The following article discusses the career path of Logistics Manager. Learn about how to become one, education requirements, job duties, traits and qualities, national salary outlook as well as top national employers of Logistics Managers.
Job Duties
If a company ships products, parts, goods, or other forms of commodities between locations regularly, then they need logistics management, which essentially focuses on every element of the transportation activities. To properly handle this, logistics managers are needed. They are usually middle managers, heading a team of workers specializing in logistics. This means that they also make employment decisions, supervise staff, and manage a budget, creating work within that. They also work together with managers from shipping, loading, and warehouse operations. They report to a more senior manager or even someone at the director level.
One of the key elements of importance in the job of a logistics manager is to make sure that all goods and parts move through the shipping system as efficiently as possible. Typically, they will create reports that showcase exactly how quickly a warehouse fills and how rapidly goods are shipped out. They also create calculations on delivery times based on these reports and on data from past performance.
A large part of the role of the logistics manager is to make sure that any obstacles and bottlenecks are removed. They create a clear path that is completely safe for operatives to use. They enforce regular inspections of freight vehicles, equipment, and warehouses and they keep track of the necessary repairs, making sure they are completed on time.
Like other managers, logistics managers hold responsibility for hiring new staff and conducting their performance reviews. They also schedule work and make sure that best practice procedures are identified and implemented. Usually, they have administrative staff working for them, but they also need to have excellent communication and organization skills themselves so that they can understand the data that is presented to them and ensure they can report on this clearly.
Other job duties of a logistics manager include:
- Coordinating, planning, and directing the distribution and storage of raw materials and other organizational supplies
- Making sure that all customer needs have been met
- Holding responsibility for logistical financial transactions
- Managing staff in the logistics department
Where We Work
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 148,700 logisticians in 2016. The largest employers of these professionals were:
- Manufacturing: 25%
- Federal government: 20%
- Professional, scientific, and technical services: 17%
- Management of companies and enterprises: 10%
- Wholesale trade: 9%
How to Become
A logistics manager usually needs a specialized undergraduate degree in operations engineering, operations analysis, or a related field. It is common for organizations to look for those who have a graduate degree in business management, analysis, or related field. Furthermore, a logistics manager is usually expected to have at least three years’ work experience at middle management level.
Education Requirements
A logistics manager has to be able to manage the complexities of supply chains and logistics. As a result, a bachelor’s degree is usually the minimum requirement. Supply chain management, systems engineering, and business are common study subjects. During the bachelor’s degree, they will learn about system dynamics, database management, and operations. Furthermore, they have to be exposed to common logistics software, such as RFID (radio-frequency identification).
There is no legal requirement for a logistics manager to become certified. However, certifications do demonstrate commitment to excellence and a broader knowledge. Hence, logistics managers may choose to become certified through the International Society of Logistics (SOLE) or through American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS). Work experience and education are required for these certifications. Other options are offered through the DUA (Defense Acquisition University), which are required for those who work as a logistics analyst for the Department of Defense.
Work experience is also vitally important. A logistics manager will need to have gained several years’ experience in supply chains, logistics, and business. Some start in logistical support, such as clerks or dispatchers, and many have a military background. Through work experience, these specialists get to know about supply chain and production processes.
Traits & Qualities
The most effective logistics managers have the following traits to some degree or other:
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong critical thinking skills
- Great customer service skills
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong problem solving skills
Minimum Education
Bachelor’s Degree
National Salary
The national average salary estimate for Logistics Manager was $62,099. This number is estimated from over 779,424 employees, users past and present job advertisements from Indeed.com. This equates to an hourly salary of $32.34 and monthly of $5,175.
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$15,000
$139,000
Salary by State
The following section lists Logistics Manager salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings through Indeed.com. For example, Kentucky had the largest quoted salary of $82,531 while South Dakota had the smallest quoted salary of $23,040.
Top 20 National Employers
According to Indeed.com, the following states had employers looking to hire a Logistics Manager. The quoted salary figure represents the average salary from all job postings by this employer.
Employer Name | Location | Average Salary |
---|---|---|
Facebook Logistics Manager | California | $139,757 |
General Transportation, Inc. Logistics Manager | Arkansas | $121,125 |
NES Global Talent Logistics Manager | Texas | $112,888 |
PeopleSourcer Logistics Manager | Georgia | $110,000 |
Icard Enterprises-Automotive Recruiters Logistics Manager | Illinois | $107,048 |
TruPath Logistics Manager | California | $106,164 |
Global Career Connection Logistics Manager | Michigan | $105,547 |
Retaily Group LLC dba Soap Des Jour Logistics Manager | Arizona | $100,755 |
Cameron Craig Group Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $100,450 |
Mangrum Career Solutions, LLC Logistics Manager | Illinois | $100,000 |
(Fortune 500 Auto Supplier) to $108K Total Comp Logistics Manager | Michigan | $100,000 |
Robert Half Finance & Accounting Logistics Manager | Maryland | $99,504 |
SkillSet Group Logistics Manager | California | $96,529 |
MJ Recruiters, LLC Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Professional Recruiting Partners, LLC Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Ploeger Recruiting Services Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Bertram & Associates Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Lodestar Executive Search Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Bio-Partners Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
CMD And Associates Logistics Manager | Kentucky | $96,084 |
Learn More
- Salary Outlook with a Logistics Degree
- Best Online Logistics Degree
- Logistics – Wikipedia
- Salary Outlook with a Supply Chain Degree
- 7+ Top Supply Chain Management Degrees
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