What does a driver manager do?
The job of driver managers involves the recruitment, training, and assessment of drivers and their qualifications pursuant to driving laws. Driver managers manage vehicles confirming their safety and working order. They monitor the fleet to make sure that the deliveries are done as scheduled. It is part of their responsibilities to serve as mentors for drivers. They address drivers' communications and offer the necessary data to drivers. Also, they set periodical inspections of the vehicles in operation.
Driver manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real driver manager resumes:
- Develop and implement KPI metrics to effectively manage customer satisfaction
- Certify and experience in HAZMAT shipments.
- Head up vehicle maintenance scheduling along with tracking trucks via GPS and monitoring driver hours.
- Help establish policies and procedures for management of all Dallas drivers' GPS systems and data.
- Organize and create an OTR fleet, taking it to one of the top fleets in Denver.
- Obtain necessary documents for the drivers to ensure safe transportation of HAZMAT freight, including overweight permits.
- Develop rapport with customers on eta and freight information to ensure continue sales growth for the company.
- Track drivers to keep customers update on expect time of arrival on deliveries and/or pickups through QualComm.
- Monitor driving associates time OTR, and efficiently schedule freight to bring driving associates home to maximize operating efficiency.
- Use the QUALCOMM system to input all pertinent information of the order before, during and after acceptance of goods.
- DOT certification, hazard material and tanker permit certification.
- Monitor driver hours-of-service to ensure FMCSA regulations are followed.
- Complete timely and accurate data entry into AS400 operations system.
- Maintain warehouse organization, inventory placement, and deliveries of HVAC wholesale products to contractors.
- Utilize QuickBooks for AP and AR purposes.
Driver manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 42% of Driver Managers are proficient in DOT, Good Communication, and On-Time Delivery. They’re also known for soft skills such as Hand-eye coordination, Hearing ability, and Physical health.
We break down the percentage of Driver Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- DOT, 42%
Managed accountability of assigned drivers as it related to DOT compliance, operations, equipment utilization and company policies.
- Good Communication, 31%
Ensured fleet efficiency by tracking accurately RDO's and PTA's with good communication with the drivers.
- On-Time Delivery, 10%
Evaluated and monitored driver performance in all areas including on-time delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Customer Service, 3%
Foster effective communication of information between drivers, Corporate Planners and customer service teams to drive maximum service and productivity.
- OTR, 2%
Managed approximately 30-40 OTR truck drivers and ensured on time deliveries of their loads across the country along with efficient routing.
- Driver Retention, 2%
Build cooperative and positive working relationships with assigned drivers to maximize driver retention levels.
"dot," "good communication," and "on-time delivery" are among the most common skills that driver managers use at work. You can find even more driver manager responsibilities below, including:
Hand-eye coordination. The most essential soft skill for a driver manager to carry out their responsibilities is hand-eye coordination. This skill is important for the role because "drivers of heavy trucks and tractor-trailers must be able to coordinate their legs, hands, and eyes simultaneously so that they will react appropriately to the situation around them and drive the vehicle safely." Additionally, a driver manager resume shows how their duties depend on hand-eye coordination: "managed driver availability and run time requirements through communication/coordination with management team regarding planning, scheduling runs, and driver/equipment utilization. "
Hearing ability. Many driver manager duties rely on hearing ability. "truck drivers need good hearing," so a driver manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways driver manager responsibilities rely on hearing ability: "managed payroll, time off schedules, training, vehicle maintenance, disciplinary proceedings, and unemployment hearings. "
Physical health. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of driver managers is physical health. This skill is critical to many everyday driver manager duties, as "federal regulations do not allow people to become truck drivers if they have a medical condition, such as high blood pressure or epilepsy, which may interfere with their ability to operate a truck." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "work with safety department to ensure all drivers are current with dot physicals & random drug testing. "
Visual ability. A big part of what driver managers do relies on "visual ability." You can see how essential it is to driver manager responsibilities because "truck drivers must be able to pass vision tests." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical driver manager tasks: "maintained all tmw systems duties to include updating and routing in visual dispatch and totalmail. "
The three companies that hire the most driver managers are:
- College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving16 driver managers jobs
- JBS Carriers6 driver managers jobs
- P&S Transportation6 driver managers jobs
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Compare different driver managers
Driver manager vs. Shipping and receiving supervisor
A shipping and receiving supervisor streamlines the shipping process for a more efficient company. The supervisors oversee and maintain the supplies and inventory through product receipt, storage, and delivery. They supervise employees who confirm and record shipment receipt, prepare items for shipping, and load and unload purchases. Supervisors should be equipped with leadership, effective communication, conflict resolution, and time management skills. They are also expected to delegate and have confidence.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between driver managers and shipping and receiving supervisor. For instance, driver manager responsibilities require skills such as "dot," "good communication," "on-time delivery," and "customer service." Whereas a shipping and receiving supervisor is skilled in "shipping receiving," "safety procedures," "logistics," and "pallet jack." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Shipping and receiving supervisors tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $40,669. In contrast, driver managers make the biggest average salary, $44,532, in the energy industry.The education levels that shipping and receiving supervisors earn slightly differ from driver managers. In particular, shipping and receiving supervisors are 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a driver manager. Additionally, they're 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Driver manager vs. Warehouse supervisor
A Warehouse Supervisor's responsibility mainly revolves around inventory, logistics, and workforce supervision. One of the main tasks is to oversee and coordinate with every employee or company involved to ensure that all of the stocks have been received, stored, and delivered according to what is needed. Aside from the maintenance of inventory, it is also the task of the Warehouse Supervisor to hire employees that would be a great addition to the team and the company.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real driver manager resumes. While driver manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "dot," "good communication," "on-time delivery," and "customer service," warehouse supervisors use skills like "logistics," "shipping receiving," "osha," and "safety procedures."
Warehouse supervisors earn a higher average salary than driver managers. But warehouse supervisors earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $50,084. Additionally, driver managers earn the highest salaries in the energy with average pay of $44,532 annually.warehouse supervisors earn similar levels of education than driver managers in general. They're 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Driver manager vs. Shipping supervisor
A shipping supervisor is responsible for monitoring the goods and services, ensuring its quality and quantity before packaging and shipment processing to avoid delays and possible client complaints. Shipping supervisors manage the shipment schedule, including verification of the location and determining correct charges. They also keep track of the incoming and outgoing deliveries by maintaining an organized record in the company's database. A shipping supervisor must have excellent communication and leadership skills, especially on handling customers' concerns, conducting item replacements, and overseeing the warehouse staff to meet maximum productivity goals.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from driver manager resumes include skills like "dot," "good communication," "otr," and "driver retention," whereas a shipping supervisor is more likely to list skills in "safety procedures," "logistics," "shipping receiving," and "continuous improvement. "
Shipping supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the professional industry, where they receive an average salary of $52,217. Comparatively, driver managers have the highest earning potential in the energy industry, with an average salary of $44,532.Most shipping supervisors achieve a similar degree level compared to driver managers. For example, they're 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Driver manager vs. Transportation coordinator
A transportation coordinator is responsible for monitoring the timely deliveries of goods and services based on the shipment agreement. Transportation coordinators track the delivery logistics, assigning fast routes to drivers to avoid possible delays, and adhere to the deadline. They assist in loading and unloading merchandise from the distribution trucks, inspecting the items for defects and inconsistencies, and move the products in safe storage areas. A transportation coordinator may also operate warehouse tools and equipment, as well as perform data processing to update stock information on the software system and investigate delivery issues.
Types of driver manager
Updated January 8, 2025
