Career outlook for road transport manager
Figures and forecasts for roles at the same level, which require similar skills and qualifications.
Average UK salary
£42,120
Currently employed in Scotland
5,000
Average UK salary
£42,120
Currently employed in Scotland
5,000
"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "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.
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
Environment
UK employment status
Full-time
87%
Part-time
3%
Self employed
10%
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Discover my routeTop skills
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- Verbal communication
- Working with numbers
- Developing a plan
- Coaching
- Delegating
- Making decisions
- Motivating others
- Taking responsibility
- Understanding
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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.