What does a transport 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.
Transport 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
Transport 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
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Common salary:
86673.87 YEARLY -
Typical salaries range from
23000.00 -189000.00 YEARLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
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.
*Indeed provides this information as a courtesy to users of this site. Please note that we are not your recruiting or legal advisor, we are not responsible for the content of your job descriptions, and none of the information provided herein guarantees performance.