Road transport manager
Job facts
- Employers can include national and international freight companies
- Work includes planning transport schedules and managing staff
- Salaries range from £21,000 to £46,000
Road transport managers plan routes and schedules for fleets of lorries that carry goods. The actual duties of a road transport manager vary depending on the size and type of business, but can include estimating quantities and types of goods that need to be moved, planning transport schedules and timetables, and managing staff. Employers vary from small local businesses to large national and international freight companies.
Transport managers generally work office hours, but may need to work shifts or rotas. Much of the work is office based, though they may also need to spend time in depots, garage areas and out on the road. Salaries range from around £21,600 to £45,800 a year.
Road transport managers need:
- strong organisational skills for planning schedules, journeys and loads
- spoken and written communication skills
- leadership and motivational skills
- the ability to work well under pressure and to tight deadlines
There are no specific entry qualifications for road transport managers, but most trainees starting on a junior management scheme will have at least five GCSEs (A*-C), including English and maths, and A levels or equivalent. The Diploma in Retail Business or Diploma in Business, Administration and Finance may be useful for this area of work. Apprenticeships may also be available.
There are opportunities to move between different types of company or specialise in other modes of transport such as rail, sea or air transport. Within large multinational companies, there are opportunities to work overseas.
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