Women in logistics? Isn’t fleet management a man’s thing? This thought is increasingly being left behind. The reality is that women are making their presence felt in the sector and taking control.
Although the frequency is still not ideal, the advances made by professionals are notable. The 229% increase in the hiring of women in logistics in a single year, as pointed out in a Gupy survey, demonstrates that there is plenty of space and competence.
Therefore, we have reserved this space today to highlight the role of women in fleet management, the importance of their responsibilities and the main challenges faced, in the hope of promoting greater gender equality in the logistics sector.
What does a fleet manager do?
What are the main challenges of a fleet manager?
Initiatives for gender equity in fleet management
What does a fleet manager do?
Generally speaking, a company hires a fleet manager to optimize the use of financial resources, manage drivers, operations and other important aspects. In practice, the focus is on identifying drivers' needs and adopting a proactive approach, capable of promoting satisfaction and productivity.
Strategic planning
As a fleet manager, it is essential to have a strategic planning results well defined to guarantee the efficiency and profitability of the company's fleet. This involves defining the ideal fleet, taking into account factors such as available budget, company type of business and driver profile.
It is also crucial to constantly analyze usage, cost and market data to make smart decisions. Implementing vehicle use policies that optimize the fleet and reduce costs is also part of the responsibilities of a fleet manager.
Suggested reading: Fleet control: how to monitor the use of a company vehicle outside working hours?
Vehicle management
Among the essential responsibilities to ensure the proper functioning and efficiency of vehicles, the following stand out: preventive and corrective maintenance, which ensures that they are all in perfect working order.
Furthermore, it is the role of the fleet manager to control costs related to vehicles, such as fuel, tolls, insurance and other services. To optimize these expenses, it is necessary to negotiate with suppliers in search of better prices and conditions.
Fleet management finance
Managing a fleet's finances goes far beyond simply controlling the entry and exit of company resources. In certain situations, the need to expand the fleet or increase the volume of operations may arise, which requires investment.
Whether in fleets or in other circumstances, the manager must always be aware of cash flow. Even if the operation is profitable, it is essential to keep a constant eye on the fleet management budget, not only expenses but also be careful with invisible costs.
Suggested reading: TCO: how to understand and control costs in fleet management
Driver monitoring
An efficient and productive operation depends on well-managed and trained drivers. Therefore, the fleet manager needs to communicate effectively and transmit her knowledge to those involved, whether drivers or administrative team professionals.
Guidance on best practices and tools is essential. With regard to drivers, for example, it is important to instruct them on how to drive the vehicle in order to save fuel, reduce wear on parts and ensure the safety of the fleet.
Suggested reading: Defensive driving and fleet management: tips to preserve lives today
Leadership team
Knowing how to manage operations and projects is important, but managing people is fundamental. The fleet manager is also the leader responsible for commanding a diverse team, from the logistics team to the drivers who travel the roads.
After all, a professional who holds this position must inspire teams and ensure that each employee follows the protocols established by the company. Invest in team training and offering courses to employees is one of the most valuable strategies to achieve this goal.
Furthermore, a successful manager needs to be attentive to the needs of her subordinates and welcome suggestions from those on the front line, in an effort to always improve work routines.
Technologies for fleet management
Another essential role is to always be aware of new technologies and innovations that can optimize your company's fleet management. The adoption of solutions such as telemetry and video telemetry can bring a series of benefits, from reducing operating costs to improving vehicle safety.
Therefore, constantly searching for innovative solutions in this market that can improve the efficiency and performance of the operation is a way of ensuring that the company is always one step ahead.
Route control
One of the secrets to effective fleet management is meticulous route planning. Itinerary goes far beyond simply entering an address into an app and continuing your journey.
When planning routes, it is essential to consider a series of variables, such as the number of stops along the route, traffic conditions, possible closures for heavy vehicles on certain sections, in addition to the most appropriate time for service depending on the customer's availability. .
Suggested reading: Successful women in the automotive sector: the importance of female presence
Driver safety
Aware of the challenges faced on roads and highways, it is also imperative that managers adopt proactive measures to foster a culture of safe driving among their drivers.
This starts with the careful selection of the fleet, taking into account not only the available budget and the company's type of business, but also the profile of the drivers.
Suggested reading: Performance evaluation of drivers and productivity indicators in fleet management
Another strategy could be the implementation of advanced safety technologies in fleet vehicles, as well as the adoption of internal policies that encourage safe behavior, such as prohibiting the use of cell phones while driving and promoting regular rest breaks.
What are the main challenges of a fleet manager?
Although women in logistics stand out when it comes to fleet management, it is important to recognize the barriers that exist for those seeking to achieve success in this sector.
According to a report on transportation trends, 78,82% of fleet management professionals are men and 20,69% are women. In other words, representation is still timid, but it exists. Here are some of the main obstacles that may explain this.
Lack of representation in leadership positions
The low presence of women in leadership positions limits access to mentoring and role models. For the same reason, the lack of representation in these positions continues to be a current challenge, even with the increase in the number of women in logistics.
Unfortunately, the disparity in growth opportunities between men and women in companies is still a reality, which directly impacts the progression of this career.
Gender prejudices and stereotypes
As fleet management is still often associated with a male-dominated environment, there is a false belief that women do not have the same capabilities as men in fleet management, which results in discrimination and limited opportunities.
Lack of support and guidance in fleet management
Women who work in fleet management may also face a lack of support and guidance from other professionals and even male leaders. As a result, this lack of support can make it difficult to progress your skills and career, leading them to feel isolated in the work environment.
Difficulty reconciling fleet management and family
Facing the challenges of reconciling work and family, especially for women who have children or care for family members, fleet management can require long working hours and availability outside of conventional working hours.
To overcome these barriers, it is crucial that companies adopt diversity and inclusion policies, ensuring a fair and equitable work environment for everyone, regardless of gender. Furthermore, it is essential to offer support and mentoring to women who work in fleet management, enabling the development of their skills and professional growth.
Initiatives for gender equity in fleet management
Some companies have dedicated themselves to promoting a more balanced work environment, seeking to achieve greater gender diversity. This movement is driven by both commercial and competitive interests and social issues.
Challenges such as lack of space for innovation, communication problems and process management are still highlighted as obstacles faced by women in logistics.
Therefore, we have selected some initiatives that can generate positive results and allow women to become an increasingly significant part of the workforce in fleet management:
- Training and development programs: to empower women with specific skills and knowledge in the area.
- Mentoring and networking: focused on connecting women with experienced professionals to offer guidance and support.
- Combating moral and sexual harassment: A safe and respectful work environment is essential for women to feel comfortable and thrive.
- Support networks: with the aim of connecting women in the area, offering opportunities to share their experiences.
- Recruitment Policies: through the implementation of measures that encourage the hiring and retention of female talent.
- Promoting equal pay: ensuring that women in logistics and men receive the same pay for work of equal value is essential.
By adopting these practices and investing in the development and empowerment of women in fleet management, companies will not only be promoting fairness and equality, but they will also be strengthening their team and driving innovation and business success.
Together, these actions contribute to building a more inclusive, diverse and balanced work environment, where everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Golfleet is a company that prioritizes the creation of a welcoming environment, based on the simplicity of relationships and mutual respect, always with the aim of offering efficient solutions for fleet management.
If you identify with our mission and are looking for cutting-edge technology, count on us to optimize your operation and bring even more quality and practicality to your daily life.
