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Port management

Road transport manager

Road transport managers make sure goods and passengers reach their destinations safely, on time and in the most cost effective way.

Annual Salary

£23,000 to £55,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

37 to 44 a week

You could work: evenings / weekends / bank holidays; on shifts

3.4%
Future employment

There will be 3.4% more Road transport manager jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a road transport manager you could:

  • work with suppliers and customers, plan routes and schedule delivery times
  • manage and organise training for supervisors, administrators and drivers
  • manage contracts and make sure targets are met
  • put together performance reports
  • make sure drivers follow regulations and arrange vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments

Working environment

You could work in an office or at a client's business.

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly
University

You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in any subject to become a road transport manager.

You might have an advantage if you study:

  • logistics
  • supply chain management
  • transport management
  • business management

You can also do a postgraduate course.

Graduate scheme

Once you have finished university, you could apply for a place on a graduate transport management trainee scheme. Find out more about getting a place on a graduate scheme.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 1 or 2 A levels, or equivalent, for a foundation degree or higher national diploma
  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study
For more information
Apprenticeship

You could start by doing a Supply Chain Practitioner Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

This will give you some of the skills and knowledge you need to work as an assistant transport manager in areas like retail or fast moving consumer goods, for example food and drink.

If you're already working for a passenger transport company, you might be able to do the Passenger Transport Operations Manager Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could develop your transport skills as a driver, supervisor or admin assistant. With training and experience you could then apply for a road transport manager's job.

Direct application

You could apply directly to road transport manager jobs. You'll be expected to have experience and qualifications in road transport.

Requirements and restrictions

You'll need to:

  • You might need to get a Certificate of Professional Competence if you're the operator of a haulage or transport business. This is known as a Driver CPC.

More information

Career tips

You'll find road transport manager roles in the private and public sector and in many industries such as retail, engineering and passenger transport.

You might find it useful to have:good knowledge of the road network; an understanding of transport rules and regulations; experience of using specialist transport management software

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) for professional recognition and training opportunities.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a transport manager from:The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport; United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA); Transport Planning Society; Generation Logistics

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With experience, you could specialise in rail, sea or air transport.

You could also move into transport planning and consultancy.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • customer service skills
  • business management skills
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • leadership skills
  • knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
  • the ability to work well with others
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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