Road Transport Manager

Also known as:

Transport Manager, Road

Introduction

Road transport managers plan and run transport operations, working in either passenger or freight transport. This involves planning routes and schedules, managing drivers and ensuring that vehicles are safe, all in line with EU and UK laws and regulations.

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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. They also have to apply for, and make sure they keep, an Operator's Licence.

Duties that both freight and passenger transport managers have in common include:
• ensuring that vehicles are roadworthy and meet UK and European Union (EU) legal standards
• implementing UK and EU regulations such as driver hours, environmental controls on fuel emissions and traffic congestion
• supervising drivers and maintenance and administrative staff
• maintaining accounts and meeting financial targets
• allocating vehicles to drivers
• making sure that drivers know where they are going and what time they have to be at their destination
• making arrangements in case of breakdowns.

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

In some companies, road transport managers may also be involved in the recruitment and training of staff, and the purchase and sale of 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.

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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 - £25,500 a year, rising to £30,000 - £42,000. Higher earners can make around £50,000 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 an MSc offered in conjunction with Aston University.

• 3% work part-time.
• 8% have flexible hours.

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