Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Transport Intern

🎯 Role Definition

A Transport Intern is an entry-level, temporary role designed for students or recent graduates eager to immerse themselves in the logistics and supply chain sector. This position is a fantastic opportunity to gain practical, real-world experience by supporting a company's transportation department. You'll be at the heart of the action, assisting with the coordination, tracking, and analysis of the movement of goods. This role isn't about fetching coffee; it's about contributing to critical daily operations, from communicating with freight carriers to analyzing shipping data and helping to optimize delivery routes. It serves as a foundational stepping stone, providing invaluable insights and skills for a future career in transportation management or the broader supply chain field.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

University/College Student (enrolled in a relevant degree program)
Recent Graduate (Logistics, Supply Chain, Business)
Warehouse or Distribution Center Associate

Advancement To:

Transport Coordinator / Logistics Coordinator
Logistics Analyst / Supply Chain Analyst
Carrier Relations Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Inventory Control Specialist
Procurement Assistant
Customer Service Representative (Logistics)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Actively monitor and track the status of domestic and international shipments from origin to final destination, providing timely updates to stakeholders and proactively identifying potential delays.
Assist the transportation team with the daily dispatching and coordination of inbound and outbound freight, ensuring alignment with production and customer schedules.
Communicate directly with truckload (TL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and parcel carriers to schedule pickups, confirm delivery appointments, and resolve in-transit issues.
Meticulously enter and maintain accurate data in the company's Transportation Management System (TMS), including shipment details, carrier information, and cost accruals.
Conduct basic analysis of transportation costs and freight invoices, auditing for accuracy and identifying opportunities for cost savings.
Prepare and distribute daily, weekly, and monthly transportation reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time performance, cost-per-shipment, and carrier service levels.
Support the logistics team in carrier sourcing and procurement activities, including gathering quotes and comparing service offerings for specific lanes or projects.
Help manage and organize essential shipping documentation, such as Bills of Lading (BOLs), Proof of Delivery (PODs), and customs paperwork, ensuring compliance with all regulations.
Collaborate with the warehouse and shipping departments to ensure that outbound loads are properly prepared, staged, and loaded according to schedule.
Investigate and document shipping discrepancies, such as shortages, damages, or overages, and assist in filing and tracking freight claims with carriers.
Participate in route planning and network optimization projects, using mapping tools and data analysis to identify more efficient ways to move goods.
Provide administrative support to the transportation department, including managing emails, answering phone calls, and maintaining organized digital and physical files.
Assist in ensuring all transportation activities comply with Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and company safety policies.
Engage with internal departments, like customer service and sales, to provide shipment status information and manage customer delivery expectations.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives by identifying bottlenecks or inefficiencies in current transportation processes and suggesting potential solutions.
Support the onboarding process for new carriers by helping to collect necessary compliance documents and setting them up in the TMS.
Learn to use and navigate various logistics software platforms, including the TMS, fleet management systems, and carrier web portals.
Shadow experienced transport coordinators and managers to gain a comprehensive understanding of end-to-end transportation planning and execution.
Help coordinate special shipping requests, including expedited freight, oversized loads, or shipments requiring special handling.
Compile data for carrier performance reviews, providing objective metrics to support quarterly business reviews (QBRs) with key logistics partners.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to answer specific business questions related to logistics and freight.
Contribute to the organization's broader supply chain and data strategy by providing ground-level insights from daily operations.
Collaborate with business units to translate their shipping and delivery needs into actionable transportation and logistics requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies if the transportation team operates within an agile framework for project management.
Assist in the evaluation and testing of new logistics technologies or software modules being considered by the company.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Microsoft Office Proficiency: Strong capability in MS Excel is essential, including functions like VLOOKUPs, pivot tables, and charting for data analysis and reporting.
Data Entry and Accuracy: The ability to quickly and accurately enter information into systems like a Transportation Management System (TMS) or ERP.
Basic Logistics Knowledge: A foundational understanding of supply chain principles, shipping modes (LTL, TL, Parcel), and common transportation terminology.
Analytical Skills: Aptitude for reviewing data, identifying trends, and performing basic cost analysis on freight spend and performance metrics.
Transportation Management Systems (TMS): While prior experience isn't always required, the ability to learn and adapt to new software platforms quickly is crucial.

Soft Skills

Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills are vital for coordinating with carriers, drivers, and internal teams.
Problem-Solving: The ability to think on your feet to address unexpected issues like a missed pickup, a delayed truck, or a documentation error.
Attention to Detail: A high degree of accuracy is needed when managing shipping documents, tracking numbers, and delivery schedules to prevent costly errors.
Time Management & Organization: Must be able to prioritize multiple tasks in a fast-paced environment, from tracking urgent shipments to completing daily reports.
Proactive & Eager to Learn: A strong desire to understand the "why" behind processes and a willingness to take initiative and ask questions.
Teamwork & Collaboration: The ability to work effectively as part of a larger logistics and supply chain team, supporting colleagues to achieve common goals.
Adaptability: Transportation is dynamic; the capacity to adapt to changing schedules, priorities, and challenges is key to success.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university, actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree.

Preferred Education:

Actively pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with a focus on supply chain, logistics, or a related field. Junior or Senior standing is often preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
Business Administration or Management
Industrial Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

0 - 1 year of relevant experience. This is an entry-level role designed for individuals with limited or no professional work history.

Preferred:

Previous internship experience in logistics, supply chain, or a related business function is a strong plus.
Part-time work experience in a warehouse, retail, or customer service environment can be beneficial.
Involvement in extracurricular activities or student organizations related to business or supply chain management.