Transport Scheduler

Transport schedulers plan and organise systems so that trucks, buses or trains run efficiently and on time.

In the road transport industry, they organise vehicles and routes on a daily basis to ensure that deliveries to customers are completed quickly and efficiently. They also work in passenger transport, where they may be involved in ensuring that buses leave the depot on time, and are properly staffed and equipped, or prepare detailed timetables for railways.

Transport schedulers usually work standard full-time hours, Monday to Friday. However, they may have to work evenings and weekends, or be on call to deal with emergencies. Many large companies run 24-hour operations, and schedulers may have to work shifts. They usually work in a warehouse or a traffic office. They may also spend time in a despatch depot, which may involve working outside for part of the time.

Salaries may range from around £15,000 to £30,000 a year for someone with management responsibilities.

Transport schedulers should:

• be good at planning and organising work schedules
• have good forward-planning skills
• have good spoken and written communication skills
• be flexible when dealing with difficult situations
• be good at analysing information
• have an interest in geography and the transport industry.

Most transport schedulers work in the road freight industry. Employers are often delivery organisations, such as the Post Office and other companies offering mail services, which operate fleets of vehicles across the UK. Transport schedulers may also work for major retailers, wholesalers, and warehousing and distribution firms. Transport schedulers working in the passenger transport industry may work for one of the national bus companies or one of the 31 train operating companies.

Formal qualifications are not always necessary, but employers may expect GCSEs (A*-C), including English and maths, or equivalent qualifications. Apprenticeships may be available. Many schedulers move into the job after experience of driving or clerical work in a transport office.

Transport schedulers are usually trained on the job under the supervision of a transport or distribution manager. During their training they may also work towards NVQs at Level 2 or 3 in a range of subjects relating to transport and distribution. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) offers qualifications at various levels, and it may be possible to work towards a foundation degree in logistics.

There are opportunities to move between different types of companies. Transport schedulers may progress in the transport and distribution industries to a supervisory or management position, particularly if they have relevant vocational qualifications.

Further details