Transportation Manager: Job Description, Salary, Duties & More (2024)

What Does it Take to Become a Transportation Manager?

Have you been thinking about becoming a transportation manager and can’t find a good guide on how to become one?

In this article, you will learn what education, skills, and questions you could be asked at an interview.

There is more you can learn that would serve you in your career as a transportation manager.

You will learn what you could be making and what they do.

You will leave knowing more than what you did before you clicked to get here.

Let’s get into it.

Transportation Manager Job Information

Official Job Title	Transportation Manager
Average Salary	$68,757*
Stress Level	Average
Work/ Life	Medium
Job Satisfaction	Medium
Career Advancement	Average

*Source: Transportation Manager Salary | PayScale

Job Description of a Transportation Manager

What is a Transportation Manager?

As a transportation manager, you would handle the transportation side of businesses and any issues that prop up with any supplies ordered or received.

You will also schedule rides for their employees if the business provides them.

What Does a Transportation Manager Do on a Daily Basis?

As a transportation manager, you would make sure everything is running smoothly.

You would also ensure all safety and rules are followed to keep the workplace safe.

You would keep up with all the orders and shipments made throughout the day.

You need to have good time management to keep up with everything every day.

Falling behind could potentially set everyone back for that day.

Responsibilities, Duties, & Roles of a Transportation Manager

As stated previously, you would have to keep an eye on orders and shipments of the business.

This is a vital role to have.

You would have to know where an airplane, vehicle, or train is with the order or shipment so you can give updates and deal with any delays.

You would work with staff members to make goals for the business’s revenue.

You are responsible for keeping up with vehicle maintenance, the place used for transportation, and getting them fixed when a part goes bad.

Salary of a Transportation Manager

The salary of a transportation manager depends on your experience and the place where you get hired.

Average Salary is around $68,757
Starting Salary is around $55,418
Senior Salary is around $76,608

How to Become a Transportation Manager

The Entry Level: Certification, Training, & Degree

You would need a bachelor’s degree in logistics to enter the career of a transportation manager.

This is so you would have all the necessary knowledge to do the job better than you would without it.

You can have another degree in a relevant field in transportation.

You don’t have to have a certification, but it would help you stand out to the employer when you apply for the job.

You could use these two certifications: the International Society of Logistics and the American Production and Inventory Control Society.

You will need some work experience, which wouldn’t take much after completing your degree.

You must have experience working in supply chains and logistics.

Anything that would pertain to the job so you can learn about the production processes.

Other Skill Sets, Requirements, & Qualifications

You need leadership skills, conflict resolution, and critical thinking skills to be a transportation manager.

You must have all these to do the job correctly and succeed. In any manager position, it is essential that you have leadership skills as you will be supervising and leading people.

Conflict resolution will help you when dealing with orders or shipping or if anything dealing with transportation goes wrong.

If you don’t have good conflict resolution skills, it could turn sour when you need those skills to be able to handle the conflict that will inevitably happen.

You will use your critical thinking skills when supervising how things are running and make sure things are running smoothly.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Transportation Manager?

Becoming a transportation manager can take more than four years as you need to get your degree.

That can take up to four years already.

You need at least two years of experience to become a transportation manager.

There are also certifications that you can take as well.

So you could be looking at up to eight years to become one.

Is it Hard to Become a Transportation Manager?

It is hard when you factor in what you need to do before becoming one and all the skills you need to succeed as a transportation manager.

Career Paths for a Transportation Manager

The Transportation Manager Roadmap

The roadmap to becoming a transportation manager is getting your bachelor’s degree, taking any certifications you can, and getting the experience you need to become a transportation manager.

Projections for Growth in Transportation Manager Jobs

The projection for growth in transportation manager jobs is a 6% increase through 2031.

In Summary: Is Transportation Manager a Good Career?

This is an excellent career to have as there is demand for it.

It may take a while, but it will be rewarding.

The demand will increase over the next couple of years.

Working Conditions

Can a Transportation Manager Work Remotely from Home?

There is a possibility that you can do some things remotely, but some things would probably need to be done in person.

So, you could work from home part-time while coming in to do the things you must do in person.

You will likely need to be there in person to do your duties properly.

How Many Hours Does a Transportation Manager Work?

You would work forty hours or more as a transportation manager, depending on your workplace.

Can a Transportation Manager Work Part-time?

There is a chance you could work part-time, but you primarily work full-time at this job with all the duties you have.

What Are the Average Vacation Days of a Transportation Manager?

This will vary based on where you are employed and how long you have been working there.

Alternative Careers & Similar Jobs to a Transportation Manager

Resume Tips for a Transportation Manager

Starting on that resume and need some tips?

Let’s get into them.

First, you will want to include your correct information.

Then you need to list the skills relevant to being a transportation manager.

Make sure you put the skills you need to stand out to the employer and let them know you are the best for the position.

Interview Questions for a Transportation Manager

Q1: How are your communication skills?

Why it works: This will help the employer know how well you can communicate with others.

Q2: Are you able to make quick decisions?

Why it works: This helps the employer know if you are or aren’t able to make a quick decision as sometimes you will have to make them. It makes things move along faster.

Q3: How are your conflict resolution skills?

Why it works: This will show the employer that you are or aren’t capable of resolving the problems that can and will arise.

Q4: Are you able to take a leadership role?

Why it works: This will show the employer that you are or aren’t able to take a leadership role due to your leadership skills.

Q5: Are you willing to adapt as things change?

Why it works: This will tell the employer how well you can handle change, which is vital in the day-to-day work life of a transportation manager.

Q6: What made you want to become a transportation manager?

Why it works: This is how the employer can find out what you are in it for and if you would be a good fit for this position.

Jobs Related to a Transportation Manager

Office Manager
Project Manager
Operations Manager
Network Manager
Compensation Manager
Director of Purchasing

For HR Managers: Tips for Hiring a Transportation Manager

Key Characteristics to Look for in a Transportation Manager

The key characteristics you need to look for in a transportation manager are the willingness to change, organization, decision-making, critical thinking, great attention to detail, patience, and compassion.

These are essential characteristics that a transportation manager needs to have.

Minimum Level of Education & Experience

A transportation manager’s minimum level of education is a bachelor’s degree.

The applicant needs at least two years of experience in the transportation field.

They don’t need to have any certifications, but this would be a plus if they had them as it adds more knowledge to the field.