Business and industrial firms employ traffic managers, also known as industrial traffic managers, to decide how to transport their products. In large companies traffic managers may be part of a logistics or physical distribution department. Traffic managers arrange for the movement of raw materials into their company's plants and for the transportation of finished products to the markets where the goods are sold. It is the job of industrial traffic managers to investigate the different transportation possibilities and decide on the most inexpensive and efficient way of moving goods. Industrial traffic managers choose a route and a carrier. Carriers are railroads, trucking companies, and shipping and air freight firms. Traffic managers have become more efficient with the use of computers. Complicated calculations of distance and rates can now be done quickly and accurately, and computer programs can be used to determine the most cost effective way of transporting goods.
Industrial traffic managers must be familiar with their company's products. They must consider the size and weight of the shipment, the safety factors involved in the transport, time schedules, and the advantages and disadvantages of the different ways of shipping goods. Sometimes industrial traffic managers have to choose the containers and packages used in the shipping process.
If delays in shipping occur, the industrial traffic manager must determine the reasons for the delay and arrange with the carrier company for faster service. When goods are lost or damaged in transit, the industrial traffic manager handles the claims and makes the necessary arrangements with the customer or the carrier. Traffic managers keep records of freight rates and shipments. The widespread use of computers in areas such as inventory control and billing often makes it necessary for industrial traffic managers to be familiar with computer programming methods. Some industrial traffic managers are responsible for approving bills, clearing shipments through customs, and leasing warehouse facilities for shipments. In large firms industrial traffic managers often have assistants who do routine tasks for them.
Some aspects of transportation are controlled by federal, state, and local regulations. Industrial traffic managers must be aware of the regulations pertaining to their shipments. Some qualified traffic managers argue cases for their company before the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) or other regulatory agencies.
Traffic managers work closely with the people in the production, purchasing, marketing, and legal departments of their firm. They confer with these different departments on matters such as importing raw materials inexpensively, planning shipping schedules, and purchasing goods. Sometimes they give advice on where to build warehouses and plants.
Every aspect of business and industry is influenced by the cost and efficiency of its transportation. Industrial traffic managers can help companies turn transportation savings into profits.
Education and Training
Employers prefer to hire college graduates with a degree in traffic management, logistics, or physical distribution. However, many people still become traffic managers with a bachelor's degree and courses in transportation, economics, management, marketing, and business law. Computer training is also valuable because computers are now being used to solve some of the problems of transportation. Although advanced degrees are not required, many traffic managers go on to earn master's degrees.
Traffic managers usually begin their careers as clerks or tracers in shipping rooms and traffic offices. Once the trainees have experience, they move into more technical positions. These include jobs such as rate analyst, rate supervisor, senior rate clerk, and freight claims supervisor. All of these positions can be steps in the process of becoming assistant traffic manager and, eventually, traffic manager.
Getting the Job
If you are interested in traffic management, you can apply for a job in the ship ping department or traffic department of a large company. You should apply directly to companies for which you would like to work. The school placement office may be able to help you find openings in traffic management.
Employment Outlook
Traffic managers have already achieved good positions in their companies, but they can advance further by working for larger companies or by specializing in one phase of traffic management. Advancement is usually based on experience and ability. However, education is becoming increasingly important. Chances for promotion to high level jobs are better for those with advanced degrees and for those who participate in special studies related to the field.
The American Society of Traffic and Transportation sets forth some professional standards of traffic management. To qualify for membership, a traffic manager must have work experience and pass a test in all aspects of traffic management. Membership in the society is a mark of achievement and may aid advancement.
The employment outlook for industrial traffic managers is good through the year 2006. Many large companies are separating their shipping and receiving activities into different departments. Therefore, more traffic management personnel and department heads will be needed. Employers will be selective because there will be a greater demand for expert traffic managers to develop and use new ways of bringing raw materials and distributing finished products to larger and more distant markets.
Working Conditions
Many industrial traffic managers work 35 to 40 hours a week. However, some times they have to spend extra hours writing reports, traveling to branch offices, and going to meetings. On occasion they may have to represent their companies in arguing a case before a state or federal regulatory agency.
Working conditions vary with the job and the company. Many industrial traffic managers have comfortable offices and visit the factory often for consultation purposes.
Earnings and Benefits
Salaries vary, depending on the size and type of company that traffic managers work for, the positions they hold, the number of sales the company makes, and its transportation costs. The average salary for those with a bachelor's degree is $45,000 a year; for those with a master's degree it is $50,000 a year. Benefits generally include health and life insurance, paid vacations, and pension plans.
