Director of Fleet & Equipment - Corporate
About the role
Sargent Electric is a leading specialty contractor focused on electrical, instrumentation, wireless, utility, and low voltage systems. Founded in Pittsburgh in 1907, we operate from 8 locations across the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, delivering projects nationwide for our strategic customers. We support the breadth of client needs — from routine 24/7 service and emergency restoration to their largest and most complex projects. Our proven safety record, technical depth, and longstanding client relationships have made us a partner of choice for Fortune 500 companies, leading general contractors, and EPC contractors.
We are seeking a Corporate Director of Fleet & Equipment. This is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic direction, lifecycle management, operational performance, and financial optimization of the company’s $20M+ 750 string fleet of vehicles, tools, and heavy equipment. This fleet supports complex project operations across Utility Transmission & Distribution, Renewable Energy, and Commercial & Industrial (C&I) electrical construction.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Leadership & Planning
- Develop and execute long‑term fleet strategy supporting Utility, Renewables, and C&I business lines
- Create annual and multi‑year fleet capital plans—balancing operational needs, financing strategy, and ROI
- Standardize fleet specifications to optimize reliability, safety, and performance
- Fleet Lifecycle Management
- Oversee the full lifecycle of 750+ fleet assets including vehicles, aerial lifts, digger derricks, trenchers, generators, cable pullers, tooling, and heavy equipment
- Lead procurement, leasing, remarketing, and disposal to maximize asset value
- Implement fleet replacement policies and lifecycle schedules
- Financial & Performance Management
- Manage annual fleet CAPEX and OPEX budgets
- Track and optimize fleet utilization, cost recovery, TCO, and charge‑out rates
- Negotiate national agreements with vendors, OEMs, and rental partners
- Use analytics to drive financial efficiency and improve operational predictability
- Operations, Technology & Digital Optimization
- Lead adoption of fleet technology including telematics, GPS, IoT sensors, remote diagnostics, and automated scheduling and implement AI‑driven forecasting models to optimize replacement planning, utilization, and fleet mix
- Deploy predictive maintenance platforms using machine learning and real‑time asset data
- Leverage AI for spend analytics, vendor negotiations, and cost‑saving insights
- Integrate fleet systems with ERP, safety platforms, and financial systems
- Deploy digital inspection tools, mobile apps, and automated reporting workflows
- Compliance, Safety & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with DOT, OSHA, EPA, and state regulations
- Develop policies and training to improve operator competency and reduce equipment‑related incidents
- Maintain documentation for inspections, audits, and insurance
- Collaboration & Cross‑Functional Leadership
- Partner with Operations, Project Management, Safety, Finance, and Supply Chain.
- Proven leadership of distributed teams
- Forecast fleet requirements for specialty Utility and Renewable Energy projects
- Provide executive dashboards and decision‑support analytics
Requirements
- 10+ years fleet, equipment, or operations leadership experience
- Experience managing large‑scale fleets ($10M+)
- Strong financial and analytical capabilities including TCO modeling
- Comprehensive knowledge of DOT, OSHA, EPA compliance
- Experience in electrical contracting, T&D, Renewables, or heavy civil is required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, business, or related field, preferred
- Familiarity with fleet management software, telematics, AI systems, is preferred