How to become A Logistics Manager

In today’s economy, the real work of a company takes place in its supply chain. By ensuring it meets customer needs at the right place, time, and price, a competent Logistics Manager can help the company save money and improve customer satisfaction.

• Logistics and Distribution Manager
• Logistics, Distribution, and Transportation Manager
• Logistics Operations Manager
• Supply Chain Manager
• Distribution Manager
• Warehouse Manager
• Operations Manager
• Transportation Manager
• Materials Manager
• Shipping Manager
• Inventory Manager
• Procurement Manager
• Fulfillment Manager
• Logistics Supervisor

What do Logistics Managers do?

A Logistics Manager would typically need to:

• Manage the purchasing, inventory, warehousing, and transportation of products and materials in an efficient, lawful, and cost-effective manner
• Regulate the export and import process of organisational goods; set objectives; plan and handle projects
• Direct, coordinate, and optimise order cycle time to improve client satisfaction, reduce costs, and remain competitive
• Liaise and negotiate with multiple stakeholders; locate appropriate product carriers; discuss and negotiate contracts and shipping rates
• Use IT systems to set up, monitor, and maintain the schedules for inbound and outbound shipments so the right products are in the right place at the right time
• Manage an accurate warehouse inventory to preserve optimal stock levels and avoid stockout/overstock situations
• Train, supervise, and motivate the rest of the team; make sure all logistical activities are in compliance with local laws, guidelines, and requirements
• Work with other departments in the organisation to incorporate and implement logistical practices and improvements compatible with key performance metrics
• Facilitate productive business relationships with clients and product suppliers; address problems or complaints in a timely fashion
• Acquire new contracts, analyse logistical issues, and come up with innovative solutions to develop the business and e-commerce order fulfilment
• Assess organisational budget and expenditure; be on the lookout for better shipping techniques, routes, and product carriers to increase profits
• Work toward maximising business opportunities despite rising fuel costs, constantly changing laws, and escalating environmental concerns
• Use expert knowledge in specific areas, such as mechanical-handling systems, if providing consultancy services

Logistics Managers often work in offices, warehouses, and distribution centres. Your job may also require your presence on the shop floor. Whether you work solo or as part of a larger logistics team, you must collaborate with suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and clients in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Domestic and international travel frequency may depend on your employer/client’s expectations and needs.

Logistics Managers often put in up to 60 hours a week. However, you may need to work evenings and weekends to meet production goals and deadlines. If your employer offers 24-hour service, you may be required to work in shifts outside conventional working hours.

Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the work pressure.

Finding a new job may be challenging. Logistics Managers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies. Self-employment and part-time work are possible. 

Logistics Managers are generally employed by:

• Logistics Firms
• Transportation Companies
• Private Companies
• The Government
• Retail Companies
• Aviation Organisations
• Rail Providers
• Engineering/Technology Firms
• Fast-Moving Consumer Goods Organisations
• Manufacturing Companies
• Freight Companies
• Parcel Delivery Companies
• 3PL (Third-Party Logistics) Organisations
• Pharmaceutical Firms
• Healthcare Companies
• E-Commerce Organisations
• Construction Companies

Professional associations and organisations, such as the International Society of Logistics (SOLE), are crucial for Logistics Managers interested in pursuing lifelong professional development and connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. You have access to short courses, conferences, and industry publications, which help with CPD. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications. 

• Extreme stress due to unanticipated intensity of training and planning required for the successful execution of tasks in high-pressure situations
• A high probability of failing to process the vast amount of data necessary for operational efficiency and being held solely accountable for consequent losses
• The need to be aware of and comply with constantly evolving logistics and transportation rules and regulations that keep changing across domestic and international locations
• Sudden disruptions in the supply chain due to natural disasters, political instability, economic downturns, or failure to identify security threats, cyber threats, or quality control issues
• Maintaining adequate inventory levels and meeting customer demands for fast and cost-effective shipping without raising holding costs or causing stockout situations, especially with the rise of e-commerce
• Failure to understand and implement new logistics technologies, such as warehouse automation and route optimisation software
• Hiring, training, and retention of skilled logistics personnel, including warehouse staff and truck drivers
• The need to maintain efficiency while implementing eco-friendly solutions in sync with environmental regulations
• The need to ensure suppliers and vendors meet expected quality and delivery standards

Pre-entry work experience shows potential employers that Logistics Managers have some of the required skills and an interest in the field.

Even while in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities to connect your school experiences with real-life work. Join clubs or participate in extracurricular activities to develop the business, management, and leadership skills essential to this career. Familiarising yourself with computer software and data analysis tools would help. Research and identify reputable logistics and supply chain management programmes and certifications. The exploration will help you decide your education and training options after high school.

It is helpful if your post-secondary academic program includes mandatory or elective internships/apprenticeships related to logistics, warehousing, transportation, or distribution. You can learn about the industry and connect with experienced professionals. In addition to benefiting from tasks outside the classroom that align with lessons inside it, interns may also get college credits that help with early graduation, GPA, and tuition. 

Companies may prefer to sponsor bright young students through degree-level courses in supply chain management. The students attend classes and may work part-time or during holidays with the company. You get a salary and valuable experience. Furthermore, you can complete your degree without debt and enter a job, potentially with a sponsor. Before signing the dotted line, ensure you are comfortable studying at the partnering university and working for the sponsoring company during and after graduation.

The experience may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise your professional ambitions. You may find relevant information about viable internships and voluntary work opportunities in diverse sectors from networking events, online job portals, and social media communities. Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experienced Logistics Managers to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Aspiring Logistics Managers can begin preparing for this role as early as high school by participating in business, management, and leadership clubs to develop essential skills for logistics management. 

Aspiring Logistics Managers require a solid understanding of logistics theory, operations, quantitative analysis, finance, statistics, accounting, and marketing. 

A bachelor’s degree in logistics and transport management, logistics and distribution management, supply chain management, or operations management/engineering/ analysis will prove advantageous. Other relevant areas include business management, business studies, computing, economics, geography and planning, and information systems. 

An associate degree, diploma, foundation degree, or certificate in the abovementioned disciplines may also ensure your success as a Logistics Manager. Sometimes, a postgraduate degree in logistics and supply chain management can make it easier for you to enter and progress in this field. 

Recommended high school courses include mathematics, algebra, calculus, computer science, business, and physics. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee professional entry. However, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up multiple doors.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

Certification demonstrates a Logistics Manager’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Aspirants can acquire varying levels of accredited certification in logistics. You may also profit from certifications in transportation, distribution, supply chain, project management, and warehouse logistics from an objective and reputed organisation that can help you stand out in a competitive job market. Licensure depends on your region and organisational requirements. You may benefit from acquiring a customs broker license if your role involves international trade and customs regulations.

Logistics Managers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.

The exact job titles and hierarchy may vary across companies and industries. Larger organisations may have separate roles for logistics, while smaller companies may have one or two employees handling the entire process. However, the titles along the most common career paths available to qualified Logistics Managers include the following.

You may begin your career as a Trainee Manager or an entry-level Logistics Coordinator in a warehouse or distribution centre. After gaining significant knowledge and skills about logistics operations in a specific industry, you may be ready for promotion as a Senior Logistics Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Warehouse Manager, or Distribution Centre Manager. If your interest lies in a particular aspect of logistics, such as supply chain management or transportation, you can specialise in it. 

With experience and additional qualifications, you may aspire to executive positions, including Director of Logistics, Vice President of Logistics, Chief Supply Chain Officer, or General Manager (Logistics). Becoming an independent Consultant is possible once you have acquired the requisite experience, client base, and funds to set up your own business.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable and transferable skills along the way.

Logistics Managers who have excellent problem-solving skills have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Logistics Manager build proficiency through work-based learning, professional activities, formal education, or self-directed learning.

Large companies and organisations offer highly competitive graduate schemes to fresh graduates with high potential for leadership roles in logistics. If selected, you will typically undergo a two-year-long, top-grade, in-house training, including rotation between different departments and locations to experience various career specialisms. Successful completion often leads to permanent employment.

You may find a leadership development program, certificate or diploma in management studies, or master’s degree in business administration, logistics, or supply chain management useful or essential for career progression. Logistics Managers with at least three years of work experience can seek advanced certification in transportation and logistics. Your employer may count accredited production and inventory control certification as proof of desirable expertise.  

Volunteer to participate in and lead more complex projects, attend industry events, read industry publications, and network with logistics professionals to deepen your knowledge, remain updated on the latest developments in the field, and learn about attractive career opportunities.

In addition to offering the opportunity to continually upskill, regardless of one’s age, job, or level of knowledge, CPD also enables the periodic renewal of desirable certifications, which increase one’s chances of advancement and becoming an independent consultant.

Logistics vs. Supply Chain Management

The supply chain includes all the processes needed to bridge the gap between consumer needs and the delivery of finished goods. Logistics is that part of the supply chain which deals with moving and storing products, materials, information and services. The supply chain extends beyond logistics to product development, purchasing and sourcing, and manufacturing.

Processes Within Logistics Management

The supply chain includes four primary areas of logistics management. Management of supply stages and logistics refers to purchasing, supplying, and transporting materials required for a product or service. Movement of material and distribution involves managing inventory by keeping track of available resources and sending materials from the warehouse to the commercial store or customer. Logistics of production is in charge of sourcing the suitable materials to produce a product or service. An apt illustration of reverse logistics is retrieving the product from a dissatisfied customer and returning it to the manufacturer or seller.

How Can Logistics Be Improved?

Use software to track inventory and shipments to ensure products are in stock and delivered on time. Streamline the shipping process by using smaller packaging to save shipping costs and shipping items directly to the customers. Train your team on handling and shipping products properly so they reach their destination safely. 

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, occupation size, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

Skilled Logistics Managers can expect decent job growth in the coming years with projected opportunities and salary increases as the e-commerce and trading industries grow globally.

Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment

Freelancing Logistics Managers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They fully own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.

On the other hand, full-time Logistics Managers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership and variety.

When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.

Barcodes were initially used to label railway carriages. They were then successfully adopted by supermarkets and became integral to other industries, including retail and logistics.

The ease with which products and services can be copied shows that the competition is no longer between companies but in how they manage their supply chains. An efficient Logistics Manager can provide a true competitive advantage.

"Looking at the world through a sustainability lens not only helps us 'future proof' our supply chain, it also fuels innovation and drives brand growth." 

Paul Polman, CEO, Unilever