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Transport Administrator

Transport company managers oversee transport businesses that operate a fleet of vehicles to transport goods or passengers. They are responsible for scheduling transport and freight delivery times, allocating resources, organising vehicle maintenance and repairs, and developing a relationship with customers. Decline

Transport company managers may operate freight and logistics companies, courier services, bus or coach charter companies or car rental agencies.

ANZSCO ID & Description: 149413: Organises and controls the operations of an enterprise that operates a fleet of vehicles to transport goods and passengers. Registration or licensing may be required.

Alternative names: Transport Manager

Specialisations: Bus Company Manager, Car Rental Agency Manager,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

A transport company manager needs:

good organisational and time management skills
strong communication and interpersonal skills
high attention to detail
budget and financial management skills
the ability to think logically
the ability to work flexibly and to make decisions quickly
problem solving abilities
to be able to work under pressure
the ability to deal with people at all levels
to be committed to occupational health and safety standards.

Transport Company Manager at work
(Source: Logistics Support Services)

Duties and Tasks

As a transport manager, you would:

work with suppliers and customers, planning routes and scheduling delivery times
plan for the most time efficient and cost-effective method of delivery
manage the scheduling of a fleet of specialist trucks or vehicles
schedule rail freight despatches
manage a team of supervisors, administration staff and vehicle drivers
coach and mentor staff to develop a culture of high performance
monitor and manage performance metrics such as cost per km and labour costs
make sure the operation meets its financial and operational targets
arrange payments for vehicle maintenance, registrations and taxes
manage contracts and develop new business
make sure all operations comply with health and safety requirements.

Working Conditions

Transport company managers will spend some of their time based in an office, maintaining business records and preparing operational statements and reports. They will also spend time on the floor, in a transport facility or warehouse, reviewing operations and quality control procedures, managing staff, inspecting vehicles and resolving potential problems.

You would normally work a standard number of hours per week, but this may include shiftwork and weekends to cover 24-hour operations. You would usually work in an office in a transport depot. You may need to travel to clients' offices or premises.

Tools and technologies

Transport company managers may use computers to develop transportation schedules, take orders and bookings, and to keep accurate freight records. They may also use GPS navigation systems or GPRS to monitor staff and deliveries. They will also liaise with customers and clients, either face to face or over the phone, to work out their requirements.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a transport company manager you usually need to complete a formal qualification in logistics or logistics and supply chain management. The Diploma of Logistics is offered at TAFE Colleges and other registered training organisations throughout Australia.

You can also complete a degree majoring in logistics and supply chain management.

Many transport company managers will generally have worked for a number of years in more junior positions before progressing to a manager role. You may also be required to complete further studies in management.

Employment Opportunities

Employment of transport managers is projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations.

Companies rely on transport managers to manage the movement of their products and supplies. Supply and distribution systems have become increasingly complex, with the aim of maximising efficiency while minimising cost. Therefore, employment is expected to grow rapidly as companies need more transport managers to move products efficiently.

Did You Know?

TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS INDUSTRY OVERVIEW

The Transport and Logistics industry in Australia has an estimated annual revenue of $96.65 billion,
adding $39.95 billion to the Australian economy in 2017. The industry employs nearly half a million
people across its major subsectors: road transport, logistics, warehousing and stevedoring.

KEY TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS METRICS
Revenue ($b) 96.65
Profit ($b) 10.41
Average Wage ($) 66,712.44
No of Businesses 84,635
Employment Growth to 2023 (%) 3.3

Scope: Courier Pick-up and Delivery Services, Customs Agency Services,
General Warehousing and Cold Storage, Grain Storage, Long Distance
Bus Transport, Port Operators, Postal Services, Rail, Air and Sea Freight
Forwarding, Removalists, Road Freight Forwarding, Road Freight Transport,
Scenic and Sightseeing Transport, Stevedoring Services, Taxi and Limousine
Transport, Urban Bus and Tramway Transport

KEY TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS FACTS

48,747 registered businesses in the road freight transport ranging from single truck operators to large
multi-national corporations

30 per cent of domestic freight task carried by road equating to 726 billion tonne-km1
$53 billion per year by 2031 – estimated cost of congestion on transport infrastructure2
8.8 per cent increase in volume and 8.2 per cent increase in spending on parcels by 20183

1 National Transport Commission (2016) What moves what where: Freight and passenger transport in Australia. Melbourne, VIC.
2 Infrastructure Australia (2015) Australian Infrastructure Audit: Our infrastructure challenges, executive summary.
3 Pitney Bowes (2017) Parcel Shipping Index Forecasts.

Transport administrators plan, organise and control the operational activities of road, rail, air and water transport. The transport administrator's role is becoming increasingly specialised and sophisticated. Future Growth Static

Transport administrators need a thorough understanding of the transport industry and knowledge of how the four principal types of transport interact. These are:

Road Transport which comprises passenger (bus, coach, taxi) transport provided by government agencies and private companies; goods transport provided by general carriers such as courier, taxi, truck and heavy haulage services; and the operations of large commercial enterprises that have delivery vehicles such as bakeries and food processors.
Rail Transport which comprises passenger transport in the metropolitan area, as well as passenger and goods transport provided in regional areas and interstate.
Air Transport which comprises passenger and goods transport provided by private, domestic and overseas airlines.
Sea Transport which comprises passenger and goods transport provided by local and overseas shipping companies.

ANZSCO ID: 591212

Alternative names: Transport Coordinator,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Good managerial and organisational skills
Able to work under pressure
The ability to work well in a fast paced, team environment
Good communication skills
Sense of urgency
Data Entry experience
Excellent computer skills including advanced Excel and data entry
Strong knowledge of area

Transport Administrator
(Source: Drivers)

Duties and Tasks

Transport administrators may perform the following tasks:

Coordinate transport and related staff
Devise or approve methods and procedures for operating freight and passenger services, time schedules and routes
Review passenger and freight rate structures (where these are not controlled by government agencies and transport associations)
Help develop transport operating policies
Planning runs for a high volume of drivers
Calling customers to coordinate delivery times
Responding to email and phone enquiries from customers
Liaising with office and transport staff and Drivers
Invoice validations
Run sheet validations
Handling any customer complaints and processing the urgent ones to the Senior Management

Within a Despatch office environment, the duties are but not limited to:

RF Scanning
Stock management
Data entry, scanning, filing & uploading
Liaising with truck drivers & clients
Generating and distributing load sheets & con-notes
Troubleshooting & general administration
Adherence to all OH&S policies and guidelines
Transport scheduling, manifests & invoices
Regular overtime to complete load out

Working conditions

Normally in the office five days a week but sometimes with the drivers of the fleet. The starts can be early eg. 5am but finish at 2pm. Shift work is sometimes involved.

Tools and technologies

Transport administrators need strong skills in Microsoft Excel and use the computer to schedule drivers and routes.

Education and training/entrance requirements

To become a transport administrator you usually have to complete a traineeship in Logistics. Entry requirements may vary, but employers generally require Year 10.

You can also become a transport administrator through a VOC qualification in logistics or purchasing. As subjects and prerequisites can vary between institutions, you should contact your chosen institution for further information. You may be able to study through distance education.

Entry to this occupation may be improved if you have a business or commerce degree with a major in logistics, supply chain management or a related field. To get into these courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English and mathematics are normally required.

A number of universities in Australia offer relevant degrees. Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements or offer external study.

Employment Opportunities

Transport administrators are employed by major airlines, shipping companies, import and export firms, public transport authorities, large road transport firms, freight forwarders, courier services, and bus and coach operators. They may also work in consulting firms concerned with transport logistics or warehousing studies.

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