Transportation Managers (NOC 0713)
Description
Transportation managers (operations) plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of transportation companies such as railways, airlines, bus lines, municipal transit systems, shipping lines and trucking companies, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. Transportation managers (freight traffic) plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate companies or departments responsible for the transportation and movement of goods, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. They are employed by transportation, freight forwarding and shipping companies and by transportation departments of companies in retail and manufacturing sectors and utilities.
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Example Titles
- bus company manager
- flight operations manager
- freight forwarding manager
- logistics manager
- marine superintendent
- railway freight manager
- superintendent, rail operations
- traffic manager
- transport department manager
- transportation manager
- urban transit system manager
- school/student transportation manager
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Classified Elsewhere
- Airport managers, harbour masters and other managers of transportation facilities (in 0721 Facility Operation and Maintenance Managers
- Senior transportation managers (in 0016 Senior Managers - Goods Production, Utilities, Transportation and Construction)
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Duties
Transportation managers (operations) perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of a transportation company
- Set operations policies and standards, including determination of safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods, and ensure compliance with transport regulations
- Oversee dispatch of vehicles, vessels or aircraft
- Control the company or departmental budget, including acquisitions
- Monitor company's or department's performance, prepare reports for senior management, and plan for changes to schedules and policies
- Recruit personnel and oversee their training.
Transportation managers (freight traffic) perform some or all of the following duties:
- Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate companies or departments responsible for coordinating, arranging and monitoring the transportation and movement of goods
- Arrange for shipping documentation and oversee the scheduling and dispatching of goods and the tracking and tracing of goods in transit
- Set performance goals, oversee the setting of transportation service rates and monitor revenue
- Develop plans and procedures for the transportation and storage of goods
- Negotiate with carriers, warehouse operators and insurance company representatives for services and preferential rates
- Control the departmental budget
- Recruit personnel and oversee their training.
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Skills
Transportation managers should have the following skills and abilities:
- organizational and supervisory skills
- numeracy skills for financial management
- computer literacy
- analytical and decision-making skills
- written and verbal communication skills for dealing with clients, operations staff and government officials
- interpersonal skills in situations requiring negotiation, discipline, or training.
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Employment Requirements
- Transportation managers may be required to have a bachelor's degree or college diploma in business administration, logistics or other related field.
- Several years of experience in transportation operations, including supervisory experience, are required.
- Extensive operational experience in a particular transport mode, e.g., pilot, train engineer, truck driver, ship's officer, may be accepted instead of formal education requirements.
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Terms & Conditions
Transportation managers usually work in an office environment located in the warehouse or shipping area of the company. Depending on the size and nature of the company, managers may travel out of the office.
Shift work may be required as passengers are moved and goods are shipped seven days per week, 24 hours per day. Overtime work and pressure situations can arise when there are adverse weather conditions or mechanical breakdowns to deal with, as shipments must reach customers in good condition and on time.
There is virtually no part time employment in this occupation. There can be busy and slow periods throughout the year. Some managers are self-employed owners of trucking firms (11%).
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Earnings
$45,000 per annum - starting
$62,800 per annum - average
$84,200 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- Certificate, diploma and degree programs in business administration and logistics are offered by post-secondary institutions in Manitoba.
- The University of Manitoba's Transport Institute (UMTI) offers a Certificate program in Logistics, in coordination with the Red River Community College, the Canadian Institute for Traffic and Transportation (CITT) and the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association.
- Red River College offers a 2-level Transport and Distribution Management certificate.
- Six courses offered by UMTI match the curriculum of the Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT). Students who receive the Certificate in Logistics would be able to complete their CITT designation with preliminary courses offered at Red River College or many other post-secondary institutions.
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Career Paths
Managers in transportation usually have several years of experience in operational or administrative jobs in a particular mode of transport. Specialties usually develop in trucking, bus, ail, air cargo, marine, or passenger airline operations, with little mobility between these areas.
Managers may advance to senior and executive positions depending on individual performance and qualifications.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for transportation managers are expected to be good in the period 2010 to 2014. The number employed in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 1055.
The evolution of the global economy and the consequent increase in the movement of goods and people as a result, bodes well for the employment of transportation managers. The importance of logistics to competitive advantage is well recognized. Economic growth in Manitoba will result in a greater need for transportation services of all kinds (air, road, rail, and water), but especially air and road. Over the forecast period there will be significant reinvestment in roads and airport infrastructure in Manitoba to support these services.
Transportation managers are employed in all regions of Manitoba. The majority (68%) work in the Transportation and Warehousing industry, followed by Wholesale Trade (9%) and Public Administration (7%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
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