How Can You Succeed As a Logistics Manager?

The term logistics management refers to the supply management chain which controls the flow of information right from the point from where manufacturing/supply chain starts to the point where it ends. Logistics and materials management involves taking care of flow of goods to ensure efficient functioning of the supply chain.

Logistics also involve distribution of manufactured products to end customers. Logistics form an important part of manufacturing units and businesses. The costs involved in logistics and distribution is a quite a significant percentage of the overall cost of the product. Efficient operations result in enhancing business profitability and this is why a well-experienced and qualified logistics manager is required.

Job Profile of a Logistics Manager



Logistics managers are responsible for inventory management, warehousing, financial control of logistics performance and strategic planning. Take a look at more roles of a logistics manager:

• Analyzing the current work flow and planning improvements
• Managing the order cycle and movement of goods
• Responsible for ensuring that the staff at the warehouse is well trained
• Negotiating pricing in the best interest of the company
• Managing logistics, inventory and activities related to material flow Dealing with suppliers or material vendors and procuring inventory at competitive prices
• Coordinating activities of personnel engaged in purchasing and distributing raw materials, overhead/expense items and maintenance supplies
• Supervising production-planning activities for effective production scheduling
• Ensuring compliance with business policies, procedures, and Code of Conduct
• Evaluating and implementing processes, strategies and technological solutions to attain performance objectives.
• Ensuring the execution and continuous improvement of standard logistics processes
• Monitoring the storage of goods maintaining quality and quantity and cost
• Meeting different people to get new contracts for their company
• Hiring new staff members and manage them according to the arising needs
• Maintain accounts and ensure that the work is carried out within the allotted budget
• Looking after the health and safety issues for all the staff members

Requirements

Academic

To be a logistics manager BS/BA degree in business, logistics or related field is required. MBA is also preferred. Additional knowledge on the subjects like transport, science geography, information systems and logistics can be of advantage offering you an edge over the competitors.


As a logistic manager a person must possess the following skills to be successful in this field.

• Good time management skills
• Must possess good oral and written communication skills
• Must have good logical ability to work systematically
• Excellent problem solving skills and good decision making skills are must because this job is such that a person will need to make immediate decisions
• If the logistics manager has mathematical knowledge it will help him to a great extent
• They must be comfortable working with different electronics instruments.
• Logistics manager must be self motivated and must show positive attitude towards work
• Negotiation skills are very important to finalize profitable deal

The new comers who join as a logistics manager can acquire ample training while at work. Most of the large companies offer training to the graduates so that they can properly understand the task and perform it aptly. The training may last between eighteen months to two years.

Professional training form the following institutes can be an added advantage.

• The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) UK
• The Institute of Operations Management (IOM)
• The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS)
• The Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM)

Relevant prior work experience involving areas like warehousing, retail, administration, storage, can be advantageous and easy to obtain as well. At an advanced stage in the career this experience can come in handy for trouble shooting.

Employment Outlook

Career Prospects (globally)

Due to the rapid progress in the industry, there have been huge career development opportunities for logistics manager. Logistic market is expanding at a rapid rate all around the world. Initially a logistics manager has to work with goods distribution, looking after the management of the storage center and maintaining contacts with the customers. After sufficient work experience logistics managers are promoted for general management of the larger units in the company and are offered specialized roles.

The average salary offered to a logistics manager is around $74,000. But this can vary depending on the type of experience, position offered in the company, size of the company and your education qualification. Some company also provide bonus to their employees depending on the work pressure and responsibilities taken care of.

The typical nature of work and responsibilities of a logistics manager keep varying on the basis of the particular job role he or she is attributed with and the filed the employing company indulges in. Depending on the fact whether the employing company is a retailer, a manufacturer or a specialist service provider, the responsibilities may be decided accordingly.