Trucking Operations & Fleet Manager

Trucking Operations & Fleet Manager

Company: Gypsum Resources / Valleyline Trucking
Location: Blue Diamond / Las Vegas, Nevada — On-site
Employment: Full-time

About the Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Trucking Operations & Fleet Manager to lead our growing company-owned trucking operation.

Our operation transports gypsum from our mine in Blue Diamond, Nevada, to our company-owned yard in McFarland, California, with return freight toward Las Vegas. We currently own three sleeper trucks and are building the team, equipment fleet, and operating systems needed for profitable growth.

This person will manage daily trucking operations and bring proven experience finding, evaluating, negotiating, and purchasing trucks and trailers.

Key Responsibilities

Daily Operations and Driver Management

• Manage dispatch, driver schedules, equipment assignments, and delivery performance.
• Coordinate loading and unloading with the mine and McFarland yard.
• Work with the freight-sales manager to coordinate return loads, reduce empty miles, and improve round-trip profitability.
• Recruit, interview, onboard, coach, and retain qualified drivers.
• Establish clear communication and coverage for delays, breakdowns, and other operating issues.
• Develop practical operating procedures and support implementation of dispatch, GPS, maintenance, and reporting software.

Truck Sourcing and Fleet Expansion

• Source new and used tractors and trailers through dealers, fleet sales, auctions, and industry contacts.
• Evaluate equipment specifications, maintenance records, condition, warranties, and suitability for our routes.
• Arrange independent inspections and assess anticipated repair and maintenance costs before purchase.
• Compare purchase, financing, and leasing options based on total ownership costs.
• Negotiate equipment pricing and terms, and present purchase recommendations to ownership for approval.
• Plan fleet additions around freight demand, driver availability, maintenance capacity, and financial performance.

Safety and Maintenance

• Oversee driver qualification records, ELD use, hours-of-service monitoring, and applicable safety requirements.
• Ensure daily inspections are completed and reported defects receive timely attention.
• Coordinate preventive maintenance, repairs, roadside assistance, and equipment readiness.
• Monitor safety performance and address operating practices that increase risk.
• Maintain relationships with repair shops, service providers, and equipment vendors.

Financial Performance and Reporting

• Track fuel, driver pay, maintenance, equipment costs, and other operating expenses.
• Monitor cost per mile, revenue per truck, empty miles, utilization, downtime, and operating profit.
• Provide ownership with clear weekly performance reports and recommendations.
• Coordinate accurate load, expense, and payroll information with accounting.
• Recommend growth based on demonstrated operating results.

Required Qualifications

• Five or more years of trucking operations experience, including direct responsibility for company drivers and equipment.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and purchasing commercial trucks and trailers.
• Hands-on dispatch and regional transportation management experience.
• Working knowledge of commercial vehicle safety, driver qualification, ELDs, and hours-of-service requirements.
• Experience coordinating preventive maintenance and managing equipment downtime.
• Ability to analyze fleet costs and explain profitability by truck and route.
• Strong leadership, negotiation, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work on-site and travel to equipment inspections, vendors, and operating locations as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience growing a small or midsize company-owned fleet.
• Familiarity with Nevada and California freight operations.
• Experience with sleeper tractors, 53-foot dry vans, and regional return freight.
• Established relationships with truck dealers, fleet sellers, inspectors, and repair providers.
• Experience using trucking management software and coordinating with QuickBooks-based accounting.

What Success Looks Like

During the first 90 days, establish a reliable operating schedule, clear driver expectations, a preventive maintenance plan, and useful weekly financial reporting. Evaluate the existing fleet and present an equipment acquisition plan supported by freight demand and operating costs.

Ongoing success will be measured through safe operations, dependable deliveries, driver retention, equipment availability, controlled costs, and profitable growth.