Maintenance Manager

Zūm is a rapidly expanding Series E startup backed by industry leaders Sequoia Capital, SoftBank, Spark Capital, and GIC, with a bold mission to transform the stagnant school transportation industry. Operating in over 15 states across the United States—with flagship hubs in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle—we are actively extending our reach to the East Coast and Midwest regions. As a technology-driven company, we deploy cutting-edge solutions to manage and operate school district transportation systems while also launching our own charter platform and developing proprietary SaaS offerings. Additionally, we are spearheading a nationwide initiative to electrify school transportation fleets, simultaneously supporting local utilities by feeding much-needed energy back into the grid. We have been recognized as CNBC 50 disruptor, Financial Times 500 fastest growing companies, Fast Company World Changing Ideas.

We're seeking an experienced Shop Manager to lead maintenance operations at our [location] location. This role encompasses the complete maintenance lifecycle—from fleet intake and facility setup to daily shop management and continuous improvement. You'll build high-performing technician teams, manage maintenance budgets and KPIs, and establish best-in-class fleet operations that ensure maximum vehicle availability and safety compliance. You'll be the backbone of our transportation operations, ensuring every vehicle is safe, reliable, and ready to serve students and communities.

You're a hands-on leader who thrives in the controlled chaos of a busy maintenance facility where priorities shift by the hour. You balance operational urgency with meticulous safety and compliance standards, never cutting corners on what matters most. You're a natural problem-solver who can diagnose both mechanical issues and operational inefficiencies with equal skill. You see potential in technicians and invest in their development, building teams that take pride in their work and own their outcomes. You're equally comfortable reviewing work orders and budget reports, troubleshooting a complex electrical issue with your team, or explaining fleet readiness metrics to district administrators. You take pride in running a tight ship—where tools are accounted for, documentation is impeccable, and buses roll out on time.

Operational Leadership & Fleet Readiness 

● Execute complete shop start-ups for newly awarded contracts, including facility setup, tool and equipment procurement, parts inventory establishment, and fleet intake processes

● Develop and maintain preventive maintenance programs that meet or exceed state, federal, DOT, and district requirements

● Ensure maximum daily vehicle availability through strategic maintenance scheduling, efficient repair workflows, and proactive fleet health monitoring

● Manage shop operations to ensure consistency and excellence across all maintenance activities ● Partner with Location Manager to coordinate fleet readiness and support operational scheduling needs

●Utilize Zum's fleet management systems to monitor, analyze, and exceed maintenance KPIs including PMI compliance, mean distance between failures, out-of-service time, and first-time fix rates

● Lead a safety-first maintenance culture that protects technicians, drivers, students, and the broader community

● Ensure complete compliance with FMCSA, DOT, CHP Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, ADA requirements, and all applicable federal and state regulations

● Maintain meticulous maintenance records, inspection documentation, and regulatory files ready for audit at all times

● Maintain maintenance budget accountability in alignment with company financial guidelines

● Collaborate with Human Resources and Recruiting teams to strategize and execute hiring plans for technician positions that support operational needs

● Develop and coach maintenance technicians through mentoring, skills training, and career growth opportunities

● Oversee daily shop operations including work order management, parts inventory control, vendor relationships, and warranty claim processing

● Establish and adjust maintenance priorities based on operational demands, parts availability, and fleet requirements

● Maintain organized, safe, clean, and efficient shop facilities with proper tool control and hazardous materials management

Basic Qualifications: 

● 5+ years of experience managing shop operations in a commercial repair environment such as fleet maintenance, diesel repair, heavy equipment service, trucking maintenance facilities, or similar settings where managing multiple concurrent repairs and minimizing vehicle downtime are essential

●3+ years of experience directly supervising and managing a team of 3 or more technicians in a commercial fleet maintenance environment

● Fleet management and software proficiency - Experience utilizing fleet management software systems (such as Fleetio, Geotab, Samsara, Fleet Complete, Google Workspace/Microsoft Office Suite or similar platforms) to track vehicle maintenance schedules, manage work orders and parts inventory, generate reports, and handle daily communication and operational documentation

● Regulatory compliance experience – Demonstrated experience managing compliance with FMCSA and DOT requirements, including maintaining inspection records, driver qualification files, and maintenance documentation. Ability to speak to a time when you prepared for or underwent a State or Federal audit and ensured regulatory compliance across shop operations and fleet maintenance records

Preferred Qualifications: 

● Experience managing in a unionized (CBA) environment

● Demonstrated experience successfully managing through periods of rapid organizational growth or major management/structural changes

● Valid CDL license with ability to operate commercial fleet vehicles

● ASE certifications or manufacturer/dealer technical training credentials

● Knowledge of Federal DOT regulations and State/Local commercial vehicle compliance requirements

● Additional industry certifications (EPA 609, OSHA safety training, or specialized equipment certifications)

The targeted base salary range for this role is listed in the compensation section below. Actual salary may be above or below this range based on factors such as location, skills, and relevant experience. In addition, this position may include additional compensation in the form of bonus, equity, or commissions. If you are a full-time salaried or hourly worker, we offer the following benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, 401(k), Holidays, Wellness, Vacation, and more. The targeted pay range for this role in US: $100k - $110k