Transportation Administrator Job Description
This Transportation Administrator job description outlines daily duties, key skills, entry routes, CV tips and progression roles in logistics.
Considering a career as a Transportation Administrator? This role is a vital support position within transport and logistics operations, ensuring that documentation, bookings, driver records, and customer communications are accurate, compliant, and on time. Here, we’ll cover what a Transportation Administrator does day-to-day, how to become one, what to put on your CV, and the related roles you could progress into across logistics and supply chain.
What Is a Transportation Administrator?
A Transportation Administrator provides administrative and coordination support to the transport function so vehicles, drivers, and loads can move efficiently and compliantly. You’ll handle scheduling paperwork, create job packs, manage booking slots, and maintain accurate records across transport management systems (TMS), spreadsheets, and customer portals. The aim is to keep information flowing smoothly between drivers, planners, warehouse teams, customers, and external partners.
Day-to-day, you’ll prepare delivery notes, manifests (an important document showing what’s loaded onto the vehicle), and labels; check predeparture documentation; and upload PODs (proofs of delivery) after routes complete. You’ll book delivery or collection slots with customers and regional distribution centres (RDCs), track live progress using TMS or telematics, and update stakeholders on ETAs or exceptions. You may support customer billing by reconciling jobs, charges, and surcharges, and help planners by entering orders, checking data accuracy, and flagging constraints.
Compliance administration is central to the role. You’ll help maintain driver hours and tachograph records, log vehicle defects and service dates, and ensure all required documents are stored correctly for audit. You’ll also support health and safety tasks such as collating incident reports, issuing ‘toolbox talk’ materials such as safety training documents, and tracking training or licence expiries.
Transportation Administrators work in fastmoving environments where accuracy and communication matter. If you enjoy organisation, working with data, and supporting colleagues to keep operations on track, this role offers strong career stability and clear progression.
How to Become a Transportation Administrator?
To become a Transportation Administrator, many people move into the role from warehouse administration, dispatch, customer service, or general office support positions. Experience in logistics is helpful but not always essential. Building skills in data accuracy, Excel, scheduling systems, and communication will strengthen your prospects. Over time, exposure to TMS platforms, transport compliance, and driver documentation can support progression into coordinator or planning roles.
What to Put on a Transportation Administrator CV
A strong Transportation Administrator CV should highlight your organisational skills, attention to detail, and ability to support transport operations. Include skills such as transport documentation, TMS systems, booking and scheduling, data entry, POD handling, and compliance administration. Show examples of how you’ve improved data accuracy, reduced admin backlogs, supported on‑time deliveries, or helped keep transport records audit‑ready in fast‑paced environments.
Similar Jobs to Transportation Administrator
Transportation Administrators develop versatile skills that apply across transport, warehousing, and customer operations. If you’re exploring alternatives or mapping your next step, some roles you might want to consider include Transport Coordinator, Transport Planner, or Transport Supervisor. Each role requires a strong understanding of fleet management, logistics, and compliance within transport, with varying degrees of responsibility.
Other Jobs in Logistics and Supply Chain
Whether you’re looking to grow your skillset or explore career progression pathways, logistics and the supply chain offer a variety of related roles to Transport Administrator. Some roles to consider when planning your next career move include Transport Operator, Supply Chain Coordinator, or even working your way up to a Supply Chain Leader. With experience and exposure to planning/compliance, progression routes include Transport Planner, Transport Supervisor, Fleet Coordinator, or Logistics Coordinator. These roles exist across retail, ecommerce, FMCG, manufacturing, third party logistics providers (3PLs), and parcel networks. These roles provide good mobility and long-term career prospects for anyone with experience in logistics and supply chain management looking to gain more responsibility and leadership experience.
Apply for Transportation Administrator Jobs Near You
Transportation Administrator roles are widely available across the UK in depots, distribution centres, cross dock hubs, and manufacturing sites. Employers range from national retailers and wholesalers to parcel carriers and 3PLs. Whether you prefer day shifts, rotating shifts, or 24/7 operations, there are opportunities to match your schedule and career goals. Some top locations hiring Transportation Administrators regularly include key manufacturing and transportation hubs such as Glasgow, Bristol, Stoke-on-Trent, and Coventry.
Transportation Administrator Job Description FAQ
Is a Transportation Administrator a Good Career Choice?
Yes, a Transportation Administrator role is a good career choice as it offers stable employment, consistent demand, and a clear pathway into transport planning, coordination, or supervisory roles. It’s ideal if you enjoy structured work, accuracy, and supporting fast paced operations.
What Skills Does a Transportation Administrator Need?
Core skills include strong attention to detail, accurate data handling, and confidence using IT systems such as TMS, spreadsheets, and online portals. Clear communication with drivers, customers, and internal teams is essential. Time management, problem solving, and a solid understanding of transport basics, including driver hours, vehicle checks, and POD processes, are also valuable.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Transportation Administrator?
Common challenges include lastminute order changes, tight booking windows, chasing missing PODs, and resolving data discrepancies that can delay invoicing or customer updates. Staying organised, communicating proactively, and maintaining clean data are crucial to success.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Transportation Administrator?
Great Transportation Administrators are methodical, reliable, and calm under pressure. They take ownership of details, communicate clearly, and build strong working relationships with drivers, planners, and warehouse teams. A continuous improvement mindset, spotting paperwork bottlenecks or data issues and fixing the process, is a big plus.
