What is the Role of a Logistics Manager?

Logistics managers play an important role in a company's logistics and supply chain department. They ensure that the processes involved in product transportation and delivery function smoothly. Knowing what the work includes is essential if you want to be a logistics manager. In this post, we define logistics managers, explore what they perform, and provide a guide on the prerequisites, how to, benefits, and pay of a logistics manager.

What is a logistics manager?

A logistics manager oversees the receipt, storage, inventory logging, packaging or repackaging, transport and distribution of products in a company. Logistics managers work together with the warehouse and finance managers to receive products from manufacturers and coordinate shipment to customers. They update inventory, analyze supply chain expenses, supervise the receipt and shipment of orders and plan shipping routes.

Also known as a supply chain manager, a logistics manager ensures that the supply chain process of a company transitions smoothly from end to end. As a logistics manager, you make sure that the correct deliveries arrive at the right locations at the right time and utilize minimum costs. You're also in charge of educating the staff of a company about efficient supply chain processes.

What does a logistics manager do?

If you're interested in becoming a logistics manager, it's necessary to know the answer to "What does a logistics manager do?". The main job is to guide the purchasing and receipt of products from manufacturers and delivery to the customer. Other duties of a logistics manager include:

Supervision and coordination

Logistics managers oversee the coordination of operations in a supply chain process. These duties include coordinating receipts, updating inventory and monitoring shipments and supervising the supply chain team. The role also entails working with the warehouse manager to supervise the organization of the warehouse or storage facility, customer service and distribution of deliveries.

Finding the best carriers and transport routes

Logistics managers also perform the roles of identifying the appropriate carriers and negotiating the best contracts and rates and identifying the best transport routes. They also conduct research on the most innovative shipping tracking methods. They ensure that the shipment of products is done in a timely, reliable and cost-effective manner.

Customer service and liaising with manufacturers

A logistics manager interacts with customers to give updates about their orders and deliveries. They also liaise with manufacturers for product orders to ensure they deliver the proper orders. A logistics manager also monitors and evaluates logistics metrics to track supply chain performance and implement improvements to improve customer service delivery.

Analysis and training

Logistics managers also have the duty of analysing and making recommendations on costs and budgets. As a logistics manager, you may also be in charge of educating other departments on supply chain operations and procedures. They also ensure the company complies with supply chain regulations, laws and ISO standards

Career requirements for logistics managers

Below are certain requirements that can help you start you become a logistics manager:

Education requirements

A logistics manager requires a bachelor's degree in logistics and supply chain, business administration or a relevant course. Few employers may hire a logistics manager who has sufficient professional experience but no relevant degree, but most companies prefer to employ someone with a degree. A qualification in logistics and supply chain management can give you important knowledge you can utilize in your career.

Training requirements

You can enhance your experience by taking internship roles right after graduation. You can also apply for management trainee programmes which provide a more detailed level of training for the job role. Logistics managers generally begin their careers as general logistics officers and can also receive on-the-job training to grow their experience.

Certifications

You may not need a certification to be a logistics manager, but if you're looking to become an expert and advance your skills, a certification is beneficial for you. You can earn a certificate in supply chain management or logistics, which can help you scale up and qualify for a higher salary. A certification course is also a good way for you to find out what's new in the industry.

Skill requirements

Beneficial skills that are useful for you as a logistics manager include:

• Problem-solving: Logistics managers encounter a wide variety of challenges as the head of the logistics team. Balancing employee time limitations, storage space and shipping restrictions requires a logistics manager to effectively develop and implement plans and solutions daily.
• Organizational skills: A logistics manager's primary duties are to manage the inventory of a warehouse and maintain large schedules of deliveries and shipments. Keeping detailed records of every aspect of your role and having them readily available for reference makes the daily problem-solving process more manageable.
• Adaptability: When a daily event falls off schedule, a logistics manager needs to minimize any delay it may cause to other scheduled events. Because of this, logistics managers can constantly adapt and rework their schedules to fit within their established time frames.
• Leadership: A logistics manager is a leader who understands the value every team member brings to the team and this helps the manager appropriately delegate responsibilities based on each team member's talents and strengths. When interacting with other departments, business partners and clients, the logistics manager also acts as the representative of the team.
• Communication skills: A logistics manager regularly communicates with business representatives, product vendors, product carriers, clients, other departments and members of the logistics team. An effective manager continuously contacts each of these connections to best optimize the supply chain operations.

How to become a logistics manager

The following four steps can help you become a logistics manager:

1. Pursue a degree

Pursuing a degree in logistics management, supply chain management or business-related course is a great way to enter the field. Having a degree makes you more competitive in the job market and can help you get better employment terms at the entry level. A degree also equips you with knowledge about the industry and how it works.

2. Find an internship

While you're still in university, you can apply for internship or attachment roles with various companies in the supply chain and logistics industry. The experience you gain is invaluable and can place you several steps ahead of your peers. Also having internship experience in your resume can make you more attractive to a larger number of potential employers.

3. Begin as an entry-level logistics employee

Starting your journey as an entry-level logistics officer is a great way to progress in the field and grow your expertise. You're able to gain the relevant skills and competencies that may make you a good manager. Logistics officers usually have about five years of professional experience in the field of logistics and supply chains when they become managers.

4. Get a certification

Pursuing a logistics certification helps you strengthen your resume, and it gives you more knowledge and expertise which can set you ahead of other candidates. Certifications can also give you an edge of expertise which other candidates without a certification can take years to achieve in experience. Having a certification is a worthy pursuit in your journey to becoming a logistics manager.

Advantages of being a logistics manager

A career in logistics and supply chain has several advantages. Some benefits include:

• Quick career progression: Logistics and supply chain is an industry that continues to grow and with its growth comes numerous jobs.
• Competitive salary: Logistics manager jobs earn a good salary which goes up with the more experience and qualifications you have.
• Various opportunities: From food production to clothing and even machinery, every company that manufactures, packages and ships products requires a logistics manager. This means the field is vast and you may be able to find a job easily.
• Opportunity to get a job without qualifications: Although companies prefer that you have a degree, you can still get a job as a logistics manager based on your skills and work experience.
• Optimization of company costs: Through proper coordination and organization, a logistics manager can help a company make major savings on expenses.
• Efficiency in the supply chain: Logistics managers ensure the smooth running of a company's supply chain processes.
• Positive customer experience: Logistics managers help companies give a good customer experience by providing quick and efficient logistics coordination services.
• Increased profitability: Logistics managers are vital in helping companies increase their profitability by ensuring good service delivery, which triggers an increase in orders.