Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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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.
Table of contents
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.
Featured Schools
What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
75% said they were satisfied with their job and 62% said they found their job meaningful.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Average hourly wage
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 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
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Telephone
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Group discussions
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Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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