Transportation supervisors are responsible for ensuring that people and goods arrive at their destinations on time. Depending on the mode of transportation a company or entity uses to distribute goods or move passengers, this job can be done in a variety of ways. Employees who focus on transportation as well as those who focus on schedules and documentation can work as transportation supervisors. In most cases, a supervisor in this position will combine tracking, planning, and training as it pertains to her industry.
A transportation supervisor in the trucking industry is primarily responsible for the scheduling of trucks and drivers, as well as equipment maintenance and safety regulations. Many transportation supervisor jobs also entail supervising others, such as drivers, assistants, and dispatchers. This type of trucking supervisor will most likely be in charge of maintaining customer relationships, performing employee performance reviews, and communicating and documenting safety information.
In the bus industry, transportation supervisor jobs are also required. This supervisor will be in charge of scheduling and monitoring bus routes and drivers. Some transportation managers work for charter companies that provide buses for personal sightseeing trips, while others supervise daily bus routes and scheduled field trips for a school district. In some cases, a transportation supervisor of this type will be in charge of managing a depot or station location, as well as managing employees. She will also be responsible for overseeing and following prescribed procedures to ensure the safety of passengers.
A transportation supervisor in the airline industry is typically a worker who focuses on ground duties rather than in-flight work. This is one of the transportation supervisor jobs that requires an employee to deal with tight deadlines as well as a wide range of goods and people. Transportation supervisor jobs in the airline industry sometimes focus on crew and staff training and safety inspections. A transportation supervisor at an airport, on the other hand, may be in charge of departments that handle equipment, vehicles, and baggage.
Supervisory positions are also critical in the train transportation industry. Employee and train schedules are typically managed by a train supervisor. The train industry places a premium on on-time arrivals and departures, so the transportation supervisor will most likely be working under time constraints and making quick decisions. She will typically train and evaluate operations and dispatch staff, and she will be required to monitor train movements using radios and other communication equipment.
Most transportation supervisor jobs necessitate the use of a variety of communication devices, such as radios, phones, and computers. Additional operating systems that apply to specific companies or industries will be required of some transportation supervisors. These managers spend their work days focusing on a variety of activities, including emergency calls and scheduling revisions, and most work under pressure due to the transportation industry’s heavy reliance on time schedules.