I Want to Work In … Transport and Logistics

PROFILE: Logistics/Distribution Manager

INVOLVES: Managing all the processes that make up the supply chain from the raw material to where the end product is used - providing the right product, in the right quantity, at the right time. Coordinating the supply, distribution & storage of goods. Managing transport & distribution centres including drivers & warehouse staff. Using complex computer systems to control the flow of goods & to gather information. Managing inventories. Handling materials.
EMPLOYERS: retailers (e.g. Tesco), manufacturing companies e.g. (Ford), the Armed forces, Specialist logistics companies.
RELATED JOBS: purchasing manager, transport manager, production manager, systems analyst
SATISFACTIONS: Using a logical approach to solve business problems. Using organisational & planning skills to develop an efficient business. Very much like running your own business - you have total responsibility for your operation.
NEGATIVES: Long hours. Mobility may be required. Lots of pressure.
SKILLS: written communication, analysing, organising, computing.
ADVANCEMENT: May start as a transport or warehouse manager after training. Can progress to depot or regional manager. Can also move into computer systems development.
DEGREE: Any degree subject. Business Studies is useful.
POSTGRADUATE STUDY: None needed.
VACANCY SOURCES: Careers Service vacancy database. Logistics Focus.
TIPS: Apply to graduate training schemes with larger companies using Careers Service directories.

PROFILE: Road Transport Manager

plans schedules and routes of drivers in passenger transport, road haulage, distribution and logistics. Works out most economical method of completing journeys. Makes sure operations comply with regulations on environmental laws, hours of drivers, safety of vehicles, food hygiene and customs requirements.
EMPLOYERS: logistics and distribution companies, bus and coach companies, parcel delivery firms, manufacturers and retail chains, contract fleets
SATISFACTIONS: not entirely office-based.
NEGATIVES: may involve shift work and work in bad weather.
SKILLS: organising, planning, decision-making, communication, computing, numeracy, flexibility, practical.
DEGREE: any degree subject. Transport, logistics, business helpful. Can do a postgraduate degree in this subject.
TIPS: Apply for graduate training schemes in final year. Can move into management from warehouse, clerical or driving jobs.

General information

Prospects Sector Briefing: Transport Sector www.prospects.ac.uk/links/TransportSB

Prospects Occupational Profiles

An overview of occupations within the transport sector , current issues, skills gaps and predicted trends can be found at: www.guidance-research.org/future-trends/transport
British International Freight Association www.bifa.org
Careers in Logistics www.careersinlogistics.co.uk
Transport Planning Society www.tps.org.uk

Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport www.ciltuk.org.uk

Real announcements that London Tube train drivers have made to their passengers ...

'Do you want the good news first or the bad news? The good news is that last Friday was my birthday and I hit the town and had a great time. The bad news is that there is a points failure somewhere between Stratford and East Ham, which means we probably won't reach our destination.'

'Ladies and gentlemen, we apologize for the delay, but there is a security alert at Victoria station and we are therefore stuck here for the foreseeable future, so let's take our minds off it and pass some time together. All together now.... 'Ten green bottles, hanging on a wall.....'.

'Let the passengers off the train FIRST!' (Pause ) 'Oh go on then, stuff yourselves in like sardines,
see if I care - I'm going home....'

'To the gentleman wearing the long grey coat trying to get on the second carriage -- what part of 'stand clear of the doors' don't you understand?'

Department for Transport www.dft.gov.uk
Inside Careers www.insidecareers.co.uk - vacancies, company profiles and careers advice
Institute of Highways and Transportation www.jobsinhighwaysandtransportation.co.uk site includes a “student lounge” with jobs, placements and careers advice
Links to a wide variety of transport-related organisations from Edinburgh University www.careers.ed.ac.uk/STUDENTS/Careers/P2.html
Jobs in Transport www.jobs-in-transport.com jobs in all aspects of transport.
Exel Logistics www.exel.com
Logistics Manager www.logisticsmanager.com provides news and resources, as well as job vacancies, for logistics professionals.
Logistics Job Shop www.logisticsjobshop.co.uk leading, recruitment agency for people seeking a career in the logistics industry.
Barclay Meade www.barclaymeade.com/logistics-and-supply-chain-jobs supply chain, logistics and transport jobs.
Real World Magazine: Logistics and Transport www.realworldmagazine.com/logistics-and-transport
Gist www.bocgrads.co.uk/about_us_gist.htm - part of BOC, providing distribution services
Hoyer www.hoyer-group.com organises world-wide transports for the chemical industry
Royal Mail www.royalmailgroup.com
John Swire & Sons www.swire.com activities include aviation and shipping, with extensive interests in the Far East . Wincanton www.wincanton.co.uk
Oceanic Resources International www.oceanicresources.com Recruitment specialists in Logistics, Supply Chain, Freight Forwarding, Shipping and Transport.

Land transport – road and rail

Autocity http://autocity.org.uk Institute of the Motor Industry resource which covers every job in the motor industry. Information on salary, skills and qualifications required, case studies and details of career path opportunities.
Enterprise Rent-a-Car https://www.enterprisealive.co.uk large graduate training scheme
Eurostar www.eurostar.com Rail passenger services through the Channel Tunnel. Eurostar's head office is based at Waterloo ; their call centre is in Ashford and offers part-time employment opportunities for students and graduates;
Eurotunnel www.eurotunnel.com Eurotunnel manages the infrastructure of the Channel Tunnel and operates the freight and passenger vehicle-carrying service from Folkestone to Calais
Arriva www.arriva.co.uk bus and rail transport in 9 European countries
First Group – bus and rail transport www.firstgroup.com
National Express Group www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx1/careers
Network Rail www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/117.aspx
TheRichWorks.co.uk www.therichworks.co.uk industry portal for Rail, Infrastructure, Construction & Highways
Stagecoach Group www.stagecoachgroup.com/scg/careers
Transport for London www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/graduates/default.asp

Sea transport

Merchant Navy Officer profile www.prospects.ac.uk/merchant_navy_officer_job_description.htm
Careers at Sea CareersatSea.org careers website of the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB). Has list of Merchant Navy training companies.
Royal Fleet Auxiliary www.royalnavy.mod.uk/the-fleet/royal-fleet-auxiliary the supply ships for the Royal Navy

Don Pedro's Global Maritime Shipping Job Links www.donpedroshipping.co.uk Site for merchant seamen but also has links to shore-based vacancies. Includes advice for newcomers to the shipping industry.
The World Shipping Directory http://wsd.world.no
The Nautical Institute www.nautinst.org for general advice on shipping-related careers
Maersk www.maersk.co.uk shipping company with graduate training scheme
Container shipping ports and companies www.cargosystems.net
Cruise Service Centre www.cruiseservicecenter.com advice on working in the cruise ship industry plus vacancy information
LD Lines www.ldlines.co.uk Channel ferries
P&O Ferries www.poferries.com Dover-Calais ferries
Seafrance www.seafrance.com French Dover-Calais ferry company which employs around 200 staff in Dover , the majority in front-line customer service roles
Dover Harbour Board www.doverport.co.uk
Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (ImarEST) jobs and recruitment information.

Careers & Employability Home	Choosing a Career	Applications and Interviews
Employability	I want to work in ...	Example CVs
Employability Skills	What can I do with my degree?	Practice Aptitude Tests
Work Experience	Postgraduate Study	Working in Kent
Site Map	Vacancies	Careers Events on Campus