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Traffic Manager

Traffic managers direct and coordinate the transportation of incoming materials from suppliers or raw material sources, and outgoing 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 Dec 16, 2016

Duties and responsibilities may vary from one position to another but, 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), 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 transportation policy and write procedures
  • evaluate locations for new warehouses and distribution networks
  • evaluate freight costs and the inventory costs associated with transit times.

In smaller organizations, traffic managers also may:

  • personally monitor shipments
  • scan products as they come into and go out of the plant
  • co-ordinate 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 safe standards and acceptable levels of cleanliness.
Working Conditions
Updated Dec 16, 2016
  • Strength Required Lift up to 5 kg

Traffic managers usually work in an office environment and occasionally in a warehouse. Depending on the size and nature of the organization, they may have to do some travelling. In large organizations, they may be required to work shifts because goods must be shipped seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

It is not unusual for traffic managers to work overtime, often under pressure. Regardless of weather conditions or mechanical breakdowns, they must make sure 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 Dec 16, 2016

Traffic managers need the following characteristics:

  • the ability to analyze information
  • strong decision making skills
  • sound business judgement
  • a good memory for details
  • the ability to work quickly and accurately with figures
  • good verbal and written communication skills
  • creative problem solving skills.

They should enjoy coordinating information and directing the work of others, taking a methodical approach to monitoring and planning operations, and 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 101 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between May 20, 2022 and Apr 19, 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: Monitor company's or department's performance, prepare reports for senior management, and plan for changes to schedules and policies
Tasks: Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate daily operations
Tasks: Establish and implement policies and standards for the transportation and storage of goods
Tasks: Oversee the scheduling and dispatching of vehicles and goods
Tasks: Ensure transport compliance with regulations
Tasks: Recruit, train and supervise staff
Tasks: Oversee the setting of transportation service rates and monitor revenue
Tasks: Arrange for shipping documentation and the tracking and tracing of goods in transit
Attention to detail
Tasks: Negotiate for services and preferential rates
Educational Requirements
Updated Dec 16, 2016
  • Minimum Education Varies

There is no standard education requirement for traffic managers. However, employers generally prefer to hire job applicants who have related work experience and post-secondary education related to commerce or business administration. Strong computer skills are essential.


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 Massage Therapy Calgary
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 search for programs related to this occupation, visit Post-Secondary Programs.

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 offers a designation in supply chain and transportation logistics to applicants who have successfully completed ten academic courses and five 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 Dec 16, 2016
  • Certification Not Regulated

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

Employment & Advancement
Updated Dec 16, 2016

Traffic managers are employed by:

  • 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 who have 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.

In the 0731: Managers in transportation occupational group, 78.8% of people work in:

Employment Outlook

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, the 0731: Managers in transportation occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2019 to 2023. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 78 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Note
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 example, only some of the new positions to be created will be for this occupation. It also applies to other data for the NOC group such as number of people employed.

Source: 2019-2023 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

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 Dec 16, 2016

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

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 Dec 16, 2016

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

The Logistics Institute website: www.loginstitute.ca

Supply Chain Management Assocation website: www.scmanational.ca

 

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

Updated Mar 29, 2015. 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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