OVERVIEW
What Is a Logistics Manager?
Ever wonder how your Amazon Prime purchase got from a warehouse across the world to your front door? Logistics management made that happen. In a world where people can buy anything they want at the click of a button, logistics can make or break a company. But what exactly is logistics?
Logistics refers to the movement of inventory from point A to point B. The people who oversee that process are logistics managers. It’s their job to determine the most efficient and cost-effective ways to move inventory and to find the best balance between supply and demand.
Success in logistics can result in lower operating costs, higher production rates, and increased supplier and customer satisfaction—all of which directly benefit a business’s bottom line. This makes logistics management both an in-demand and financially rewarding career path. If you have a knack for numbers and organization, then read on to learn how to become a logistics manager.
Logistics managers are supply chain experts who oversee purchasing, shipping, and operations related to supply chain management. They’re excellent negotiators, organizers, and problem-solvers who use their skills to coordinate essential operations in a business.
This role varies significantly from company to company and from industry to industry. For instance, there are logistics managers who are responsible for transportation logistics and don't have any duties related to inventory management or supply chain operations. Meanwhile, other logistics managers deal only with inventory management or purchasing.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Logistics Manager Do?
Logistics managers handle the movement and storage of supplies in a company. They must predict how much inventory will be needed and when it will be needed in order to meet the expectations of both their company and their customers.
Much of logistics management involves resolving problems around transporting supplies, forecasting inventory demand, negotiating with suppliers, finding the right materials at the right price, and handling customer issues.
A logistics manager’s duties will vary depending upon their company, its size, and its needs. In general, though, logistics managers perform many of the same core functions within a business, including:
- Managing levels of stock, delivery times, and delivery costs.
- Using logistics software and IT systems to streamline operations.
- Coordinating and controlling the order cycle of deliveries and ensuring that they’re in the right place, at the right time.
- Evaluating the quality of the performance of previous deliveries and assessing how they can be improved.
- Managing resources in the supply chain, evaluating whether they are effective, and coming up with solutions if needed.
- Negotiating with suppliers, retailers, manufacturers, and consumers.
- Supervising, managing, and training employees on the logistics team.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Logistics Manager?
If you're interested in becoming a logistics manager, here are some of the most common steps you’ll need to take:
Step One: Earn a bachelor’s degree. There are no logistics manager degree programs at the bachelor's degree or master's degree levels, but there are other degree pathways that can give you the knowledge you need. Most logistics managers have a bachelor’s degree in business management, supply chain management, logistics, or a related degree.
Step Two: Add to your education. If you want to stay competitive in the job market, you should strongly consider completing an MBA degree program. Many management positions will require you to have this advanced degree, and this program can prepare you with the right skills to lead a team.
Step Three: Gain relevant experience. Having experience in your industry will only add to your marketability and increase your chances of landing a job. Some logistics managers have at least three years of work experience in operations engineering, supply chain management, operations analysis, or a related field.
Best Degrees for a Logistics Manager
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Master of Business Administration
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management,...
The flexible MBA program you need, focused on business management, strategy, and leading teams:
- Time: Graduates can finish in 12 months
- Tuition: $4,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé you will learn in this program include:
- Leadership strategies
- Talent management
- Communication
- Data collection and interpretation
- Financial statements
Our competency-based model gives you an innovative learning experience you won't find anywhere else—and our MBA grads tell us they loved accelerating their program to see a faster ROI.
Technology
Data Analytics – M.S.
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:...
Lead businesses with strong analysis skills:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 20 months.
- Tuition: $4,055 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data Analytics Lifecycle
- Data Science and Advanced Analytics Applications
- Data Mining Techniques
- Machine Learning
- Data Management
Master data mining, visualization, and SQL—and lead analytics at the business of your choice.
Technology
Data Analytics – B.S.
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:...
Lean into data, and walk away with a cutting-edge online degree:
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,735 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 39 total courses in this program.
Certifications in this program at no additional cost include:
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- CompTIA Data+
- CompTIA Project+
- Udacity Nanodegree—a unique, highly recognized credential designed to prepare you for a career in data science
- MSI Change Management (Optional Certification)
- Certiprof Design Thinking Professional Certificate (Optional Certification)
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data management
- Data wrangling
- Statistical analysis
- Visualization
- Leadership and management
- Model deployment & storytelling
Business
Supply Chain and Operations Management - B.S.
This online supply chain and operations management program will prepare...
This online supply chain and operations management program will prepare you for real-world experiences in business.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish similar programs within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,575 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Detail Oriented
- Management
- Leadership
- Operations:
Business
Supply Chain Certificate – School of Business
Boost your résumé and gain valuable experience with a supply chain...
Boost your résumé and gain valuable experience with a supply chain certificate from the School of Business.
- Time: 6 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $2,500 for the certificate.
- Courses: 4 courses total in this program.
This program is designed for individuals who are ready to take their supply chain experience to the next level and become a front-line leader in their organization.
Whether you want to advance your career in this field, or you're just getting started, a supply chain certificate can help you be ready for your next career step. You'll be prepared to work in a variety of industries including:
- Startups
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Retail
- E-Commerce
Business
Leadership Certificate – School of Business
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the...
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the help of a leadership certificate from the School of Business.
- Time: 4 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $2,250 for the certificate.
- Courses: 3 courses total in this program.
This program is for emerging leaders, however this program does not require a bachelor’s degree, and provides transferable credit towards a WGU degree program.
Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, this certificate can give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:
- Finance and Banking
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Consulting
- Nonprofit
- Government
How Much Does a Logistics Manager Make?
$113,000
According to Salary.com, the average annual income for logistics managers in the United States ranges from $98,000 to $128,000 with an average salary of $113,000. A logistics manager's salary will vary based on factors such as location, industry, and experience.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
30%
Very strong. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) places the logistics manager role under the umbrella of logisticians, which is projected to grow by 30% between 2020 and 2030. About 24,500 openings for logisticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Logistics Manager Need?
Good logistics managers are highly organized people who can work effectively under tight deadlines and manage multiple moving parts at once. To succeed in this role, you'll need:
- Technical skills: There are multiple programs used in supply chain management, and you’ll need to be familiar with as many as possible, as well as comfortable learning new applications and analytics software.
- Math skills: Logistics managers are skilled at calculating supply-related costs.
- Supply chain savvy: To work in logistics, you must understand all elements of the supply chain. You'll use your logistics knowledge to spot problems and eliminate inefficiencies in the chain.
- Organization skills: The supply chain process is complex, and it takes strong organizational skills to coordinate and schedule all the moving parts.
- Analytical skills: As a logistics manager, you’ll need to be able to read and analyze data to recognize different trends and patterns.
- Adaptability: Logistics managers work in a fast-paced environment where changes happen all the time. The ability to adjust and problem-solve under pressure is key.
Many departments within a company rely on logistics managers, so their role is highly collaborative. Project managers, transportation managers, warehouse managers, operations managers, supply chain managers, and senior management are just some of the people that logistics managers work with on a daily basis.
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