what is a logistics manager?
As a logistics manager, you help your employer maintain inventory levels and ensure there are enough raw materials for production activities. Overseeing the purchase and distribution of items in a supply chain sounds simple, but it involves complex processes. For instance, if you work in a manufacturing plant for shoes, you source all the raw materials, including cloth, rubber and plastic. These come from various suppliers and should be ordered on precise schedules to avoid production delays. Apart from raw materials, you also source packaging items, like boxes and labels.
In logistics, it is important to find a balance between costs and benefits. For instance, you incur warehousing expenses if you order excess raw materials to minimise transportation expenses. Your role as a logistics manager is to optimise the supply chain to ensure your employer has the right amount of what they need and at the appropriate time to keep costs low. Due to the broad scope of the role, you need exceptional multitasking skills to juggle various tasks and ensure supply chain functions get accomplished.
Would working as a logistics manager suit your creative problem-solving ability? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a logistics manager role.
logistics manager jobsaverage logistics manager salary
According to the Economic Research Institute, the average earnings of a logistics manager in Greece is €40,000 per year. Your average hourly rate is €19. The salary range depends on your seniority level and expertise. When you work in a junior logistics manager position, you start with a salary of approximately €27,500 annually. With the highest level of education and experience, you can earn about €48,500 per year.
what factors affect the salary of a logistics manager?
Your compensation package fluctuates based on various internal and external factors. Some of the internal factors influencing your salary include work experience, education and competencies. When you are new to the role, you have minimal experience. After working for a couple of years in logistics, you have more skills and expertise, which improves your earnings.
External factors that affect your earnings include the company's size, industry type and location. When you work as a logistics manager in a manufacturing company, the scope of your duties differs from working in warehouses. The size of the company also affects your earning potential. When you work in a large organisation, you are likely to earn more due to the higher number of available resources.
types of logistics managers
The main types of logistics managers include:
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inbound logistics managers
As a logistics manager, your main focus is on the incoming flow of resources needed to produce products or services. Your responsibilities in inbound logistics are to manage suppliers' inventories and ensure transportation schedules are aligned with production schedules to prevent delays.
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outbound logistics managers
As an outbound logistics manager, you focus on delivering products to consumers on time. You ensure the finished products are packaged and dispatched on time to meet customers' delivery schedules. You also maintain inventory in warehouses.
working as a logistics manager
Logistics managers are responsible for organising the company's deliveries and the storage of various commodities. You also manage inventory, negotiate contracts with suppliers, and ensure you do not purchase budgets.
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what does a logistics manager do?
Common tasks of a logistics manager include:
- Managing the flow of incoming raw materials and outgoing products: as a logistics manager, you control the flow of incoming raw materials and the distribution of finished products. You optimise distribution channels and create plans to ensure delivery schedules align with production plans.
- Budgeting and costing: logistics managers control supply chain costs. Your job is to negotiate favourable prices with suppliers and shipping costs. You create a budget for supply chain functions and minimise shipping expenses by building lasting working relationships with suppliers, retailers and carriers.
- Supervising shipping operations: as a logistics manager, you work with delivery drivers and carriers to optimise shipping functions. You focus on route optimisation and reviewing the performance metrics of each shipping method. You are also responsible for shipping equipment, such as forklifts and trucks. Hence, you should adhere to health and safety standards and ensure operational costs match the budget. You also promptly communicate emergencies and logistical concerns to the relevant stakeholders.
- Maintaining the inventory: the primary role of a logistics manager revolves around inventory management. You keep records of inbound and outbound products or raw materials. You also track stock levels, delivery times, transport efficiency and budgets. When inventory and stock levels don't tally, you check shipping reports and audit the inventory accounts.
- Supervising and training warehouse workers: as a logistics manager, your role also involves coaching and monitoring the performance of your workforce. For improved productivity, you train workers and address warehouse safety hazards. You also supervise the workers to ensure they adhere to safe industrial practices.
- Introducing safety procedures: warehouse environments need safety procedures to minimise accidents and injuries. As a logistics manager, you ensure safety protocols are in place and that employees follow them. For instance, you implement emergency procedures and train workers in handling hazardous materials. You also ensure compliance with occupational safety and health (OSHA) regulations.
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work environment of a logistics manager
A typical workday of a logistics manager revolves around solving transportation problems and dealing with customers' concerns. You perform these functions in warehouses, on shop floors or within manufacturing settings. Warehouse work environments are climate-controlled and well-lit to keep products or raw materials fresh and ready for shipping. In indoor office settings, you mainly work on your computer, preparing reports or updating inventory management systems. You also spend considerable time off-site visiting clients or suppliers and negotiating shipping contracts.
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who are your colleagues?
As a logistics manager, you are likely to work alongside warehouse managers, warehouse workers and inventory specialists. You also collaborate with logistics coordinators, supply chain directors and dispatchers. Other professionals you may work with include factory supervisors, operations managers and product managers.
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logistics manager work schedule
The work schedule of a logistics manager depends on the employment terms. For instance, if you work on a full-time contract, your work takes over 40 hours a week. Since logistics is a 24-hour operation, you may work shift schedules to keep up with delivery schedules and shipping times. Companies that need on-site logistics managers tend to have shift schedules. Part-time logistics manager positions are rare, but you can find some vacancies. If you're not responsible for inspecting goods on arrival, finding remote work is also possible.
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career opportunities as a logistics manager
As a logistics manager, you have promising career prospects and opportunities for growth in your field. If you want to scale upwards, consider becoming a supply chain manager, where you'll be in charge of managing all aspects of supply chain processes, including logistics. You can also become an operations manager or product manager. Some logistics managers specialise in transportation or warehouse management.
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advantages of finding a job as a logistics manager through randstad
Working with Randstad offers you a range of benefits.
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- a range of jobs in your area
logistics manager skills and education
You require the following educational qualifications to excel as a logistics manager in Greece:
- Education: pursue a bachelor’s degree in business management and choose a specialisation, such as logistics management or supply chain management. The degree course teaches you fundamental logistics and supply chain planning principles.
- Work experience: you require extensive experience in logistics to become a logistics manager. Hence, consider internships and entry-level roles to improve your supply chain knowledge and leadership skills. You should also get certification from the Hellenic Institute for Logistics Management (HILME) by passing the necessary exams. European Logistics Association certifications are recognised internationally and available in three levels: EJLog Operational/junior level, ESLog Managerial/senior level and EMLog Strategic/master level.
competencies and characteristics of logistics managers
Logistics managers will find the following skills valuable:
- Problem-solving skills: as the head of the logistics team, you deal with multiple challenges, from daily delivery details and shipping restrictions to the shortage of storage space. Exceptional problem-solving skills will help you balance time limitations and resolve problems before they affect the supply chain.
- Organisational skills: as a logistics manager, you need organisational skills to keep up with delivery schedules and inventory records. Having detailed records and reports documenting warehouse activities makes your job manageable, as you can use the records as reference points.
- Flexibility: sometimes, logistics activities fall off schedule, and your job is to ensure the delay doesn't affect other logistic events. Flexibility helps you adapt to changing situations and rework your plans.
- Leadership skills: as a logistics manager, you are a leader and should inspire and motivate your team. It is also crucial to understand the value of each worker to ensure you utilise their skills appropriately.
- Adaptability: you require adaptability to handle delays in delivery schedules and minimise chances of production delays. Your adaptability helps you rework schedules to fit the established delivery time frames.
- Business communication skills: as a logistics manager, you collaborate with product vendors, clients, suppliers and the logistics team. You are expected to stay in close contact with various professionals and build working relationships. You require good business communication skills to communicate with various professionals.
FAQs
Here, you will find the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the profession of logistics manager.
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what are the duties of a logistics manager?
As a logistics manager, you are in charge of transporting finished products and raw materials from the factory to users. You create working supply chain systems to ensure an efficient flow of products and raw materials.
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how many hours do logistics managers work in Greece?
As a logistics manager, you may work during the day in some companies or operate on shift schedules in busy industries, such as manufacturing. However, you work an average of 8 hours a day, that means you work 40 hours a week in full-time positions.
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is logistics manager a stressful job?
Working in logistics can be quite stressful since you work in a high-pressure environment. You have strict schedules and work under pressure to ensure seamless movement in the supply chain. Having good organisational skills helps you manage stress levels.
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is logistics manager a good career?
Working in logistics is a promising career since meeting logistical needs is a crucial part of any business. Your skills are always in high demand, and you have numerous opportunities for growth in various industries.
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how can I be a good logistics manager?
To be a successful logistics manager, you need exceptional planning and organisational skills. Having the right transportation management and technology skills comes in handy, particularly for managing fleets and keeping up with delivery schedules.
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how do I find a job as a logistics manager?
Finding a job near you as a logistics manager is easy. Search our job offers. Have you found what you're looking for? Then submit your application using the ‘Apply’ button top right on the page. No jobs available right now? Then log in or register an account to send us your resume and we'll pass it on to a recruiter who will contact you if an opportunity opens up for you.
