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Transportation manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Warren Beeler,

Curt Macysyn

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical transportation manager skills. We ranked the top skills for transportation managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 15.4% of transportation manager resumes contained customer service as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a transportation manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 transportation manager skills for your resume and career

1. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how transportation managers use customer service:

Managed a 3000+ unit private fleet consisting of residential product delivery, retail store replenishment transportation and in-home customer service units.
Moved continuously and rapidly departmentally starting as a customer service representative and moving into positions with more responsibility and work load.

2. DOT

Here's how transportation managers use dot:

Review daily orders for additional private fleet opportunities based on above requirements including driver dispatching and adhering to DOT Regulations.
Maintain legal equipment and drivers through regular audits and qualification maintenance in accordance with DOT regulations.

3. Supply Chain

A supply chain is a network or a sequence by which finished products of a company are distributed to retailers and then supplied to the end-users. The distribution of products and services from the production line to the final buyers is carried out in a series of steps including; manufacturing, transportation, and their distribution. The whole supply chain consists of different entities including; manufacturers, transportation, warehouses, suppliers, and retailers. The entities ensure that the products retain their originality while also minimizing the cost of delivery.

Here's how transportation managers use supply chain:

Facilitated various corporate/divisional supply chain initiatives.
Worked with Gap Inc. cross-functional business partners to launch provider store scan improving store inventory integrity and end-to-end supply chain visibility.

4. OSHA

Here's how transportation managers use osha:

Established procedures to ensure proper recording and accountability of vehicular and personal injury accident in accordance with OSHA and DOT regulations.
Enforced corporate health and safety policies including departmental OSHA compliance and environmental management significant aspects.

5. Customer Satisfaction

Here's how transportation managers use customer satisfaction:

Participate in the development and implementation of service & productivity improvement initiatives to increase customer satisfaction & reduce operating expense.
Assessed department need and restructured procedures to improve overall operational effectiveness and a40% increase in customer satisfaction.

6. On-Time Delivery

On-Time Delivery, or OTD, is a metric that measures the rate at which finished goods and deliveries are completed on time. This rate is measured by the overall number of units shipped within a specified time frame agreed upon by the consumer and supplier. On-Time Delivery allows suppliers' compliance with delivery deadlines, and hence their consistency, to be assessed using a continuous and collaborative development approach.

Here's how transportation managers use on-time delivery:

Developed/sustained strategic carrier relationships, implemented carrier performance and quality management strategy, and achieved/sustained 99% on-time delivery ratio.
Communicated and directed multiple carriers regarding inbound and outbound shipments to insure on-time delivery to stores.

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7. CDL

Here's how transportation managers use cdl:

Managed fifteen (15) Class A CDL drivers, 12 tractor/trailers, while maintaining over 41 routes per week.
Ensured that drivers maintained a professional and clean vehicle as well as monitoring that all drivers possessed CDL licenses.

8. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how transportation managers use safety procedures:

Conducted investigations in cooperation with insurance agencies to determine causes of transportation accidents and to improve safety procedures.
Developed work schedule and assign drivers responsibilities while spearheading and implementing safety procedures.

9. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how transportation managers use continuous improvement:

Coordinated, planned and integrated SAP conversion while analyzing, measuring and providing solutions toward continuous improvement, including TMS integration.
Developed relationships with customers and solicited input to make continuous improvements in kitting and tool service using lean techniques.

10. Transportation Operations

Here's how transportation managers use transportation operations:

Managed Internal and 3rd-party Warehouses, selected transportation providers, and managed transportation operations for a corrugated box manufacturing facility.
Managed transportation operations, working with civilian companies to book buses for military members and coordinate alternate means of transportation.

11. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how transportation managers use payroll:

Optimized production with development of equipment management policies and new online program for transpiration management, invoicing, and payroll.
Revised, adjusted and budgeted payroll for 25 employees demonstrating accurate data analysis and accounting ability.

12. HR

HR stands for human resources and is used to describe the set of people who work for a company or an organization. HR responsibilities revolve around updating employee records and carrying out management processes like planning, recruitment, evaluation, and selection processes. HR is a key contributor to any company or organization's growth as they are in charge of hiring the right employees, processing payrolls, conducting disciplinary actions, etc.

Here's how transportation managers use hr:

Co-Managed with HR regarding employee recruitment, disciplinary actions, employment verification and resignations.
Administer HR policies including constructive discipline; develop and monitor individual action plans.

13. LTL

Less than truckload freight shipping also called LTL shipping is used for the transportation of goods or products that does not require a full truckload due to the smaller nature of the parcel. LTL shipments are usually arranged on pallets for smaller shipments and can range anywhere from 100 to 5,000 pounds.

Here's how transportation managers use ltl:

Established regular business volume awarding processes for LTL business.
Budget of 7 million, Managing at 3.9 % of Sales - Negotiating skills with LTL carriers and small package delivery.

14. Direct Reports

Here's how transportation managers use direct reports:

Direct reports include 1 Transportation Manager, 4 Transportation Supervisors, 1Transportation Analyst and Administrative Personnel.
Participated in hiring and termination decisions concerning direct reports.

15. Safety Rules

Principles or regulations that ensure the protection of people, objects, or the environment are called safety rules. These rules can be governing actions, devices, or procedures that help in minimizing the risks of loss, injury, or damage.

Here's how transportation managers use safety rules:

Enforced compliance of operations personnel with administrative policies, procedures, safety rules and government regulations.
Monitor operations to ensure compliance with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, and government regulations.

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What skills help Transportation Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What transportation manager skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Warren Beeler

Western Kentucky University

1. Communications or social skills, 2. a knowledge of logistics (tracking and traceability)

What type of skills will young transportation managers need?

Curt Macysyn

Executive Director, NSTA

Student transportation, in particular, requires candidates who are organized and can handle multiple priorities. In the post-pandemic period, a premium will be placed upon those who are able to operate well in a people-friendly environment. For new college graduates, recruitment in the student transportation field opens up right around graduation time, so for anyone looking to jump right into a position after they receive a degree in May, timing would be excellent.

Do you want to know more?

List of transportation manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a transportation manager resume and required skills for a transportation manager to have include:

Customer Service
DOT
Supply Chain
OSHA
Customer Satisfaction
On-Time Delivery
CDL
Safety Procedures
Continuous Improvement
Transportation Operations
Payroll
HR
LTL
Direct Reports
Safety Rules
ISO
Transportation Management System

Safety Regulations
Cost Reduction
Performance Reviews
Hazmat
Driver Logs
KPI
Outbound Shipments
Distribution Centers
Transportation Services
Equipment Maintenance
Cost Savings
Government Regulations
Inventory Control
WMS
Fleet Maintenance
RFP
Safety Audits

Contract Negotiations
Hazardous Materials
TL
GPS
Customer Complaints
Transportation Budget
CSA
Roadnet
Process Improvement
Transportation Costs
Safety Training
Administrative Policies
OTR
Disciplinary Actions
Customer Relations
AS400

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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