Making your option choices in school? Get inspired andpick the future you want

Road transport manager

Plan sustainable road transport for goods and people. You'd make sure all trips are safe, cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

About skillsGetting in

About the job

Salary

Source: National Careers Service

Weekly

£442

Entry level

£1,058

Experienced

Monthly

£1,917

Entry level

£4,583

Experienced

Yearly

£23,000

Entry level

£55,000

Experienced

5,200

people are currently employed

High growth

300 more jobs in 5 years

These figures refer to this job and similar ones with comparable skills and qualifications. They only apply to Scotland. Source: Oxford Economics

What it's like

You'd 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.  

Through efficient logistical planning you can help the sector to decarbonise.

You'd:

  • 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'd have to understand UK and EU rules, and make sure that all operations follow them.

Green job

In this job you'll be doing work to help the environment. Find out more about green jobs.

Hours

You'd normally work about 38 hours a week, but this may include shiftwork and weekends to cover 24-hour operations.

Environment

Your time would be split between the office, the transport depot and your clients' premises.

Explore more information about this job

Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:

Like the sound of this career?

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Road transport manager'

Select qualification level(s)

Show me courses

Other careers that you might like

  • Air traffic controller
  • Pilot - Airline
  • Airport baggage handler
  • Bus or coach driver
  • Courier
  • Delivery van driver
  • Driving instructor
  • Forklift truck operator
  • Freight forwarder
  • Pilot - Helicopter
  • Large goods vehicle driver
  • Postal delivery worker
  • Taxi driver
  • Train driver
  • Warehouse operative
  • Driving examiner
  • Dynamic positioning operator
  • Flight dispatcher
  • Ground controller
Browse all job profiles

Related industries

Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.

  • Transport
View all industries

Top skills

Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!

It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.

Here are some of the skills you'll need to do this job:

  • understanding
  • taking responsibility
  • motivating others
  • making decisions
  • delegating
  • coaching
  • developing a plan
  • working with numbers
  • verbal communication

Your skills are important

Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.

Discover skills

Getting in

Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.

Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:

  • Business

  • Business Management

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.

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. 

Find the right course for you

Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Road transport manager'

View all courses

Search jobs and apprenticeships

View work opportunities