Logistics Manager

What is a Logistics Manager?

by Nicolette Emmino

According to the Department of Labor, a logistics manager is responsible for managing the entire lifecycle of a product, including how it is acquired, allocated, and delivered.

A logistics manager oversees purchasing and distribution in a supply chain and while their role is critical to operations, they are often forgotten.

Logistics managers must supervise employees, resolve issues and complaints, create operating strategies and plans, and ensure safe work environments. They are constatnly worrying about on-target deliveries, travel routes, and low shipping rates.

Their jobs include planning how to get products, how to store products, and how to ship products. One challenge logistics managers encounter is transportation issues as part of the shipping process. Factors such as weather, theft, and damage all play a role.

Responsibilities include:

  • Manage product life cycle
  • Determining materials, supplies, and products related
  • Working with suppliers
  • Working with clients to understand their needs and then figure out how to meet them
  • Review functions and make improvements in processes where necessary
  • Strategize cost and time savings

Many of these professionals incorporate software systems into their processes for better planning and tracking of products. The software programs are designed specifically to manage procurement, inventory management, and other planning systems.

These professionals are often found working in warehouses for big retailers, technical services companies and manufacturers, hospitals, electronic product manufacturers, the federal government, aerospace product and parts manufacturers, transportation equipment manufacturers, among other industries. 

Typically, a degree in supply chain and logistics management will equip professionals with the skills needed in this professions. They may also possess degrees in business or systems engineering. During the course of their education, they will learn operations and database management and system dynamics, as well as software and technology that are used in the field like RFID. 

These are the people that keep businesses performing at their highest potential, so some of the skills they must have include:

  1. Communication
  2. Critical-thinking
  3. Customer service
  4. Organization
  5. Contract management
  6. Business planning
  7. Process improvement
  8. Purchasing
  9. Accounting
  10. Enterprise Resource Planning (SAP)
  11. Supply chain management

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