Employers

Approximately 131,300 transportation, storage, and distribution managers are employed in the United States. Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks hold about 662,600 jobs. Industrial traffic managers work for all kinds of companies that oversee the transportation of their goods and materials. Traffic agents work for companies that specialize in transportation.

Starting Out

Entry-level shipping and receiving positions generally do not require a high degree of educational achievement. Many positions are open to high school graduates, particularly in smaller companies. Management positions, however, are increasingly being filled by graduates of two-year and four-year college programs. Therefore, one of the best ways to find an entry-level position as an industrial traffic manager is to work with the career services office of the community or technical college at which you studied.

Many paths for advancement exist in this field. For example, someone entering the field as a rate and claims clerk might eventually be promoted to a position as a rate analyst. A routing clerk could be promoted to terminal cargo manager, and a company representative could advance to the position of traffic manager.

Find a part-time job with a moving or transportation company and observe what traffic managers do.

Volunteer to organize the logistics at a soup kitchen, food pantry, or for a school food drive. Handling the receiving, transportation, and distribution of these goods will provide relevant experience.

Contact a local moving or delivery company to interview its employees and learn about the business.