70020 – Managers in transportation

Lead statement

Managers in transportation operations plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of transportation companies such as railways, airlines, bus lines, municipal transit systems, shipping lines and trucking companies, under the direction of a general manager or another senior manager.

Main duties

• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of a transportation company
• Set operations policies and standards, including determination of safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods, and ensure compliance with transport regulations
• Oversee the dispatch, maintenance and service of vehicles, vessels or aircraft
• Control the company or departmental budget, including acquisitions
• Monitor company's or department's performance, prepare reports for senior management, and plan for changes to schedules and policies
• Recruit personnel and oversee their training.
• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operation of or department responsible for co-ordinating, arranging and monitoring the transportation and movement of goods
• Arrange shipping documentation and oversee the schedule, dispatch and tracking of goods
• Set transportation service rates and performance indicators
• Develop plans and procedures for the transportation and storage of goods
• Negotiate with carriers, warehouse operators and insurance company representatives for services and preferential rates
• Control the departmental budget

Employment requirements

• A bachelor's degree in business administration or engineering is usually required.
• Several years of experience in transportation operations are usually required, including supervisory experience.
• Extensive experience as a supervisor and operator in a particular transport mode, such as a pilot, train engineer, vessel master or truck driver, may substitute for formal education.
• Certification as an operator of a particular mode of transportation, such as commercial pilot, vessel master or truck driver, is usually required.
• Completion of secondary school is required.
• A college diploma or university degree in business or transportation administration may be required.
• Several years of clerical, operational or administrative experience related to freight traffic are required.

Example job titles

director of operations - transportation · director of transportation · transportation director · transportation manager · logistics operations director · shore captain - water transport · flight schedulers manager · freight traffic manager · traffic and transportation assistant manager · transportation and traffic manager · distribution and warehousing manager

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.