A massive amount of goods, parts, and raw materials across the globe every day in order to keep the world's economy humming. A significant daily undertaking like this requires a large number of skilled workers and adept logistics specialists to oversee them.
Having such a large scope might be good for job seekers, but if you're considering supply chain management and logistics as potential career paths, you may have some questions. An increasingly important role in this all-too-often overlooked field is that of the logistics manager. It's not just about shipping. This role has lots of potentials.
Here, you will better understand what logistics managers do, how they can be more effective, and more.
What is Logistics Management?
In order to answer this question, it is important to realize that the term "logistics manager" is a generalized term that covers several different positions. Logisticians are experts at project management and organizing large operations. Job titles in logistics management include:
Distribution center manager
Fleet manager
Global transportation manager
Logistics director
Shipping manager
Warehouse supervisor
Regardless of how each role varies, all of them oversee the transport, storage, and procurement of goods. The logistics manager's task is to plan how to get the goods they need to ship and forecast how to efficiently move them. Controlling the storage and warehousing of goods is also part of managing the supply chain. You'd be right to assume this carries a substantial amount of responsibility. Consequently, it can be quite profitable for you.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the May 2021 median annual salary for transportation, storage, and distribution managers was $98,230.1. That's nearly double the national median annual wage for all occupations in 2020, which was $41,950.
What Is the Role of a Logistics Manager?
Logistics managers are responsible for much more than simply making sure products get delivered on a truck. This is a brief overview of what a logistics manager does.
A logistics manager is often tasked with solving regular problems related to transportation and storage, such as weather delays, geopolitical situations, theft, and damage. Typical logistics manager duties include:
Supervising employees
Addressing customer issues or complaints
Developing operating strategies, plans, or procedures
Maintaining safety in the workplace
Everything must be accounted for in this field, so precise documentation is vital. Hence, logistics managers spend a lot of time maintaining reports and maintaining organized inventory records. To ensure that all processes are running smoothly, they also work with adjacent departments such as accounting and customer service.
Some important questions logistics managers should ask themselves every day if they want all supply chain processes to run smoothly: Do goods arrive on time? Are shipments on the most optimized routes at the lowest rates available?
These are just a few of the things these professionals need to consider.
Logistics Management Skills
To be effective, you need a mix of practical skills to manage the daily operations of a logistics outfit. Based on industry data, we identified the following top skills that employers are looking for:
Scheduling Logistics management
Budgeting Warehouse operations management
Supervisory skills
Inventory management/control
Customer service
Occupational health and safety
Project management
Process improvement
Additionally to these major skills, two other qualities may lead to success as a logistics manager: the ability to work well under pressure and stellar organizational skills. Having these tools at your disposal will help you navigate unplanned challenges, adjust to them, and work with understandably concerned clients or higher-ups.
The majority of these skills can be gained from practical experience on the job. Still, a program of study in supply chain and logistics management can help widen your business and logistics operations expertise. On the other hand, getting familiar with project management software can be extremely helpful too!
Logistic Manager Jobs
The distribution center manager is ultimately responsible for ensuring that all packages are loaded and unloaded properly and that all products are stored properly. In addition, they must manage relationships with the chosen vendors.
The Fleet Manager's responsibility is to plan, direct, manage, coordinate, and supervise the acquisition, assignment, utilization, maintenance, repair, replacement, and disposal of fleet vehicles. In addition, he serves as the main contact regarding fleet operations.
In this role, the transportation claims manager oversees all administration throughout the cargo claims lifecycle, liaising between our transportation providers, customers, adjusters, legal representatives, and sales and operations personnel. Claims management in logistics also involves organizing and working with documents.
Global transportation managers are responsible for overseeing the inbound transportation of products from global manufacturing partners to distribution networks and the outbound transportation to customers. In other words, this work involves global logistics management!
An organization's director of logistics is usually responsible for managing end-to-end operations and working internally with its production, leadership, sales, and warehouse teams to optimize operations and align the company's supply chain with its growth objectives.
In addition to managing employees, shipping managers must pack, verify content for shipping, receive packages, order supplies, and control costs. Their primary objective is to make sure that shipping and distribution are always accurate, timely, and secure.
The job of a warehouse supervisor is to oversee and coordinate daily warehouse activities, such as receiving and storing goods, managing inventory levels, ensuring goods are delivered efficiently, supervising staff, and securing the warehouse.
Do You Need Logistics Management Software?
In its entirety, a logistics management system optimizes business processes using software tools. By using a logistics management system, you will be able to increase efficiency in processing orders, managing inventory, transporting orders, and returning orders.
Companies can manage, deliver, and store products with logistics management software much more efficiently. Logistics management applications range from large, integrated ERP systems to specialized applications that handle only a few functions. Systems that integrate logistics management with other business functions, such as sales, finance, procurement, and human resources, are commonly known as ERP systems. Indeed, inventory management in logistics has never been so easy with CEO-ME's management software.
Specifically, logistics management applications provide tools for managing warehouses, transportation, and supply chains. In the past, most logistics management software was on-premises. Now, more cloud-based or hybrid cloud solutions are available.
Wrap Up!
Organizations formulate, manage and implement processes to transport and store goods using logistics management. It is part of their supply chain management function.
Supply chain management can be quite challenging. A logistician's job involves managing various branches of a company every day. CEO-ME is here to help you delegate your logistical responsibilities. Level up your logistics management with our cutting-edge management software. Try it out for free!
FAQ
What are the qualifications of a logistics manager?
You must have a Bachelor's degree in business administration, logistics, supply chain, or a related field. Ideally, you'll have work experience in the same field. You should have a solid understanding of the consumer goods industry. Additionally, knowledge of logistics and inventory management software is required. A professional logistics manager degree or certificate can also be very helpful.
Is logistics management a good career?
In the top business jobs list by U.S. News & World Report for 2022, logisticians ranked 21. This ranking is influenced by several factors, including median salary, unemployment rate, job prospects, work-life balance, and stress level.
Is logistics a difficult job?
Logistics is an industry that's fast-paced, competitive, and highly demanding. As there are a lot of other companies vying for the same business, you should give it all when you work. Consider what's next for your company and how you can take it forward.
What is logistics software?
From delivering raw materials to shipping the finished product to consumers, logistics management software helps businesses manage the various processes involved in the production cycle.