What does a terminal manager do?
Terminal managers are professionals who are responsible for managing workers and direct dispatching activities of logistics vehicles. These managers are required to develop relationships with corporate and operational departments so that they can ensure the company logistics standards are met. They must resolve customer service complaints by implementing satisfactory solutions to retain customers. Terminal drivers must train new drivers so that they can be licensed, tested, and certified according to federal and state laws. They are also required to maintain a clean and safe working condition of their facility and equipment.
Terminal manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real terminal manager resumes:
- Manage all CDL drivers files, medical re-certifications, and random drug and alcohol testing.
- Utilize company trucks and outside carriers to achieve proper and JIT deliveries of order goods.
- Provide route profitability analysis as directed, manage transportation GPS process.
- Manage all truckload and LTL warehouse operations including consolidation and distribution for several customers.
- Coordinate logistics process, freight movement, and contractor activities managing inbound/outbound freight, customer service and administration.
- Manage inventory of inbound ocean containers, coordinate and schedule TL operations, supervise yard hostlers and manage outbound trailer traffic.
- Supervise dispatchers with data entries in AS400 program.
- Rate waybills and keypunch these waybills in AS400 to create invoices.
- Coordinate quarterly safety meetings for drivers, warehouse and HAZMAT loaders.
- Earn CDL and used experience to ride with and train new drivers.
- Design annual revenue generating projects to improve local terminal (ROI).
- Supervise the compliance with federal rules and regulations of HAZMAT transportation of goods.
- Close out BOL s on customer s proprietary software and arrange batches for billing.
- Coach employee through key areas of focus to align with BP third party expectations.
- Maintain a safe workplace and keep MSDS logs update according to OSHA and federal rules and regulations.
Terminal manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Terminal Managers are proficient in Customer Service, DOT, and OSHA. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Terminal Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 15%
Performed hiring, driver scheduling/dispatch, safety, vehicle repair and preventive-maintenance schedules, inventory control and all customer service.
- DOT, 13%
Collaborate with US Federal DOT inspectors from Federal Railroad Administration including periodic audits of terminal operations involving safety & document control.
- OSHA, 5%
Reviewed facility and ensured compliance with safety and OSHA regulations.
- Payroll, 4%
Assigned additional responsibility for processing driver payroll that included verification of hours to ensure accuracy of pay and reimbursement.
- Facility Maintenance, 4%
Maintained staffing, facility maintenance, compliance and operational readiness.
- Customer Satisfaction, 4%
Directed the accurate and timely processing of all information to ensure internal and external customer satisfaction and compliance with company procedures.
Common skills that a terminal manager uses to do their job include "customer service," "dot," and "osha." You can find details on the most important terminal manager responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a terminal manager to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what terminal managers do because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a terminal manager resume shows how terminal managers use communication skills: "maintain excellent customer relations, communications and on time service. "
Leadership skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling terminal manager duties is leadership skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." According to a terminal manager resume, here's how terminal managers can utilize leadership skills in their job responsibilities: "exercise visible leadership with respect to local implementation of global/national/regional safety programs and initiatives. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what terminal managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to terminal manager responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical terminal manager tasks: "provided staff training and appraisals, resolved discipline and grievance issues, and maintained payroll and other hr records. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for terminal manager responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of terminal managers all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real terminal manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a terminal manager does: "ensured all freight was delivered on time, while following all of the dot regulations. "
The three companies that hire the most terminal managers are:
- Trimac Transportation Ltd.28 terminal managers jobs
- ADM6 terminal managers jobs
- Forward Air6 terminal managers jobs
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Compare different terminal managers
Terminal manager vs. Logistics director
A logistics director spearheads and oversees a company's logistics operations. They are primarily responsible for setting goals and guidelines, managing the budgets and timelines, researching new opportunities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of operations, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also maintain positive relationships with key clients and external parties, such as distributors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead employees while implementing the company's policies and regulations, recommending new ones as needed.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, terminal manager responsibilities require skills like "dot," "work ethic," "osha," and "payroll." Meanwhile a typical logistics director has skills in areas such as "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "logistics operations," and "project management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Logistics directors tend to reach higher levels of education than terminal managers. In fact, logistics directors are 10.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.6% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Terminal manager vs. Transportation officer
A Transportation Officer is an expert in all transport affairs. Serving in this role, your duties will include ensuring the provision of transportation to inmates for medical appointments and emergency response. You will also be in charge of controlling and supervising a platoon of truck drivers and assisting the commander as the executive officer of a logistics company. In addition to that, you will have the responsibility of supervising the inventory of inbound ocean containers and maintaining outbound trailer traffic.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that terminal manager responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "dot," "work ethic," and "osha." But a transportation officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "restraints," "cpr," "patrol," and "transport inmates."
In general, transportation officers achieve similar levels of education than terminal managers. They're 2.0% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Terminal manager vs. Traffic director
A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions. Should there be any issues or concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is vital to lead and encourage the employees to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from terminal manager resumes include skills like "customer service," "dot," "work ethic," and "osha," whereas a traffic director is more likely to list skills in "control traffic," "patrol," "general maintenance," and "direct traffic. "
Traffic directors earn the best pay in the media industry, where they command an average salary of $59,120. Terminal managers earn the highest pay from the energy industry, with an average salary of $74,010.When it comes to education, traffic directors tend to earn similar degree levels compared to terminal managers. In fact, they're 1.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Terminal manager vs. Distribution supervisor
Even though a few skill sets overlap between terminal managers and distribution supervisors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a terminal manager might have more use for skills like "dot," "work ethic," "payroll," and "facility maintenance." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of distribution supervisors require skills like "logistics," "continuous improvement," "shipping receiving," and "corrective action. "
Distribution supervisors enjoy the best pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $68,278. For comparison, terminal managers earn the highest salary in the energy industry.In general, distribution supervisors hold similar degree levels compared to terminal managers. Distribution supervisors are 0.4% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of terminal manager
Updated January 8, 2025
