Logistics Manager Career

This post presents detailed information on the logistics manager career, including the various career opportunities available and the benefits of being a logistics manager.

How to Become a Logistics Manager

Here are steps you can take to become a logistics manager:

1. Get your Bachelor’s Degree

Most logistics managers require a Bachelor’s degree to begin their careers. A supply chain and logistics management degree track is available at some colleges.

Finance and information technology may also be areas of emphasis (IT). Bachelor’s degrees are normally completed after four years of full-time study.

2. Enroll in a Certificate Program

For supply chain and business degree candidates, some schools offer certificate programs with targeted logistics courses.

You can also use these programs to supplement your existing education and work experience.

Consider pursuing a certificate program in addition to or instead of your Bachelor’s degree.

Many colleges and universities provide online options for earning certificates while working full-time.

3. Get some Work Experience

A logistics manager position is a supervisory position. You could begin in an entry-level position before moving up to a higher level of responsibility.

When starting out in the supply chain and logistics field, some positions to consider include:

• Dispatcher
• Analyst of logistics
• Engineer in logistics
• Operations expert
• Supply chain expert
• Transportation logistics expert.

4. Consider Pursuing a Graduate Degree

Before taking on leadership positions, many professionals obtain Master’s degrees. To prepare, consider earning a Master’s degree in supply chain management.

Finance and logistics are two examples of related fields. A Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree may provide you with a more in-depth understanding of all aspects of business operations.

Many Master’s degree programs require two years of full-time study. You may be able to attend school part-time for a longer period of time while working in the field to complete the degree.

More on How to Become a Logistics Manager

5. Establish Connections

Finding a job and succeeding in your role as a logistics manager can both benefit from building a network of professionals and contacts to call on throughout your career.

While pursuing your education, you can begin making contacts with professors and industry professionals.

Making connections with representatives from supply companies, manufacturers, and shipping companies throughout the supply chain is beneficial in the workplace.

6. Participate in Continuing Education.

Though you may learn many industry best practices during your education, the business and supply chain management fields, like other professions, are subject to change.

Participating in continuing education programs can help you review what you already know while also providing new industry information.

Many companies provide employee training programs, or you can look for your own options from independent organizations online.

7. Obtain a Certificate

While you are not required to have a professional certification in the field to find work, having one can demonstrate to potential employers your commitment to learning and improving your skills.

If you have these credentials, you may find it easier to compete with other qualified candidates for a position. Among the logistics manager certifications available are:

• Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution Certification (CLTD)
• Logistics Technician Certification (CLT)
• Master Logistician Certification (CML)
• Professional Logistician Certification (CPL)
• Career Path of a Demonstrated Logistician (DL) Logistics Manager

Logistics Manager Career Opportunities

Here are various career opportunities a logistics manager can explore:

1. Operations Director

An operations director is a senior position that focuses on managing the day-to-day operations of a logistics department or business.

The operations director will be responsible for coordinating and monitoring the activities of the different departments to meet campaign objectives.

An operations director receives regular reports and metrics on any areas of weakness in the company.

2. Vice President

A vice president is the second most senior position in a company’s supply chain organization.

The main focus of a vice president is to lead the operations of a business unit, working closely with other departments and members of senior management to deliver customer satisfaction and increase profits.

VPs typically work closely with the CEO, who reports directly to the Board.

3. Supply Chain Vice President

The supply chain vice president oversees a specific area, such as procurement or warehousing, within an organization.

Supply chain vice president report to the top executive, and often to the CEO.

4. Supply Chain Director

A supply chain director is typically a mid-level manager who oversees a department within a company’s organizational structure (a supply chain function) and typically reports to the senior-most manager in that department.

They are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring the execution of critical business policies and objectives that may include such things as human resource management, purchasing, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and analysis.

5. Director of Supply Chain Operations

The director of supply chain operations is responsible for managing the supply chain functions of a company, which may be an organization that produces or distributes goods to customers.

Director of supply chain operations oversee all other functions within the function, such as logistics management, warehousing, manufacturing and transportation.

More Logistics Manager Career Opportunities

6. Supply Chain Manager

A supply chain manager is a mid-level manager who oversees a department within a company’s organizational structure (a logistics function).

The supply chain manager is responsible for planning, implementing and monitoring the execution of critical business policies, customer satisfaction, and integrated marketing communications to achieve company goals.

7. Senior Operations Manager

A senior operations manager works in a different industry than a logistics manager. They typically work for manufacturing companies that make and ship products.

The senior operations manager has responsibility for managing the workers that are responsible for the shipping processes.

A senior operations manager typically leads a team of 5 or more people, who report directly to them.

8. Senior Logistics Manager

The senior logistics manager is a mid-level manager who oversees a department within a company’s organizational structure (a logistics function).

Senior logistics manager reports to the top level manager in the company. They are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring into execution, critical business policies and objectives that may include such things as human resource management, purchasing, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and analysis.

Additional Logistics Manager Career Opportunities

9. Materials Director

The materials director is a mid-level manager who oversees a department within a company’s organizational structure (a materials function).

Materials director reports to the top level manager in the company. They are responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring into execution, critical business policies and objectives that may include such things as human resource management, purchasing, budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and analysis.

10. Director of Purchasing

A director of purchasing is a mid-level manager who oversees the purchasing department of a company.

The director of purchasing is responsible for managing the workers that are responsible for purchasing products for the company.

A director of purchasing typically leads a team of 5 or more people, who report directly to him/her.

Challenges faced by Logistics Manager on the Job

A logistics manager faces many challenges on the job, such as:

1. Handling changes in the market and competition

To ensure that the company has the correct amount of freight, logistics managers will have to order goods from the market.

However, there are many changes in the field of supply chain such as change in market demand, competitor’s moves and each organization’s strategic business plan.

For staying profitable, logistics must be able to handle changes in a timely manner without causing any effect to the organization’s performance.

2. Ensuring that good warehoused goods are available on-time and at the right price and quantity

In order to ensure that good warehoused goods are available at the right price and quantity, logistics managers have to have the supply chain management plan.

To have a plan for supply chain management, logistics managers should work closely with other departments in order to make sure that there are sufficient number of resources in a timely manner.

Then, logistics managers can take care of warehousing activities such as storing products and inspecting goods.

3. Managing communications across board

Communication is the key to a good supply chain management. To ensure that communication is going well, logistics would have to be able to deal with any disputes that may arise on the job floor.

To communicate effectively, logistics managers must be aware of their partners and customers.

Major Benefits of a Logistics Manager Career

The following are some of the major benefits of a logistics manager’s career:

1. The ability to keep up with growth and changes in the industry

Logistics managers will be able to respond to these changes in the industry. As businesses rely more on data and information systems, supply chain management will influence the way they do business.

Logistics training is also expected to grow in demand as employees perfect their skills in getting the most out of this essential part of business operations.

2. Good work-life balance

Many logistics managers work long hours and may require a change in their personal schedule.

That’s why it’s important for you to be able to work long hours while still handling your personal life.

3. The opportunity for career progression

Logistics management is an excellent career choice for those who want to advance in their careers.

With a Bachelor’s degree, you may be able to secure a job as a supervisor or in the operations side of logistics.

If you have the right credentials, you can move into management positions.

4. Advanced skills and techniques

Logistics managers will learn advanced methods and techniques that they can transfer later to other organizations or industries.

They may also have opportunities to learn new strategies and strategies to improve their skills.

More Benefits of a Logistics Manager Career

5. Higher pay

Though the starting salary for a logistics manager is not quite high, it may be higher than others in the supply chain field.

The education and experience needed for a career can also lead to high wages over time.

6. Plenty of job choice

As corporations and other organizations grow, they are more likely to need new employees.

They most likely will be seeking out logistic managers to help them design and improve their supply chain management practices.

7. Anticipated job security

Because logistic managers play a key part in business operations, they often work in environments that ensure their stability.

The better the employer, the better the logistics manager’s position will be with them. The jobs are typically secure.

Conclusion

The logistics manager career provides opportunity to advance to higher paying and exciting supervisory and management positions.