Road transport manager

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

• Starter salary£30,000 a year
• Experienced£58,000 a year
• Typical hours37 to 44 a week

What you'll do

As a road transport manager, you could:

• work closely with suppliers and customers
• use transport management systems to plan routes and delivery times
• manage contracts and make sure targets are met
• maintain accurate records and incident reports
• organise training for supervisors, admin staff and drivers
• make sure drivers follow transport regulations and safety policies
• arrange vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments
• provide driver cover when required

Working environment

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

Skills and knowledge you'll need

You'll need:

• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• business management skills
• customer service skills
• leadership skills
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

How to become a road transport manager

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.

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

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do a Procurement and Supply Chain Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship with a road transport company.

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

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

Work

You could start with a transport company as a HGV driver , depot supervisor or transport clerk. You might then move into a road transport manager's job through training and promotion.

Direct application

You could apply directly for road transport manager jobs. You'll be expected to have experience and qualifications in road transport, warehouse management or logistics.

Restrictions and requirements

You'll need to:

• have a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence to be a road haulage or passenger transport operator

Career path and progression

With experience, you could manage regional or national operations with a larger company.

You might also specialise in transport planning, legislation and compliance, or consultancy work.

Over time, you may wish to move into rail, sea or air transport.

Career tips

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

You'll find it useful to have:

• a good knowledge of the UK road network
• an understanding of transport rules and regulations
• experience of using 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.

Guides for this industry

• Transport & Logistics: pay, interviews and getting started →

Related roles

• Job roleTransport planner
• Job roleWarehouse manager
• Job roleHGV driver
• Job roleBus or coach driver
• Job roleSupply chain manager

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0