How to Be Transportation Buyer - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Sep 20, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The role of a Transportation Buyer is to source and negotiate the best possible prices for the transportation of goods. This is essential to ensure that goods are transported in an efficient and cost-effective manner. An effective Transportation Buyer must understand the market, evaluate vendors, and be able to negotiate with carriers.

Their expertise allows them to identify and secure the best rates, which ultimately has a direct effect on the company's bottom line. they must manage the logistics of the transportation process, including tracking and auditing freight bills, resolving billing errors, and ensuring goods and shipments are delivered on time. With these skills, a Transportation Buyer can help to improve customer satisfaction by delivering goods in a timely manner and ensuring companies save money through smart purchasing decisions.

Steps How to Become

Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become a transportation buyer, a degree in business, logistics, or supply chain management is recommended.
Get Relevant Experience. Having relevant experience in the transportation industry is an important step in becoming a transportation buyer. This could include working in logistics, supply chain management, or even customer service.
Pursue Professional Certification. Pursuing professional certifications through organizations like the American Logistics Association (ALA) or the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) can help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise in the field of transportation.
Network. Networking with other professionals in the transportation industry is an important part of becoming a successful transportation buyer. Building relationships with vendors and suppliers can help you find the best deals and get the most out of your budget.
Stay Up-to-Date. As a transportation buyer, its important to stay up-to-date on developments in the industry. This includes changes in regulations, technology, and trends in the marketplace.

Transportation buyers must have a reliable and competent approach to ensure successful outcomes. This involves researching the best suppliers, identifying their strengths and weaknesses, negotiating the most beneficial terms, and monitoring the progress of the purchase. All of these aspects are essential to ensure that the supplier can deliver the goods and services at a cost-effective price, on time and with high quality standards.

transportation buyers should be aware of any legal regulations, environmental standards and customer requirements that may affect their purchasing decisions. By taking all of these elements into consideration, transportation buyers can ensure that their purchases are reliable, cost-effective and compliant with any relevant laws or regulations.

You may want to check Public Transportation Supervisor, Transportation Security Specialist, and Transportation Dispatcher for alternative.

Job Description

Negotiate contracts with transportation vendors
Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers
Monitor freight rates, delivery times, and other performance metrics
Ensure compliance with all applicable laws and regulations
Source and evaluate transportation vendors for cost, quality, and reliability
Create purchase orders and manage the logistics of shipping and receiving materials
Track shipments to ensure delivery meets project timelines
Analyze and resolve transportation issues related to cost, quality, and performance
Manage transportation budget
Prepare reports on transportation costs and performance

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of supply chain management principles and processes.
Ability to effectively negotiate and manage contracts.
Proficiency in budgeting and forecasting transportation costs.
Excellent analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Ability to develop and maintain relationships with transport providers.
Knowledge of transport industry regulations and best practices.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and other related software programs.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Ability to work independently as well as part of a team.

Transportation buyers must possess a wide range of skills in order to be successful. Attention to detail, strong negotiation and communication skills, and the ability to multitask are essential for managing transportation contracts, obtaining the best rates and services, and meeting customer demands. Furthermore, a transportation buyer must stay up-to-date with the latest technologies and industry trends to ensure that the organization is taking advantage of new innovations and opportunities.

Furthermore, transportation buyers must also have a working knowledge of legal regulations and be able to review and interpret contracts. they must be able to develop, evaluate and monitor performance criteria in order to ensure that the organization is meeting its goals. Finally, strong analytical and problem-solving skills are necessary in order to assess market conditions, identify potential risks and develop cost reduction strategies.

By having these skills, transportation buyers can ensure that their organization remains competitive and profitable.

Public Transportation Program Manager, Transportation Route Planner, and Public Transportation Analyst are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

How would you describe your experience working in the transportation industry?
What challenges have you faced as a transportation buyer?
How do you go about researching and selecting reliable suppliers?
Describe a time when you had to negotiate a contract with a supplier.
How have you established and maintained relationships with suppliers in the past?
What strategies do you use to ensure that transportation costs are kept to a minimum?
What methods do you use to monitor and evaluate supplier performance?
Describe your experience with transportation management systems and software.
How do you handle a situation where goods have been damaged or lost in transit?
How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and developments?

Common Tools in Industry

Procurement Software. A software used to manage and streamline the procurement process, from purchase requisitions to contracts and invoices. (Eg: Coupa Procurement Software)
Electronic Document Management System. A system used to store, organize, and track electronic documents. (Eg: Microsoft SharePoint)
Supply Chain Management Software. A software used to manage the flow of materials, information, and funds between the various stages of a supply chain. (Eg: SAP SCM)
Logistics Management Software. A software used to track shipments and optimize the delivery process. (Eg: Descartes Logistics Management Software)
Inventory Management System. A system used to track inventory levels, orders, and deliveries. (Eg: Fishbowl Inventory Management System)
Vendor Management System. A system used to manage relationships with vendors and ensure quality control. (Eg: Ivalua Vendor Management System)
Quote Management System. A system used to store, manage, and analyze multiple quotations. (Eg: Zoho Quote Management System)

Professional Organizations to Know

American Public Transportation Association (APTA)
International Association of Public Transportation (UITP)
International Transport Forum (ITF)
National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA)
International Association for Contract & Commercial Management (IACCM)
Transportation Intermediaries Association (TIA)
Institute for Supply Management (ISM)
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS)
National Contract Management Association (NCMA)
International Trade Administrations Automated Commercial Environment (ACE)

We also have Transportation Design Engineer, Transportation Safety Manager, and Railroad Transportation Inspector jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Logistics Management. The process of planning, executing, and controlling the efficient, effective flow and storage of goods, services, and related information from point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of conforming to customer requirements.
Procurement. The process of obtaining goods or services from an outside source.
Supply Chain Management. The management of the flow of goods and services, including the movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.
Inventory Management. The process of tracking and controlling the inventory levels in an organization.
Vendor Management. The process of managing relationships with vendors, including selecting vendors and negotiating contracts.
Distribution Network. The system of warehouses, transportation providers, and other entities used to move goods from one location to another.
Freight Forwarding. The process of arranging for the transportation of goods from one place to another.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Transportation Buyer?

A Transportation Buyer is a professional responsible for managing the purchase of goods and services related to transportation activities. They are responsible for researching and selecting vendors, negotiating rates, and managing relationships with suppliers.

What qualifications are required to become a Transportation Buyer?

Generally, a Transportation Buyer will have a Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, logistics, or a related field. They may also have experience in logistics operations, purchasing, or similar roles.

What are the typical duties of a Transportation Buyer?

Typical duties of a Transportation Buyer include researching suppliers, negotiating prices and terms, monitoring delivery times, negotiating contracts, and monitoring spending. They must also ensure compliance with laws and regulations related to transportation purchases.

What is the average salary for a Transportation Buyer?

The average salary for a Transportation Buyer is around $60,000 per year. Salaries can vary depending on the size of the organization, location, and experience.

What is the job outlook for Transportation Buyers?

The job outlook for Transportation Buyers is expected to be positive in the coming years as businesses continue to rely on efficient transportation services. Demand for skilled professionals in this field will likely remain strong as businesses look to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.