Logistics Manager

Logistics, transportation operations managers plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate the operations of transportation companies such as railways, airlines, bus lines, municipal transit systems, shipping lines and trucking companies, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager. Transportation managers, freight traffic plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate companies or departments responsible for the transportation and movement of goods, under the direction of a general manager or other senior manager.

They are employed by transportation, freight forwarding and shipping companies and by transportation departments of companies in retail and manufacturing sectors and utilities. They provide a link between manufacturers and consumers. Businesses, and occasionally individuals, contract with trucking and warehousing companies to pick up, transport, store, and deliver a variety of goods. This industry includes three segments: general freight trucking; specialized freight trucking, and warehousing and storage.

Logistics and transportation managers work across generational and gender categories, with varying skill-levels and seniority in their specific roles and functions and have responsibility for the following:

• Planning, organization, directing, controlling and evaluating the operations of a transportation company
• Those who set operations policies and standards, including determination of safety procedures for the handling of dangerous goods, and ensure compliance with transport regulations
• Oversee dispatch of vehicles, vessels or aircraft
• Control the company or departmental budget, including acquisitions
• Monitor company's or department's performance, prepare reports for senior management, and plan for changes to schedules and policies
• Recruit personnel and oversee their training.
• Transportation managers, freight traffic perform some or all of the following duties:
• Plan, organize, direct, control and evaluate companies or departments responsible for coordinating, arranging and monitoring the transportation and movement of goods
• Arrange for shipping documentation and oversee the scheduling and dispatching of goods and the tracking and tracing of goods in transit
• Set performance goals, oversee the setting of transportation service rates and monitor revenue
• Develop plans and procedures for the transportation and storage of goods
• Negotiate with carriers, warehouse operators and insurance company representatives for services and preferential rates
• Control the departmental budget
• Recruit personnel and oversee their training.

Manager, Director and Executive levels, as well as logistic coordinators, administrators and other related workers compete in this environment. Moving of goods, people and service delivery is increasingly becoming important for and because of the globalized economy and growth of e-commerce. Traditional roles will adapt and new ones evolve in the field, so career-competitions will continue for limited opportunities, but growth is estimated to occur for the profession as a whole.

Business activity in the industry is prone to rise and fall, all with upswings and downturns in the economy. Safety is a major concern of the truck transportation and warehousing industry. For managerial jobs in the truck transportation and warehousing industry, employers prefer persons with bachelor's degrees in business, marketing, accounting, industrial relations, or economics.

Good communication, problem solving, and analytical skills are valuable in entry-level jobs. Some college graduates and persons without a college degree, enter sales or administrative positions typically. Marketing and sales workers must be familiar with their firm's products and services and have strong communication skills.

Logistics and Transportation associations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management Associations - for example, below are a couple for your reference:

APICS--The Educational Society for Resource Management a global leader in professional certifications, educational programs, and publications for manufacturing and service industry professionals.

Council of Logistics Management (CLM)

Institute of Logistics and Transport

International Warehouse Logistics Association (IWLA)

Logistics Execution Systems Association (LESA)

SCOR Supply Chain Council

Supply Chain Council (SCOR)

The Council of Logistics Management

The Logistics Association of Australia (LAA)

Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC)

A bachelor's degree in business administration or engineering is usually required. Several years of experience in transportation operations are usually required, including supervisory experience. Extensive experience as a supervisor and operator in a particular transport mode, such as a pilot, train engineer, vessel master or truck driver, may substitute for formal education. Certification as an operator of a particular mode of transportation, such as commercial pilot, vessel master or truck driver, is usually required.

To work as a transportation manager - freight traffic, completion of secondary school is required. A college diploma or university degree in business or transportation administration may be required. Several years of clerical, operational or administrative experience related to freight traffic are required. There is little or no mobility between transportation managers, operations and transportation managers, freight traffic. There is little or no mobility between transportation managers of land, sea and air transportation operations.

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