.
.
What does a Logistics Manager do? Logistics Manager’s Jobs, Skills and Training
.
Discover jobs for Logistics Manager
Description of the Work of Logistics Manager
What the Logistics Manager does?
.
The logistics manager is the figure who best controls and organizes the flows of goods (raw materials, components, semi-finished products) from acceptance and sorting in stock to shipping and delivery to other business departments (intercompany) or to distributors and end customers.
.
At the operational level, what does the logistics manager do?
.
The main task of a Logistics Manager is to organize efficiently and at the lowest possible cost the sorting, handling, storage and transport of goods from one place to another, so that the products arrive at their destination intact and on schedule.
.
The logistics manager then plans and coordinates the movement of goods within the warehouse and in the path from warehouse to customer, optimizing all logistics operations according to criteria of efficiency, speed and cost-effectiveness.
.
It interfaces with the Purchasing, Production and even Sales department to schedule purchases and gives guidance to warehouse managers for proper handling of goods and inventory management – to avoid running into overstocking cases, that is, having more inventory than can be stored, or on the contrary undersupply, that is, scarcity of products compared to demand.
.
The logistics manager then oversees the distribution and delivery of outbound products (to production lines and business departments, or to customers), checking that orders are fulfilled on schedule, in the right quantities and in compliance with quality standards. For this purpose, it manages and controls all relevant documentation, such as bubbles, transport slips (DDT), invoices, etc.
.
Fleet management, the management of the company’s fleet for logistics and freight transport (e.g. shipping planning, routine and extraordinary maintenance of vehicles, renewal of the company’s fleet) can also be among the tasks of a logistics manager.
.
Skills of the Logistics Manager
.
Another important part of the logistics manager’s work is the management of returns and so-called reverse logistics, that is, the backward movement of products along the supply chain, which from the final destination return to distributors and manufacturers.
.
In addition, the Logistics Manager manages and coordinates logistics personnel, schedules daily tasks, assigns tasks and priorities to operators.
.
But not only that:
.
The logistics manager must ensure the efficiency of the entire logistics process, acting as a link between suppliers, company and customers, and implement logistics cycle improvement projects.
.
For example, it detects bottlenecks along the supply chain by measuring specific indicators and works for the adoption of computer systems to track and monitor material flows (smart logistics and supply chain 4.0). The use of these digital technologies allows a significant reduction in costs and faster and more effective management of the resources available.
.
Where does a logistics manager work?
.
Logistics managers can actually find very different jobs from various production sectors. There are job offers for logistics in both medium-sized companies active at the national level and in multinationals operating on a global scale.
.
For example, a logistics manager can work for import/export companies, manufacturing companies, shipping companies, freight and logistics companies, GDO and Large Distribution companies with large logistics centres, or commercial enterprises that base their success on e-commerce.
.
Similar job searches: Logistics Manager, Logistics Project Manager, Warehouse Logistics Manager
Sign up now and get the latest job offers for: Logistics Manager
.
Here are the main responsibilities and tasks of a logistics manager:
.
- Organize and control logistics flows (receipt, sorting, storage, distribution…)
- Manage and plan transportation
- Monitor order deliveries and manage order documentation
- Control and optimize logistics costs
- Manage and organize the work of logistics personnel
- Develop efficient freight flow tracking systems
- Implement plans to improve and redefine logistics processes
- Ensuring compliance with quality and safety standards
- Logistics and freight problem solving
.
How to Become Head of Logistics? Training and Requirements
.
How to become Logistics Manager
.
The training required to become a logistics manager is mainly academic, being a managerial position: for example, a degree in Economics, Management Engineering, Transport and Logistics Engineering or similar addresses. However, there are also employers who consider candidates with a technical high school diploma.
.
However, the most requested feature of companies looking for logistics managers is previous experience in the role, preferably in related industries.
.
To complete your training you can then attend courses in logistics and warehouse, transport management, supply chain management, integrated logistics. These courses are advanced courses with a specific focus on modern logistics system design and management techniques, from procurement, storage and inventory management, to the optimization and automation of the traceability of goods with technological solutions, to the organization of an efficient and digitized distribution network.
.
IT skills are also an important part of the training of a logistics manager, because the management of logistics flows takes place through computerized systems, such as management software such as SAP for logistics.
.
Skills of a Logistics Manager
.
The main skills and characteristics that a logistics manager must have are:
.
- In-depth knowledge of all logistics cycle activities
- Knowledge of storage and handling specifications for different types of goods
- Responsibility in inventory management
- Knowledge of transport documentation
- Knowledge of administrative-accounting procedures related to logistics flows
- Familiar with modern computer systems (particularly Excel) and management systems (e.g. SAP)
- Guidance to work for objectives
- Great organizational and time and resource planning skills
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving aptitude
- Communication and relational skills
- Autonomy and leadership
- Stress management skills
.
Work and Career Landings of the Logistics Manager
.
Discover new job offers before others!
.
Career of the Logistics Manager
.
A career as a logistics manager usually requires a few years of experience in the industry. For example, you can start working as a logistics officer, be promoted to warehouse manager, and eventually take on the role of logistics manager.
.
For a Logistics Manager, interesting career prospects are opened up: there is the possibility of going to work for larger companies, with larger and more complex supply chains. Or, you can scale the corporate hierarchy to become director of logistics or Operations Manager.
.
An additional career option is to leverage their specialist expertise and experience in the field to offer logistical consulting services to companies.
.
Good Reasons to Work as a Logistics Manager
.
There are several reasons why the logistics manager is an interesting profession:
.
It is a very dynamic and responsible work, given the increasing importance of logistics systems in the organization of many companies, not only those that deal with logistics as a core business.
.
In fact, although a commodity or product may be convenient and of excellent quality, their value is essentially cancelled without an adequate supply chain that can guarantee on-time delivery where they are needed or where they are requested by the customer.
.
In addition, there are many job offers for logistics manager, in many different sectors (from GDO to manufacturing, to e-commerce), with competitive salaries and different career opportunities also at international level.
.
The ever-growing trend of e-commerce will only increase the importance of supply chain management and order management (fulfilment) for companies, making the logistics manager a highly sought after profile.
.
.