Most Common Types of Transportation Jobs

Whether you’re looking to change careers or are simply curious about what the transportation industry has to offer, Beacon Transport has the resources you need. Job titles in the transportation industry range from Inventory Control Analyst to Logistics Coordinator.

There are many different roles available to those interested in working in the transportation sector, from planning and scheduling trips to moving materials and hauling goods. To see if any of these sectors would be a good fit for you, read on.

Here are some of the common transportation jobs in Nashville:

  1. Truck Drivers
  2. Distribution & Warehousing Professionals
  3. Cargo Specialists
  4. Travel Logistics Providers
  5. Education Requirements

Truck Drivers

Transporting goods from one destination to another is the main responsibility of a truck driver, one of the most common positions in the transportation industry. Most of the time, trucking specialists, who must obtain a CDL license, transport products from a manufacturing plant to a retail or distribution center.

In addition to these driving courses and experience, these truck drivers must be able to finish their drive within a certain timeframe. To be a good fit for the truck driving sector, one must be comfortable with spending a lot of time alone in their single truck unit, and spending a lot of time on the road.

Here are some of the basic truck driver jobs:

  • CDL Driver
  • Delivery Drivers
  • Delivery Helper
  • Truck Driver
  • Truck Driver Supervisor

Visit Beacon Transport to learn more about being a truck driver in Nashville, TN today!

Distribution & Warehousing Professionals

Distributors and warehouse operators are also an important sector within the transportation industry. Large distribution and warehousing centers facilitate the efficient import and export of cargo, and their workers are required to ensure materials are handled correctly and delivered on time in these hectic industry facilities. Many of the job titles in this industry don’t require formal education, but experience in the industry is highly recommended.

Here are some of the jobs you can find within the distribution & warehousing sector:

  • Distribution Center Manager
  • Distribution Director
  • Equipment Director
  • Estimator
  • Inventory Control Analyst
  • Inventory Control Clerk
  • Inventory Control Supervisor
  • Operations Manager
  • Operations Security
  • Shipping and Receiving Clerk

Cargo Specialists

Another sector of the transportation, distribution industry involves cargo and material handling. Material specialists might retrieve or unload trucks carrying freight or stock as part of their job duties.

As well as packaging products, these professionals may also need to clean transportation equipment as it arrives after a long trip. Materials specialists are usually not required to have formal education, but they need to be physically fit, strong, and will likely undergo specific training programs provided by their employer.

Here are some of the titles a material specialist may have:

  • Expeditor Forklift Operator
  • LogisticianMaterials Control Manager
  • Materials Handler
  • Materials Supervisor
  • Packaging Engineer
  • Production Scheduler
  • Refuse & Recyclable Material Collectors

Travel Logistics Providers

When it comes to the seamless operations and effective distribution outlets, the travel logistics providers are extremely important. These professionals coordinate all details involved in the transport of people and goods between departure and destination. From defining specific routes that get products to and from their destinations on time, to coordinating inventory stock performance, travel logistics providers keep the distribution chain running smoothly.

Here are some of the roles within travel logistics:

  • Import & Export Clerk
  • Import & Export Manager
  • Logistics Analyst
  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Traffic Clerk
  • Traffic Director
  • Traffic Rate Analyst
  • Transportation Analyst
  • Transportation Attendant
  • Transportation Broker
  • Transportation Inspector
  • Transportation Planner
  • Travel Coordinator

Education Requirements

A four-year degree or additional education is not typically required for jobs within the transportation industry. Many sectors and companies within the industry will offer on-the-job training or other additional certification programs to high school graduates or long-term employees. For more information about specific requirements per job title, connect with a local logistics provider to learn more about their job offerings and opportunities or check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Are you ready to join the truckload carrier industry? Check out our driver requirements and contact Beacon Transport today!

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Beacon Transport is a truckload carrier company based in Nashville, TN that specializes in hauling non-hazardous dry freight throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Southwest.