What Does A Logistics Manager Do (including Their Typical Day at Work)

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Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz

Logistics Managers

Logistics Managers plan, direct, or coordinate purchasing, warehousing, distribution, forecasting, customer service, or planning services. Manage logistics personnel and logistics systems and direct daily operations.

Salary
$105100
Becoming One
Hard
Education
Bachelor's degree
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality


What they do

Logistics Managers plan, direct, or coordinate purchasing, warehousing, distribution, forecasting, customer service, or planning services. Manage logistics personnel and logistics systems and direct daily operations.

  • Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
  • Supervise the work of logistics specialists, planners, or schedulers.
  • Create policies or procedures for logistics activities.
  • Direct distribution center operation to ensure achievement of cost, productivity, accuracy, or timeliness objectives.

Typical day

On a daily basis, Logistics Managers supervise the work of logistics specialists, planners, or schedulers. They direct distribution center operations to ensure the achievement of cost, productivity, accuracy, or timeliness objectives.

A typical day for a Logistics Manager will also include:

  • Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
  • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
  • Direct or coordinate comprehensive logistical or reverse logistical functions for product life cycles, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, recycling, reuse, or final disposal of resources.
  • Communicate freight transportation information to customers or suppliers, using transportation management, electronic logistics marketplace, or electronic freight information systems, to improve efficiency, speed, or quality of transportation services.
  • Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Logistics Managers also review global, national, or regional transportation or logistics reports for ways to improve efficiency or minimize the environmental impact of logistics activities. They may also negotiate with suppliers or customers to improve supply chain efficiency or sustainability.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Logistics Managers maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs, or training or safety records. They might also create policies or procedures for logistics activities.

In addition, they implement specific customer requirements, such as internal reporting or customized transportation metrics.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them recommend optimal transportation modes, routing, equipment, or frequency.

To some Logistics Managers, it is also their responsibility to analyze the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.

What is the job like

Job satisfaction

Very High

Is this job meaningful

High

75% said they were satisfied with their job and 62% said they found their job meaningful.


Target in Queens, NY

I worked the overnight shift as a Truck Unloader. Overall, it was a very physically demanding job with minimal pay and safety risks. Boxes falling off the truck from a high pallet was common and sometimes caused injury depending on how heavy the product was. Pros The pros of unloading a truck to me were … Read More


Samsung SDS

My Typical Day Daily Outbound Route Planning We carry out logistics operations with between 500 and 1200 vehicles on an average day. Therefore, the tracking and route planning of all these vehicles covers an integral part of my day. Return Product Management My team ensures the traceability of the returned products. We set up small … Read More


Mickey Trading

I am the Logistics Operations Manager for Mickey, a commoditech company. Mickey brings physical commodity trading online for mid-size suppliers and traders around the world, modernizing the entire transaction — from sourcing to shipping to payment — making it fast and easy for global buyers to purchase, track, and acquire the commodities they need. My … Read More


A logistics company with multiple warehouses in Illinois

I am Charlotte Robinson, an engineer based in Chicago. I have worked in the transportation sector for the last 8 years and I highly recommend this sector for any young adult seeking employment. My work consists of organizing and managing many warehouses scattered across Illinois. I keep track of quality, quantity, stock levels, delivery times, … Read More


Nationwide Courier Service

As a logistics manager, there are a number of duties that you have to carry out on a daily basis in order to be successful within your field. Without some of these tasks and steps, you’ll find that both your boss and your clients will become rather upset due to your inactivity. A logistics manager … Read More


Express Trans

Being a Logistics Manager is a challenge. Logistics is a big numbers game because every mile you don’t make today you can never make up for it. Every lost mile is a direct impact on your reliability, cash flow, and income. Logistics Manager is an active and diverting job because every day you get a … Read More


Note Logistics

Every day is an adventure. Never make the mistake of thinking today will be an easy day, whether it’s a Monday, a Wednesday, or a Friday. There are so many variables that can affect what you do. Here are just some of the roadblocks you may face each day: Late arrivals. Are the carriers going … Read More


Pros

Suitable for people who like to start and carry out projects.

Suitable for people who wants job security and a good working condition.

This career is perfect for people who love to work indoors.

Very high salary (top 25% highest paid careers).

Cons

Not suitable for people who like to help and teach others.

It is hard to get into this career. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for this career.

Long working hours (More than 40 hours per week).

How much do they make

Average salary

$105100 per year

Average hourly wage

$51 per hour

Entry-level Logistics Managers with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $56,970 to $73,700 per year or $27 to $35 per hour.

Salary by experience Annual Hourly
Highest (Top 10%) $164,140 $79
Senior (Top 25%) $126,560 $61
Median $96,390 $46
Junior (Bottom 25%) $73,700 $35
No experience (Bottom 10%) $56,970 $27

This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Logistics Managers based on their average annual salary.

Salary by industry Annual Hourly
Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing $178780 $85.95
Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations $151310 $72.74
Telecommunications $150240 $72.23
Securities, Commodity Contracts, and Other Financial Investments and Related Activities $145930 $70.16
Scientific Research and Development Services $143460 $68.97
Credit Intermediation and Related Activities $139190 $66.92
Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services $139090 $66.87
Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing $137950 $66.32
Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing $137720 $66.21
Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing $136610 $65.68

View more salary by industries here.

Where can they work

Where can Logistics Managers work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Logistics Managers including the average salary in that industry.

Employers Total Employed Annual Salary Hourly Wages
Warehousing and Storage 13730 $97720 $46.98
Truck Transportation 11140 $98080 $47.15
Management of Companies and Enterprises 8730 $132660 $63.78
Federal Executive Branch 6880 $107510 $51.69
Local Government 5430 $111300 $53.51
Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods 5090 $101590 $48.84
Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods 4930 $98490 $47.35
Freight Transportation Arrangement 4920 $96540 $46.41
Couriers and Express Delivery Services 4450 $108360 $52.10
Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing 2780 $81380 $39.12

What is the work day like

Working hours

Less than 40 hours
4%

40 hours
32%

More than 40 hours
64%

Working schedule

83%

17%

0%

Email

How often do you use email in this job?

Once a week
0%

Every day
100%

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Once a week
3%

Every day
97%

Group discussions

How often do you have group discussions in this job?

Once a week
17%

Every day
83%

Public speaking

How often does this job require you to do public speaking?

Never
10%

Once a year
23%

Once a month
43%

Once a week
17%

Every day
7%

Level of competition

How much competitive pressure is in this job?

Not competitive at all
3%

Slightly competitive
3%

Moderately competitive
43%

Highly competitive
50%

Extremely competitive
0%

What is the work environment like

Office-style environment

Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition

Never
17%

Once a year or more
3%

Once a month or more
3%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
70%

Warehouse-style environment

Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse

Never
10%

Once a year or more
20%

Once a month or more
27%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
40%

Outdoors

Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions

Never
38%

Once a year or more
28%

Once a month or more
17%

Once a week or more
7%

Every day
10%

Outdoors – Under Cover

Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)

Never
57%

Once a year or more
27%

Once a month or more
10%

Once a week or more
3%

Every day
3%

How to become one

Difficulty to become one

Hard
You will need a considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience. Careers in this difficulty category usually require a Bachelor’s degree and several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. Similar careers include Database Administrators, Chemists, Art Directors, and Accountants.

Required level of education

What level of education do you need to perform the job?

Less than a High School Diploma
0%

High School Diploma or equivalent
3%

Post-Secondary Certificate
0%

Some College Courses
3%

Associate’s Degree or similar
7%

Bachelor’s Degree
60%

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
10%

Master’s Degree
17%

Post-Master’s Certificate
0%

First Professional Degree
0%

Doctoral Degree
0%

Post-Doctoral Training
0%

Relevant majors

No majors found

Relevant work experience

How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?

None
3%

1 month
0%

1 to 3 months
0%

3 to 6 months
0%

6 months to 1 year
0%

1 to 2 years
0%

2 to 4 years
30%

4 to 6 years
33%

6 to 8 years
23%

8 to 10 years
10%

Over 10 years
0%

On The Job Training

How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?

None or short demonstration
0%

1 month
20%

1 to 3 months
17%

3 to 6 months
23%

6 months to 1 year
17%

1 to 2 years
13%

2 to 4 years
10%

4 to 10 years
0%

Over 10 years
0%

Should you become one

Best personality type for this career

The Leader

People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.

The Builder
43%

People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.


The Thinker
29%

People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.


The Artist
19%

People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.


The Helper
19%

People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.


The Leader
100%

People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.


The Organizer
76%

People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.


You can read more about these career personality types here.

People who are suitable for this job tend to like starting up and carrying out projects. They like leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk-taking and often deal with business.

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.

Work Values

Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?

Achievement
57%

You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.

Working Conditions
67%

You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.

Recognition
52%

You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.

Relationships
62%

You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.

Support
67%

You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.

Independence
67%

You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.

FAQ

What is the difference between a logistics manager and a sourcing manager?

Logistics Managers Logistics managers have to make more strategic decisions and participate in the whole supply chain process. A logistics manager is responsible for planning, executing, and controlling the supply chain activities, simply carrying out the flow of goods from the point of origin to the end of consumption (including after-sale logistics). Sourcing Managers However, … Read More

Answered by:
Ibrahim Keles
Logistics Outbound Manager


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