Road transport manager

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Transport, distribution and logistics
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Career outlook for road transport manager

UK Salary Ranges

Entry-level

£23,000

Experienced

£55,000


Currently employed in Scotland

5,200

Salary information is provided by the "National Careers Service". "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would plan road transport for goods and people, making sure all trips are safe, efficient and cost-effective.

It would be up to you to make sure all passengers and items get to the right place at the right time.  

Through efficient logistical planning you can help the sector to decarbonise.

You would:

  • Work with suppliers and customers to plan routes and deliveries
  • Manage a team of supervisors, office staff and drivers
  • Make sure targets are met
  • Run staff training
  • Put together reports for directors
  • Arrange vehicle repairs, MOTs and tax payments
  • Organise vehicle replacements
  • Manage contracts and find new business

You would have to understand UK and EU rules, and make sure that all operations follow them.

Working conditions

Hours

You would normally work about 38 hours a week, but this may include shiftwork and weekends to cover 24-hour operations.

Environment

Your time would be split between the office, the transport depot and your clients' premises.

UK employment status

Full-time

87%

Part-time

3%

Self employed

10%

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Here are some of the skills needed for this job. Sign in to see how your skills match up.

  • Verbal communication
  • Working with numbers
  • Developing a plan
  • Coaching
  • Delegating
  • Making decisions
  • Motivating others
  • Taking responsibility
  • Understanding

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Getting in

Entry requirements for courses can change. Always contact the college, university or training provider to check exactly what you'll need.

Qualifications

There are no formal qualifications to enter this job. Many road transport managers start out as drivers, team leaders or administrators and work their way up to management. 

Most employers look for a good general education with qualifications at SCQF Level 4 to 6.

You may be able to enter a management trainee programme with an HNC/HND (SCQF Level 7/8) or degree (SCQF Level 9/10) in logistics, transport, business or supply chain management.

To enter an HNC/HND course usually requires National 4/5 qualifications and one to two Highers.

To enter a degree requires National 5 qualifications and at least three Highers or a suitable HNC/HND qualification.

There are few transport or logistic-centred courses in Scotland; to study elsewhere in the UK you may require additional Highers, and in some cases, Advanced Highers or Baccalaureate qualifications.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by some courses)
  • Maths (required by some courses)
  • Administration
  • ICT
  • Business
  • Finance-centred subjects

Helpful to have

Work-based qualifications such as a Scottish Vocational Qualification in Supply Chain Management (SVQ level 3/4/5) and the Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) will be of value when applying or you may work towards these qualifications once in a job.