What does a Transportation Assistant do?

Transportation managers ensure shipments into or out of the organization or company where they work are quick, within budget, and safely handled. They oversee the transfer of equipment or personnel as operated by the organization. They are responsible for the development of department policies and procedures, and for personnel activities and schedules, and they oversee shipment coordination and routing.

Transportation managers might sometimes need to coordinate with outside service providers including messenger services, freight shippers, and transporters. They prepare the department’s budgets and schedules and ensure company shipping and safety procedures and protocols continue to run smoothly. They also ensure that all shipping documents are correctly prepared and filled out, and they research and correct problems that arrive throughout the work day. Transportation managers develop hands-on fluency with current laws about shipping and hauling, including the transportation of hazardous materials, freight classification, and the safety of employees. They also direct teams about the maintenance and repair or replacement of shipping fleets and equipment, and the scheduling of daily routines. Transportation managers need a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or logistics.

What responsibilities are common for Transportation Assistant jobs?
  • Ensure compliance with all safety, hazmat and DOT requirements.
  • Effectively and efficiently handle customer service complaints and concerns.
  • Fill out appropriate log(s), forms and paperwork, as required.
  • Control the movement of contractor personnel, materials and equipment.
  • Responsible for planning of driver vacations, future books offs and run change assignment.
  • Report and investigate all accidents by assigned transportation officers.
  • Ensure sound cash control and maintain GLI field accounting standards.
  • Review weekly performance reports, and achieve quarterly performance quotas.
  • Accurately document all field observations and ensure file maintenance.
  • Investigate and resolve issues submitted by customers, carriers and/or clients. provide follow-up and reporting as required.
  • Lift objects of various shapes, sizes and weights up to 25 lbs.
  • Review daily reports to ensure productivity by all operators.
  • Ensure preventive maintenance on trucks is performed on a timely basis.
  • Contact parents concerning discipline matters and conduct parent conferences as needed.
  • Maintain punctuality in daily work times, appointments, and meetings.
  • Promptly solve problems to the maximum satisfaction of our customer(s).
  • Drive carrier and forwarder performance and implementations at shipping sites.
What are the typical qualifications for Transportation Assistant jobs?
  • Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business, civil engineering, computer science or engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • A professional and leader at all times.
  • Sound collaboration capabilities and attention to details.
  • Comfortable leading during negotiation, selecting, budget planning, inventorying, and loading exercises.
  • A critical thinker with an eye for continuous improvement.
  • Comfortable with network architecture and backup and recovery.
  • Demonstrated problem solving and decision making skills.
  • Experience with Google and C software and systems.
EducationBachelor's Degree
Work/Life Balance
3.2 ★
Total Pay--
Career Opportunity
3.5 ★
Avg. Experience2-4 years

How much does a Transportation Assistant make near United States?

Confident
$48,793 /yr
Total Pay
$46,541
 /yr

Base Pay

+
$2,252
 /yr

Additional Pay

$48,793

 / yr
$34K$71K
Most Likely Range
Possible Range
See More Insights

Transportation Assistant Career Path

Learn how to become a Transportation Assistant, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.

Assistant Transportation Manager
$74,078/yr
Senior Transportation Manager
$106,202/yr
Transportation Assistant

Years of Experience Distribution

0 - 1
13%
2 - 4
74%
5 - 7
9%
8+
4%
Not including years spent in education and/or training

Transportation Assistant Insights

Read what Transportation Assistant professionals have to say about their job experiences and view top companies for this career.
Watco CompaniesWatco Companies
Transportation Assistant
Oct 4, 2022

“Pay is not the best and "bonuses" basically don't exist even though it was said to have them.”

Schwan'sSchwan's
Route Manager
May 24, 2022

“The people I worked with and my customers were really great people and a lot of fun to work with.”

ChewyChewy
Regional Transportation Manager
Jun 29, 2022

“I think we have a great culture and would do well to pave our own way.”

USA JobsUSA Jobs
Transportation Assistant
Feb 22, 2022

“Pay is not terrible but could be much better for all the work that is required”

Messer AmericasMesser Americas
Transportation Supervisor
Aug 30, 2022

“Management is not consistent & when you do a good job it’s expected not appreciated.”

ArqivaArqiva
Technology & Transportation
Jan 31, 2022

“The pay is terrible but I joined just prior to the pandemic so was was grateful for a job.”

UberUber
Transportation
Nov 12, 2021

“The freedom is nice but you don't even want to know how much they take from you.”

Molly Maid (Canada)Molly Maid (Canada)
Route Manager
Oct 18, 2023

“When I brought that up to the manager the same day the manager laughed and all that was said was "The characters in the world".”

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Transportation Assistant Interviews

Frequently asked questions about the roles and responsibilities of a Transportation Assistant

When working as a Transportation Assistant, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are MS OUTLOOK, Bachelors Degree English, Attention To Detail, Ability to Multitask, and Excellent Customer Service.

The most similar professions to Transportation Assistant are:
  • Logistics Manager
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Logistics Associate

The most common qualifications to become a Transportation Assistant include a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 years of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.

Related Careers

Logistics Manager
$78,873
No skills overlap
Logistics Analyst
$72,255
No skills overlap
Logistics Coordinator
$56,642
25% skills overlap
Logistics Associate
$45,117
No skills overlap

Transportation Assistant Jobs