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Traffic Manager

Traffic managers direct and coordinate the transportation of incoming and outgoing traffic. Incoming traffic delivers materials from suppliers and outgoing traffic takes finished products to distribution houses and customers.

Also Known As

Fleet Manager, Logistics Consultant, Supply Chain Analyst, Transportation Manager

NOC Codes

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used.

Here is how this occupation has been classified over time.

2006 NOC

  • 0713.1: Transportation Managers, Operations

2006 NOC-S

  • A373: Transportation Managers

2011 NOC

  • 0731: Managers in transportation

2016 NOC

  • 0731: Managers in transportation

2021 NOC

  • 70020: Managers in transportation

2023 OaSIS

  • 70020.01: Transportation managers, operations
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Duties and responsibilities may vary from one position to another. In general, traffic managers:

  • Manage transportation costs and provide the transportation service levels required to meet company objectives
  • Schedule the dispatching of goods and track goods in transit or supervise others who perform these tasks
  • Prepare and control transportation budgets
  • Negotiate with various carriers (air, water, rail, road, or pipeline) and maintain their own private fleet, or a combination of both
  • Develop systems for operations analysis
  • Train employees and administer safety programs
  • Supervise specialists such as rate clerks and claims supervisors
  • Develop and write transportation policies and procedures
  • Evaluate locations for new warehouses and distribution networks
  • Evaluate freight and inventory costs associated with transit times

In smaller organizations, traffic managers also may:

  • Personally monitor shipments
  • Scan products as they come into and leave the plant
  • Coordinate deliveries
  • Issue shipping instructions
  • Provide routing information
  • Trace and expedite shipments
  • Do customs work and satisfy trade requirements
  • Advise sales and billing departments of transportation charges for customers’ accounts
  • Lease or buy new equipment
  • Arrange for storage facilities when required
  • Maintain a vehicle fleet to meet standards for safety and cleanliness
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Traffic managers usually work in an office environment. They may sometimes work in a warehouse. Depending on the size and nature of the organization, they may have to do some travelling. In large organizations, where goods are shipped 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, they may work shifts.

It is not unusual for traffic managers to work overtime, often under pressure. Regardless of weather conditions or mechanical breakdowns, they must ensure that shipments reach customers on time and in good condition.

Interests & Abilities

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2006 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Transportation Managers, Operations

2006 NOC: 0713.1

Interest Codes

Interest Codes for This NOC Group
DIRECTIVE

Interest in co-ordinating information to direct, control and evaluate the operations of transportation companies, and to determine safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods; and in overseeing dispatch of vehicles, vessels or aircraft and in recruiting personnel and overseeing their training

METHODICAL

Interest in monitoring company and departmental performance, in planning changes to schedules and policies and in ensuring that company procedures comply with transport regulations

social

Interest in negotiating with personnel and senior management to change schedules and policies

Your Interest Codes

To identify or change your interest codes, complete the Interests Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide

The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation. 

It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective, and Social.

Each set of 3 interest codes for this NOC group is listed in order of importance.

A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.

A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.

Learn About Interests

Abilities

Typical ability expectations for this NOC group
Your abilities

To fill in or change the values for your abilities, complete the Abilities Exercise in CAREERinsite.

Mental Abilities

General Learning Ability

Verbal Ability

Numerical Ability

Visual Abilities

Spatial Perception

Form Perception

Clerical Perception

Physical Abilities

Motor Coordination

Finger Dexterity

Manual Dexterity

Understanding Abilities

A Quick Guide

You are born with abilities that help you process certain types of information and turn it into action. These abilities influence which skills you can learn more easily.

The abilities or aptitudes shown for this NOC group come from the General Aptitude Test Battery (GATB). The GATB measures 9 aptitudes. It groups them into 3 categories: mental, visual, and physical.

The abilities scores range from 1 to 5, with 5 being stronger.

Learn About Abilities

Traits & Skills
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Traffic managers need:

  • Analytical skills
  • Decision-making skills
  • Judgment skills
  • Memorization skills
  • The ability to work quickly and accurately with numbers
  • Communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Problem-solving skills

They should enjoy:

  • Coordinating information
  • Directing the work of others
  • Taking a methodical approach to monitoring and planning operations
  • Negotiating with service providers, workers, and other managers

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Top 10 Skills Employers Are Looking For

Managers in transportation

2016 NOC: 0731

This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 145 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 20, 2022 and Nov 21, 2024.

Review these skills to learn:

  • Whether or not this occupation matches your skill set
  • What training you may need to get these skills
  • What skills to highlight in your resumé, cover letter, and interview.
Tasks: Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations
Tasks: Oversee the scheduling and dispatching of vehicles and goods
Tasks: Establish and implement policies and standards for the transportation and storage of goods
Tasks: Ensure transport compliance with regulations
Tasks: Arrange for shipping documentation and the tracking and tracing of goods in transit
Tasks: Oversee the setting of transportation service rates and monitor revenue
Tasks: Monitor company's or department's performance, prepare reports for senior management, and plan for changes to schedules and policies
Attention to detail
Tasks: Negotiate for services and preferential rates
Tasks: Manage finances or budget
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Minimum Education Varies

There is no standard education requirement for traffic managers. However, employers generally hire applicants with:

  • Related work experience
  • Post-secondary education related to commerce or business administration
  • Strong computer skills

Related Education

The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.

CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary North
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Calgary South
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton City Centre
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton North
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton South
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Edmonton West
CDI College of Business, Technology and Health Care - Red Deer
MCG Career College - Calgary
MCG Career College - Cold Lake
MCG Career College - Red Deer
Professional Institute of Management & Technology
Reeves College - Calgary City Centre
Reeves College - Calgary North
Reeves College - Calgary South
Reeves College - Edmonton
Reeves College - Edmonton North
Reeves College - Lloydminster
Reeves College Edmonton South
Robertson College - Calgary

To expand or narrow your program options, visit Post-Secondary Programs and start your search with:

Completing a program does not guarantee entrance into an occupation. Before enrolling in an education program, prospective students should look into various sources for education options and employment possibilities. For example, contact associations and employers in this field.

The Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT) offers a designation in supply chain and transportation logistics. It’s open to applicants who have successfully completed 10 academic courses and 5 years of work experience. The required courses may be taken by distance education. Classroom instruction is available for some courses.

The Logistics Institute offers a Professional Logistician (P.Log.) certification to applicants who have successfully completed a series of online modules.

Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2024
  • Certification Not Regulated

There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.

Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Traffic managers work for:

  • Transport companies (truck, rail, courier)
  • Raw material suppliers
  • Manufacturers
  • Chain stores or other large businesses that distribute large volumes of goods
  • Government departments and agencies

Those who have no previous training or related experience may start in supporting positions such as rate clerk, route clerk, dispatcher, shipper and receiver, or warehouse technician. Those with related post-secondary education may start in positions of greater responsibility.

Advancement opportunities depend on the size and nature of the organization and the individual’s performance and qualifications.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in transportation
2016 NOC: 0731

78.8% of people in this occupational group work in:

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the short-term demand forecasted for this occupation in Alberta over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in transportation
2021 NOC: 70020
Medium
Demand
1,900
Employed

Source: 2023-2025 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

  • Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
  • Location in Alberta
  • Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
  • Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
  • Size of the occupation
  • Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in transportation
2016 NOC: 0731
4.2%
Annual Growth
(Above Average)
77
New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Related Alberta Job Postings
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Salaries for traffic managers vary widely depending on the industry, the responsibilities of the position, and the individual’s background.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups. If there are multiple related NOC groups, select a NOC heading to learn about each one.

Managers in transportation

2016 NOC: 0731
Average Wage
$45.90
Per Hour
Average Salary
$95,962.00
Per Year
Average Hours
42
Per Week
Average Months on Payroll
12
Survey Methodology Survey Analysis

Source
2021 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey

NOC 0731 Wage Profile

Unless otherwise noted, the data shown here is for all industries and all regions in Alberta.

All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production), and other forms of compensation.

To see the full survey data for this NOC group, visit the wage profile.

Other wage sources
To make an informed wage and salary decision, research other wage sources [pdf] to supplement this data.

A: High Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition

High Reliability, represents a CV of less than or equal to 6.00% and 30 survey observations and/or represents 50% or more of all estimated employment for the occupation.


Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
  • Low
  • High
  • Average
  • Median
Starting
Overall
Top

Hourly Wage

For full-time and part-time employees
Wages* Low (5th percentile) High (95th percentile) Average Median
Starting $23.08 $72.12 $40.05 $36.06
Overall $24.04 $81.58 $45.90 $43.13
Top $24.52 $90.72 $51.08 $47.01

Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.

* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.

Pay brackets for hourly wages

  • Starting pay: average pay offered for entry-level positions
  • Overall pay: average pay across all employees in this occupation
  • Top pay: average pay offered to top-paid employees

Industry Information

ALL INDUSTRIES
Oil & Gas Extraction
Construction
Manufacturing
Transportation and Warehousing
Educational Services
Public Administration

Skills Shortage

Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
12%
12%)
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
25%
25%
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
0%
0%
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Related Post-Secondary Field of Study
  • Business, Management and Administrative Studies
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2024

Canadian Institute of Traffic and Transportation (CITT) website: www.citt.ca

The Logistics Institute website: loginstitute.ca

Supply Chain Canada website:  www.supplychaincanada.com

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.

Updated Mar 31, 2024. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.

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