12 Crucial Skills for Logistics Managers

A logistics manager is in charge of managing an organization's supply chains. They support the planning and management of an organization's product procurement, management, and distribution processes. To guarantee that supply chains run well, there are some talents you can build if you want to become a good logistics manager. This blog examines various responsibilities and needs of this profession as well as 12 critical talents of successful logistics managers.

12 essential logistics manager skills

Since logistics managers are responsible for a wide range of work, logistics manager skills can be very diverse. Here are 12 essential skills for you to become successful in this field:

1. Planning

The major responsibility of a logistics manager is to oversee supply chains, so it's important for them to have great planning skills. Planning skill is a broad term that includes many aptitudes, to name a few, the ability to understand the situation from a macro perspective, foresee future risks and develop a schedule that meets the deadline. These can help logistics managers make a thorough plan that is the best for their logistics team and employer.

Planning for a supply chain can be challenging. While you can gain experiences as you work, taking a course on this subject may also be a practical and effective way to acquire this skill.

2. Communication

Being a logistics manager means communicating with a lot of people. Colleagues, suppliers, carriers, product vendors, clients and customers are common key stakeholders to a logistics team. As a logistics manager, maintaining a harmonious and professional relationship with these stakeholders can ensure effective business communications and a productive working environment.

3. Attention to detail

Attention to detail, especially regarding numbers, can be very useful for a logistics manager. Many duties of a logistics manager relate to numbers, like managing inventory and shipment. Although you're usually not required to have a degree in statistics or mathematics, it's crucial for logistics managers to be sensitive to numbers and details. Making sure all numbers and details are accurate can prevent incidents that could delay the production process.

Try to focus at work and remove all distractions when you're reviewing important documents.

4. Ability to adapt to changes

The supply chain usually involves different groups and components. The larger an organization is, the more components and uncertainties there may be in their supply chain. Sudden changes and unexpected problems may happen regardless of how prepared and experienced a logistics manager is. The ability to adapt to changes can help logistics managers quickly and effectively solve emergency issues and handle sudden changes. You can develop your adaptability skills with experience, but having an extensive plan and proactively addressing potential risks can help you manage unexpected situations more efficiently.

5. Problem-solving

Problem-solving is an important skill for many positions but is particularly vital for a logistics manager. One of the primary duties of the logistics manager is preventing and solving problems in supply chains. A successful logistics manager is familiar with company resources, such as money, people, data, equipment and facilities and knows how to utilize these resources to address supply chain issues efficiently. You can train your problem-solving skills by learning from your mistakes.

6. Ability to work under pressure

Supply chains are often full of challenges and unexpected issues. As the head of the logistics team, a logistics manager's ability to work calmly under pressure can help keep team members calm and focused. When working under tight schedules and stressful situations, it's important for a logistics manager to lead their team to resolve issues calmly.

As logistics is a high-paced environment, it's important to understand how to handle pressure and stress at work. You can start by identifying potential stress factors and addressing them one by one. Some useful skills to reduce work-related stress include setting reasonable goals, delegating work appropriately and maintaining positive relationships with your coworkers.

7. Industry knowledge

The logistics and the supply chain industry are constantly changing with new technologies and best practices. To perform well in their jobs, it's important for logistics managers to keep updated on industry developments and news. Logistics managers can pay special attention to technologies or processes that facilitate better supply chain management and operations and utilize them if possible. Although they're not required to be experts in every step of a production process, extensive knowledge of each role in the supply chain can be helpful for managing logistics teams and supply chains.

8. Organization

The supply chain is often complex with many people and organizations involved, so good organizational skills can help logistics managers keep logistics processes operating smoothly. Organizational skills cover many areas, like time management, work delegation and goal setting. If you want to improve your organizational skills, you can use online organization tools. There are many web tools to organize workflows, tasks and projects. By keeping your work organized, your team can work more efficiently and minimize the possibility of errors.

9. Decision-making

For logistics managers, there are many decisions to be made quickly. Making sound and swift decisions can help a logistics team work smoothly even when facing unexpected situations. Familiarizing yourself with a supply chain's workflow and your team member's roles can help you make better and faster decisions. You can also pay attention to major project updates and note how these changes affect your team's work plan.

10. Honesty and integrity

When overseeing many people and tasks, it's crucial to maintain integrity, especially when you make a mistake. Taking responsibility for mistakes can help motivate team members to do the same. Managing with honesty and integrity not only can help you gain respect from your colleagues, but also trust from your clients and working partners.

11. Flexibility

Following procedures too rigidly may not always be the best practice for logistics managers because flexibility is crucial while handling unexpected challenges. There are many uncertainties in the supply chain, and as a manager, it's often your responsibility to keep a situation from escalating and prevent any damage. Being flexible can help you respond to challenges quickly and encourage your team members to be as proactive as you.

12. Analytical skills

The ability to analyze data and information is valuable to logistics managers. Logistics managers analyze large volumes of data, such as company resources, shipment statuses and potential risks, before devising comprehensive plans for supply chains. This involves interpreting data accurately and analyzing them logically according to your employer's financial situation.

What are the duties of a logistics manager?

The duties of a logistics manager vary depending on the company and industry, but some common duties of a logistics manager include:

• managing inventories in a warehouse
• organizing storage and product distribution
• communicating with clients and suppliers on supply chain issues
• directing the flow of raw materials and products
• negotiating shipping rates with carriers
• supervising the logistics team
• overseeing product import and export
• arranging transportation of products

What are the requirements of a logistics manager?

While there're no fixed requirements for this position, many employers are looking for candidates who have the following qualifications:

Working experience

Experience in the field of logistics and supply chain management is crucial to employers. As this job highly relies on the candidate's problem-solving skills and management skills, employers usually expect a minimum of six years of relevant experience as a general logistician from candidates applying for a managerial role. When preparing for your interview, make sure you have a few examples and case studies ready that can illustrate your logistics and managerial skills.

Education

Having a degree or equivalent qualification in logistics, supply chain management, business administration or relevant discipline can be helpful when applying for logistics manager posts. If you wish to advance in your career as a logistics manager, you can also consider pursuing advanced education in related fields to logistics or the industry you work in. For general logisticians who wish to get a promotion, it can also be beneficial to obtain a degree in management or business administration.

Certificates and diplomas

If your degree isn't relevant to logistics and supply chain management or you're looking to change careers into logistics, you can consider attending certificate programmes in logistics. These programmes vary in topics, difficulty and time, so it's important to perform adequate research and identify which programmes are more relevant to your career goals. Certifying your skills and staying up-to-date with the industry's latest developments can help you position yourself as a knowledgeable and hardworking professional.