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Transportation Manager Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A 13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05transport manager directs operations for transportation, hauling and logistics companies. Their duties include coordinating assets throughout an operational area, planning operations and managing the overhead and personnel requirements of a freight company. They are also responsible for ensuring company-wide compliance with the various legal obligations of interstate and intrastate shipping.

Transport manager duties and responsibilities

A capable 13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05transport manager should be decisive and well-organized. Carrying the responsibility of planning and managing operations across a large team of drivers and loaders, they have to gather and process information about the transportation network and stay on top of current orders. Specific 13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05transport manager job duties may include:

  • Overseeing the daily maintenance of vehicles in the fleet
  • Conducting vehicle inspections to ensure roadworthiness
  • Assigning vehicle repair and maintenance duties
  • Monitoring driver qualifications and training
  • Inspecting loads and preventing overloading
  • Keeping and transmitting complete and accurate records for each vehicle in the fleet, and for cargo transported

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Transportation Manager Job Description Examples

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines
Job Description Best Practices
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What does a 13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05transport manager do?

Transport managers lead a team of drivers, loaders, dispatchers and maintenance personnel to ensure the smooth operation of a fleet of trucks. Communicating with upper management and state regulators, they regularly inspect vehicles and cargo loads for safety and compliance with applicable local laws. Most transport managers also have at least some supervisory duties over one or more teams at the yard, and they are routinely expected to handle employee issues involving job duties, scheduling and discipline.

13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Transport manager skills and qualifications

Successful transport managers should have a wide variety of skills and qualifications. Some of the more common traits of a person in this position are:

  • Solid math skills adequate for computing load tolerance and mileage estimates
  • In-depth knowledge of industry-standard methods, costs and best practices for hauling freight
  • Familiarity with transit and shipping codes
  • Hazardous materials training, with or without formal certification
  • Leadership and the ability to positively motivate a team of drivers, mechanics and laborers
  • A working understanding of vehicle components, loading equipment and computers

13550955transportation manager13.78logistics4.75fleet manager3.75logistics manager3.66manager2.8110888210300223000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY470134752025-10-012025-10-312025-09-012025-09-302025-11-05Transport manager experience requirements

Because transport managers are supervisor-level employees, most transport companies prefer to hire candidates with extensive experience in shipping and logistics. As a rule, transport managers will have experience driving, loading and/or maintaining fleet vehicles. Many will also have a background in logistics or dispatching. Transport managers frequently have multiple years of experience in the industry, which may be as a driver, loader or transportation manager at another company.

Transport manager education and training requirements

Transport managers often have a Bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, supply chain management or a related field. This is not strictly necessary, and many employers are willing to hire a high school graduate with sufficient industry experience. Many transport managers carry professional licensure, which may be granted by a number of bodies, including: Certified Logistics Associate (MSSC) Certified Supply Chain Professional (ASTL), Certified Management Accountant (IMA) or Certified Manager Certification (ICPM).

Transport manager salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a transportation manager is $68,318 a year. This is only an average, and the actual salary for any given position depends on the company doing the hiring, the local market and the skills and qualifications of the applicant.

Transport manager salary expectations

2025-10-0123000.0086673.87189000.00YEARLY
  • Common salary: 86673.87 YEARLY
  • Typical salaries range from 23000.00 - 189000.00 YEARLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Job description samples for similar positions

If a transportation manager position doesn’t exactly sound like what you’re looking to hire for, you might need to find someone in a similar or related field. Browse through these logistics jobs to find a position that better meets your needs:

Transport manager job description FAQs

What should you look for in a transportation manager resume?

A successful transportation manager’s resume should be clear and easy to understand, list an adequate education or certification history and display the candidate’s experience in relevant parts of the same industry you’re hiring for.

What makes a good transportation manager job description?

To be effective, a transportation manager job description should be clear, concise and go into some detail about the specific industry and job duties candidates are expected to perform. If professional certifications are required, it is helpful to list them all in the initial public description.

Do transportation managers have different responsibilities in different industries?

Transportation manager careers differ somewhat by industry, as well as by employer. Air, overland and marine transportation managers may perform similar roles in their respective industries, though the details will vary based on the equipment they inspect and oversee as well as the regulatory environment.

What are the different types of transportation manager?

Transportation managers do different work in different industries. Some focus more on overland transportation and oversee a fleet of trucks, while others work in marine transportation and have expertise in barges and other sea craft. Sometimes, logicians and logistics managers hold a job title like transportation manager, while performing a somewhat different role, depending on the company where they work.

Job Description Best Practices
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Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

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