Transportation managers ensure shipments into or out of the organization or company where they work are quick, within budget, and safely handled. They oversee the transfer of equipment or personnel as operated by the organization. They are responsible for the development of department policies and procedures, and for personnel activities and schedules, and they oversee shipment coordination and routing.
Transportation managers might sometimes need to coordinate with outside service providers including messenger services, freight shippers, and transporters. They prepare the department’s budgets and schedules and ensure company shipping and safety procedures and protocols continue to run smoothly. They also ensure that all shipping documents are correctly prepared and filled out, and they research and correct problems that arrive throughout the work day. Transportation managers develop hands-on fluency with current laws about shipping and hauling, including the transportation of hazardous materials, freight classification, and the safety of employees. They also direct teams about the maintenance and repair or replacement of shipping fleets and equipment, and the scheduling of daily routines. Transportation managers need a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or logistics.