Garage Manager at Tarter Gate Company, LLC – Dunnville, Kentucky

The Garage Manager oversees the maintenance, repair, and safe operation of Tarter’s logistics fleet, equipment, and support vehicles. This role ensures all tractors, trailers, forklifts, yard trucks, and shop equipment are in optimal working condition to support continuous production and efficient product movement. The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader with strong mechanical knowledge, excellent organizational and planning skills, and proven experience managing maintenance operations within a manufacturing or logistics environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of the garage/maintenance shop, ensuring timely repair, inspection, and preventive maintenance of logistics fleet vehicles, tractors, trailers, forklifts, and material-handling equipment.
• Develop, implement, and manage a preventive maintenance program to minimize downtime, extend equipment life, and ensure compliance with safety and DOT regulations.
• Assign, schedule, and supervise work performed by mechanics, technicians, and external service providers; ensure repairs are completed accurately, safely, and within established timelines.
• Maintain accurate maintenance records for all fleet assets, including work orders, service logs, parts usage, and inspection reports within the maintenance management system.
• Diagnose mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic issues on heavy equipment and coordinate necessary repairs (in-house or outsourced).
• Monitor parts inventory, order necessary supplies, manage vendor relationships, and ensure cost-effective sourcing of parts, tools, and repair services.
• Conduct regular inspections of vehicles, trailers, and equipment to identify wear, safety risks, or potential failures; escalate critical issues to the Director of Logistics.
• Ensure compliance with company, OSHA, and DOT safety regulations; train team members on safe work practices, lockout/tagout procedures, and equipment handling.
• Collaborate with logistics and warehouse leadership to prioritize repairs based on operational needs and minimize disruptions to production or shipping schedules.
• Analyze maintenance data and report on equipment performance trends, downtime, cost of repairs, and recommendations for replacements or upgrades.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to improve maintenance processes, reduce costs, and enhance equipment availability.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe maintenance shop environment; enforce housekeeping and tool-control standards.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; technical certifications in diesel mechanics, automotive/heavy equipment repair, or related fields preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience managing a maintenance shop or fleet operations in a logistics, manufacturing, or industrial environment; supervisory experience required.
• Strong mechanical aptitude with expertise in diagnosing and repairing heavy equipment, forklifts, diesel engines, hydraulic systems, and electrical components.
• Working knowledge of DOT regulations, OSHA standards, and preventive maintenance best practices.
• Experience using maintenance management systems (MMS), fleet software, or aptitude to learn internal systems.
• Strong planning, scheduling, and organizational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced operational environment.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with mechanics, drivers, logistics personnel, and external vendors.
• Ability to lift/move heavy parts and equipment, work in varying temperatures, and perform physical tasks typical of a maintenance shop environment.
• Valid driver’s license required; CDL is a plus.

Core Competencies

• Mechanical expertise & troubleshooting
• Leadership & team supervision
• Planning & preventive maintenance
• Safety awareness & regulatory compliance
• Communication & teamwork
• Problem-solving & decision-making
• Accountability & dependability

Work Environment

• Based at Tarter’s manufacturing/logistics site in Dunnville, Kentucky in a maintenance garage/shop environment.
• Exposure to heavy equipment, tools, noise, grease, and variable temperatures typical of industrial maintenance settings.
• Regular weekday schedule; overtime or weekend response may be required for urgent repairs or operational needs.

Why You’ll Enjoy Working at Tarter

• Work for a long-standing family-owned company known for high-quality, American-made manufactured equipment.
• Directly contributes to operational success by ensuring the fleet and equipment powering the logistics operation remain safe, reliable, and efficient.
• Opportunities for growth and skill development as Tarter continues investing in fleet modernization, maintenance systems, and logistics infrastructure.
• Supportive, collaborative culture where safety, continuous improvement, and operational excellence are top priorities.