Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Transportation Manager
A Transportation Manager is a professional responsible for overseeing the movement of goods, products, or materials from one place to another. They ensure timely and efficient delivery of goods while minimizing transportation costs and ensure compliance with transportation regulations. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Transportation Managers.
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Main Responsibilities of Transportation Manager
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Transportation Manager:
Analyze
Analyze historical data to develop opportunities for service enhancements and freight cost reduction.
Analyze, measure, and develop on-time delivery performance reporting.
Arrange
Arrange for shipping documentation and the tracking and tracing of goods in transit.
Assist
Assist Contractual Manager with review and resolution of union grievances.
Assist in handling paperwork, billing and other administrative activities.
Assist in the annual evaluation process of all transportation employees and in discipline decisions.
Assist in the development, coordination, and roll out of a Transportation Management System.
Assist in the general office routine.
Assist in the implementation of the new TMS to ensure PDI requirements are incorporated.
Assist other departments with coordination of shipments.
Assist teams with late flights and equipment changes.
Assist the directors in their transport management duties.
Attend
Attend driver-parent meetings when necessary.
Build
Build and manage small parcel budget for Ecommerce.
Build teamwork among the employees.
Coach
Coach and mentor delivery professionals to increase employee engagement.
Communicate with
Communicate directly with clients and carriers.
Communicate with other departments including Production and Client Success.
Complete
Complete ownership of Freight Payment relationships and associated business rules.
Conduct
Conduct outreach initiatives targeting isolated seniors.
Conduct rate negotiations with strategic and tactical suppliers annually and as required.
Conduct rate negotiations with strategic & tactical suppliers annually & as required.
Conduct regular safety audits on equipment.
Coordinate
Coordinate and manage the Quarterly Business Review process with major carriers.
Coordinate transportation for seniors for medical appointments.
Coordinate with Warehouse Workers to ensure proper storage and distribution of products.
Create
Create assignments for team drivers and assignments to flights.
Create Transportation related KPIs.
Determine
Determine organizational needs to support our ecommerce strategy and growth by analyzing data.
Develop
Develop a highly analytical and optimization focused culture.
Develop and maintain a productive staff by hiring, training, and professional development.
Develop and Maintain a wide variety of fleet operational guidelines.
Develop and meet Ecommerce KPIs (Key Performance Indicators).
Develop and operate an effective transportation information reporting system.
Develop and train all employees within the Department by company standards and guidelines.
Develop consistent routing at a Customer level.
Develop, implement, and enforce policies and procedures for transportation operations.
Develop, manage & deliver against transportation budgets.
Develop service contingencies to support the entire supply chain.
Direct
Direct activities related to dispatching, routing, and tracking transportation vehicles.
Direct transportation associates to achieve prescribed objectives.
Drive
Drive employee engagement and recognition.
Enforce
Enforce safety and compliance regulations for all equipment, vehicles, and transport employees.
Enforce safety procedures to ensure safety of personnel working at the plant or handling materials.
Enhance
Enhance shipment visibility across the organization.
Ensure
Ensure all teams are catering correct aircraft and flights.
Ensure a safe working environment for all employees.
Ensure cohesive collaboration with Supply Chain Compliance Team / Regulations.
Ensure compliance to all regulatory issues within scope of service.
Ensure customer issues are researched and resolved timely.
Ensure customer satisfaction in all areas of service, reporting and business development.
Ensure customers' service and security requirements are met.
Ensure facilities and buses are maintained to First Student safety and environmental standards.
Ensure home to school routes are covered in a timely and efficient manner.
Ensure purchases follow company processes and policies.
Ensure safety practices and applicable regulations are obeyed by all employees.
Ensure shipping documents are properly filed.
Ensure that safety, compliance, environmental and DOT requirements are followed at all times.
Ensure third party carriers meet on-time delivery expectations.
Ensure transport compliance with regulations.
Establish
Establish a financial audit for fleet operations to determine its cost-effectiveness.
Establish and implement policies and standards for the transportation and storage of goods.
Establish and maintains effective relationships with customers and gains their trust and respect.
Establish control of Hazardous Materials / Consultant for shipment processing.
Establishment
Establishment and ownership of Hazardous Materials Training.
Establish
Establish monthly supplier performance measurements & utilize results to manage suppliers.
Establish process contingency plans, and execute as required to minimize business disruption.
Establish warehouse staff performance expectations.
Evaluate
Evaluate 3PLs for inbound container processing in terms of cost and service.
Execute
Execute company processes successfully to ensure 100% compliance.
Facilitate
Facilitate district planning, community goals, and objectives relative to individual building needs.
Facilitate, manage and support all internal and external reporting requirements.
Facilitate, manage, and support all internal and external reporting requirements.
Facilitate the Renting and Purchasing of Equipment, Trucks, Trailers, etc..
Focus on
Focus on continuous improvement of logistics processes and communication with carriers.
Foster
Foster a work environment that maximizes employee involvement, morale and engagement.
Get
Get first-hand customer information and use it for improvements in products and services.
Handle
Handle all Department of Transportation items for the auction.
Help
Help maintain compliance with food quality, safety and defence requirements.
Help make recommendations for school and transportation operations during inclement weather periods.
Implement
Implement warehouse throughput and space metrics at each location.
Improve
Improve processes, quality, service, and productivity while reducing cost within transportation.
Interface with
Interface with drivers regarding concerns and performance issues.
Investigate
Investigate abnormal operating events and implement repairs and routine maintenance to prevent them.
Investigate client complaints and coordinates resolutions.
Keep
Keep current with the latest transportation industry trends, technology and systems.
Keep organized records of vehicles, schedules and completed orders.
Lead
Lead team of delivery professionals in support of transportation wide initiatives.
Liaise with
Liaise with Customers to ensure proper security protocols are being followed.
Maintain
Maintain a good flow of communication with all personnel.
Maintain an active role in planning truck downtime and out of service periods.
Maintain and manage Truck / Trailer inventory (i.e. what is in yards, location of keys, etc.).
Maintain and monitor food safety activities in compliance with company and customer standards.
Maintain a safe and healthy work environment by enforcing organization standards.
Maintain radio contact with superintendent, meal planner and leads during operation.
Maintain staff by recruiting, selecting, and orienting employees.
Maintain staff job results by training, coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees.
Maintain strong public relations through proactive problem solving.
Maintain updated FMCSA carrier safety profile.
Make
Make sure all Transportation Department area conditions do not threaten employee or customer safety.
Manage
Manage analytics, strategy, and carrier networks planning for all customers.
Manage and plan all transportation activities for domestic and international freight.
Manage a Profit and Loss statement by reducing costs and enhancing revenue opportunities.
Manage audits, reporting, safety inspections, and day to day operations.
Manage carrier relationships and planning function to ensure timely deliveries.
Manage collaborative relationship with all on-site carrier partner representatives.
Manage cost of transportation.
Manage cost per truckload, cube per truckload, and cost per mile.
Manage customer relationships and growth – selling additional services.
Manage driver safety performance within the fleet tracking system.
Manage equipment specifications, replacement plans and lease / purchase contracts across Canada.
Manage existing business and secure new projects.
Manage finances or budget.
Manage Freight Payment initiatives.
Manage inbound deliveries to ensure on time, on cycle and lead time.
Manage injury and collision claims.
Manage operational expenses and explains budget variances.
Manage relationships with external Transportation carriers as well as Agropur unionized employees.
Manage staffing levels based on weekly forecasts.
Manage & support the execution of Transportation plans for shipping surges and capacity constraints.
Match
Match the skill and background of associates to the work required.
Maximize
Maximize profitability through operations excellence, asset utilization and cost control.
Minimize
Minimize route drive times and mileage while adhering to contractual and regulatory mandates.
Monitor
Monitor all data related to the fleet and, for this purpose, upgrade the technology used.
Monitor and manage Telematics Alerts for speeding, theft, and other alerts and provide reports.
Monitor and report on transportation costs.
Monitor published data for accuracy and effectiveness.
Monitor daily manpower planning and schedules employees.
Negotiate
Negotiate and build strong partnerships with our carriers.
Negotiate for services and preferential rates.
Negotiate pricing and contract relationships with Carriers.
Oversee
Oversee and ensure proper records on dispatches for operations and billing purposes.
Oversee and operate a transportation computer routing and scheduling system.
Oversee the scheduling and dispatching of vehicles and goods.
Oversee the setting of transportation service rates and monitor revenue.
Oversee the transportation operation in the absence of the director.
Participate in
Participate in, contribute to and potentially lead various committees, such as quality and safety.
Participate in customer meetings.
Participate in the development of budgets.
Plan
Plan and supervise the shipments from production to the end-user.
Plan for acceptance of loads.
Plan, organize and manage staff to ensure completion of projects consistent with company standards.
Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations.
Practice
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality.
Prepare
Prepare billings and process payments of freight bills.
Produce
Produce and maintain company records for compliance.
Produce reports that summarize performance relative to partnerships and new members.
Promote
Promote a culture of continuous improvement.
Provide
Provide analysis on rates and service offerings as our business expands.
Provide client with customized reports, as requested.
Provide development to supervisory, lead and driver staff.
Provide frequent and timely updates to all parties involved.
Provide information for use in budget development.
Provide leadership and support to a diverse group of individuals.
Provide leadership and direction during annual planning process and freight bidding process.
Provide leadership to all warehouse personnel and the warehouse operation.
Provide oversight to route planning and bid package development.
Provide support and reinforcement necessary to establish and maintain good staff morale.
Provide track and trace information to the customer is in a timely manner.
Provide transportation support and assistance to customers as needed.
Provide volume, route and market data for input to all carrier negotiations.
Recommend
Recommend measures to improve production methods and equipment performance.
Recommend programs to the director that improves the transportation function.
Reconcile
Reconcile variances with ERP inventory data.
Record
Record of successful distribution and logistics management.
Recruit
Recruit, interview, select, train, motivate, coach, and mentor distribution team and drivers.
Recruit, train and supervise staff.
Report
Report all incidents to the General Manager.
Report maintenance and repair needs for transportation vehicles and equipment.
Represent
Represent the agency at functions held in the community to establish networks and engage prospects.
Research
Research and suggest cost-effective shipping methods.
Research, identify, develop relationships with community partners.
Resolve
Resolve routine problems and make decisions within established parameters.
Respond to
Respond to transportation alerts for cold chain fleet and facilitates responses as appropriate.
Review
Review and ensure employees in chain of command are in correct cost centers and correct job titles.
Review and validates inventory accuracy thru physical counts.
Review location expenditures, analyzes variances, and takes corrective actions where needed.
Set
Set accurate schedules for routes.
Supervise
Supervise the drivers and truck operations within multiple local markets.
Support
Support and assists personnel in achieving timely and efficient production schedules.
Support billing and invoice auditing processes.
Support Business Development with various growth requests.
Support overall financial goals.
Support the growth and execution of third-party events.
Support the work of the Executive Director and the Program Coordinator as needed.
Tailor
Tailor the plan to meet area needs.
Take
Take the next step in the right direction of your career.
Track
Track costs and production, oversee budgeting and P&L responsibility.
Track orders using functional systems (e.g. barcodes and tracking software).
Travel
Travel for annual meetings or other Distribution Centers as needed.
Travel on a moment notice for perhaps extended periods of time.
Utilize
Utilize network balance capacity tools to determine location of trucks and available customer loads.
Work with
Work closely with operations management to improve business processes and operational performance.
Work with other departments to understand operational costs for profitability reviews.
Work with Supply Chain, Marketing, and IT to develop / update SOPs as the business model evolves.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Transportation Manager:
Transportation
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Transportation Manager:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Available to travel to support and develop team members
Organizational capacity
Problem-solving attitude
Time-management
