OVERVIEW
What is a Logistics Manager?
Ever wonder how the products you order online travel thousands of miles to arrive right on your doorstep? Logistics management made that happen. In today’s on-demand marketplace, efficient logistics can determine whether a company thrives or falls behind its competitors.
So, what exactly is logistics? It’s the movement of inventory from point A to point B—and logistics managers oversee that process. These professionals design cost-efficient strategies for transporting goods across logistics networks while maintaining the right balance between supply and customer demand.
As the supply chain experts in charge of purchasing, shipping, and other operations related to supply chain management, logistics managers are excellent negotiators, organizers, and problem-solvers. Their specific duties can vary widely depending on the company and industry. For example, a logistics manager in a retail company may focus on coordinating warehouse operations and shipping schedules, while one in manufacturing oversees raw material sourcing and production logistics.
Success in logistics can result in lower operating costs, higher production rates, and increased supplier and customer satisfaction—all of which directly benefit a company’s bottom line. This makes logistics management both an in-demand and financially rewarding career path.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Logistics Manager Do?
Logistics managers handle the movement and storage of supplies in a company, coordinating the flow of materials, products, and information across every stage of the supply chain. They predict how much inventory will be needed—and when—in order to meet the expectations of both their company and their customers.
Much of logistics management involves solving problems related to transportation, forecasting inventory demand, negotiating with suppliers, sourcing materials at the best price, and handling customer issues as they arise.
Because every organization’s needs are different, logistics manager duties can vary based on company size, structure, and industry. In general, however, most logistics managers share a similar set of core responsibilities, including:
- Managing stock levels, delivery schedules, and delivery costs.
- Using logistics software and IT systems to streamline operations.
- Coordinating and monitoring the order cycle of deliveries to ensure they arrive in the right place at the right time.
- Evaluating the performance quality of previous deliveries and identifying areas for improvement.
- Managing supply chain resources, assessing their effectiveness, and recommending solutions.
- Negotiating with suppliers, retailers, manufacturers, and customers.
- Upholding ethical standards, ensuring transparency, fairness, and sustainability in sourcing, transportation, and vendor relationships.
Supervising, managing, and training employees on the logistics team.
As logistics professionals gain experience, they often advance into senior roles such as supply chain director or operations executive, where strategic decision-making and cross-department collaboration become even more critical.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Logistics Manager?
If you're interested in entering the field of logistics management, here are some of the most common steps you’ll need to take:
Step 1: Earn a bachelor’s degree. While there aren’t specific logistics manager degree programs, logistics managers typically have a bachelor’s degree in business management, supply chain management, or a related field. Coursework in operations management, data analytics, procurement, and transportation systems can provide a strong foundation for understanding real-world logistics challenges.
Step 2: Add to your education. To stay competitive in the job market, consider earning a Master in Business Administration (MBA) degree to strengthen your leadership, decision-making, and strategic management skills. Many management positions require candidates to have this advanced degree.
Step 3: Gain relevant experience. Having industry experience adds to your marketability and increases your chances of landing a job in logistics management. The role typically requires 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.
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: $3,830 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: $4,805 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 – B.S.
Pair analytics expertise with AI innovation and drive measurable value...
Pair analytics expertise with AI innovation and drive measurable value with data insights.
- Time: 62% of graduates finish within 36 months.
- Tuition and fees: $3,875 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
Technology
Data Analytics – M.S.
Lead businesses with advanced data analytics and AI-relevant skills:...
Lead businesses with advanced data analytics and AI-relevant skills:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 20 months.
- Tuition: $4,565 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 11 total courses in this program.
This program consists of three specialization areas which allow you to gain specific experience and skills that will benefit your future career. You can choose from data science, data engineering, and decision process engineering specializations to enhance your degree.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Data Modeling
- Big Data
- Business Intelligence
- Data Quality
- SQL
- Python
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: $3,830 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
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: $1,125 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
Business
Supply Chain Fundamentals 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 fundamentals 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 fundamentals 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
Technology
Data Engineering Professional Certificate - School of Technology
The Data Engineering Professional Certificate equips professionals with...
The Data Engineering Professional Certificate equips professionals with the essential technical competencies to process, store, and analyze massive datasets across cloud environments.
- Time: 7 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $3,500 for the certificate.
- Courses: 3 courses total in this program.
This certificate program is tailored for professionals with a background in data analytics, cloud computing, or IT who want to expand their expertise and advance their career in data engineering.. This certificate will prepare you for the next step in your career.
This certificate can help advance your skills in data processing, cloud enviroments, data analytics, and more for a long-term career in their industry.
How Much Does a Logistics Manager Make?
$112,275
According to Salary.com, the average annual income for logistics managers in the United States ranges from $90,000 to $138,000 with an average salary of $112,275.* A logistics manager salary will vary based on factors such as location, industry, and experience.
*As of November 2025
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
17%
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 17% between 2024 and 2034. About 26,400 openings for logisticians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. This growth is fueled by expanding e-commerce, more complex supply chains, and new technologies that demand skilled logistics professionals.
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Logistics Manager Need?
Good logistics managers are highly organized professionals who can work effectively under tight deadlines and manage multiple moving parts at once. To succeed in this role, you'll need:
- Technical skills. Familiarity with logistics and supply chain management programs, and the ability to learn new systems as technology evolves.
- Math skills. Strong numerical skills for calculating costs, analyzing budgets, and managing supply-related expenses.
- Supply chain savvy. A clear understanding of how each part of the supply chain works together so you can identify problems and eliminate inefficiencies.
- Organizational skills. The ability to coordinate and schedule all of the moving parts of a complex supply chain and keep operations on track.
- Analytical skills. An understanding of how to read and analyze data, recognize trends, and anticipate challenges.
- Adaptability. The flexibility to pivot and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment.
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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