skill, and/or ability. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Swift Straw is an Equal Opportunity Employer.