Road Transport Manager

Also known as:

Transport Manager, Road

Introduction

Road transport managers plan and run transport operations, working in either freight or passenger transport. This involves planning routes and schedules, managing drivers and ensuring that vehicles are safe.

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Work Activities

Road transport managers take overall responsibility for the efficient and safe running of vehicles carrying passengers and/or goods by road.

The duties of road transport managers differ slightly, depending on whether they are employed in freight (goods) or passenger transport.

In companies that specialise in road freight, managers may be called commercial/operations managers. They are responsible for a fleet of vehicles and their drivers. They ensure that deliveries get to customers on time and in good condition.

In passenger transport, managers are responsible for scheduling regular services, or, depending on the company they work for, organising coach trips and holidays in the UK and beyond.

Both freight and passenger transport businesses need at least one member of staff, usually a manager, to have a relevant Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).

Duties that both freight and passenger transport managers have in common include:
• ensuring that vehicles are safe and roadworthy and meet UK and European Union (EU) legal standards
• implementing UK and EU regulations relating to driver hours, environmental controls on fuel emissions and health and safety
• supervising drivers and maintenance and administrative staff
• maintaining accounts, analysing costs and meeting financial targets
• allocating vehicles to drivers and making sure there is enough cover
• making sure that drivers know where they are going and what time they have to be at their destination
• making arrangements when operations are affected by bad weather, traffic problems, accidents or vehicle breakdowns.

Road transport managers spend a lot of time on the telephone liaising with customers and employees. They also spend time on computer, emailing clients and using software packages for planning, scheduling and administration.

In some companies, road transport managers may also be involved in recruiting and training staff, and purchasing and selling vehicles.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

Good written and spoken communication skills are required. You should be tactful, diplomatic and calm, as well as flexible and quick thinking to be able to make decisions and solve problems.

You need strong organisational skills. You should be good with figures and computer literate. You should be able to work well under pressure and meet deadlines.

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Pay and Opportunities

Salaries vary widely depending on the type and size of company.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Road transport managers earn in the range of £21,000 - £26,000 a year, rising to £30,000 - £45,000. Higher earners can make around £55,000 a year.

Transport managers work 40-hours a week, which may include shift work, split shifts, early starts, late finishes and weekend work.

Among the employers in the industry are haulage companies which operate locally, nationally and internationally. Some run a few vehicles, others run 50 plus, while the largest run up to 250.

Some also deal with warehousing, stock control and distribution.

A number of large wholesale and retail organisations run their own transport fleets.

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Adult Opportunities

It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Working in the road haulage business as a driver/clerk/supervisor can lead to entry into trainee management-level posts. Some business experience and commercial awareness is important.

If you don't have the qualifications needed to enter your chosen degree or HND course, a college or university Access course could be the way in.

These courses are designed for people who have not followed the usual routes into higher education. No formal qualifications are usually needed, but you should check this with individual colleges.

A number of centres throughout the country offer the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This is available full-time, part-time or by distance learning.

Distance learning is also available from: The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) - transport and transport management courses, ranging from introductory level to MSc programmes offered in conjunction with Glamorgan University: International Logistics and Supply Chain Management and International Transport and Logistics.

• 6% of people in occupations such as road transport manager have flexible hours.

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