what is a logistics manager?
As a logistics manager, you play a crucial role in maintaining and managing the company's inventory. While overseeing the distribution of products in the supply chain may seem like a simple process, in reality, it requires complex procedures.
For example, if you work in a shoe manufacturing factory, you need to procure all the raw materials, such as fabrics, rubber, and plastic. These raw materials come from various suppliers, and it is your responsibility to communicate with them to ensure timely delivery of the products.
In the field of supply chain management, it is important to find a balance between cost and benefit. For instance, if you ordered a larger quantity of raw materials with the initial aim of reducing transportation costs, it is highly likely that you will later incur storage costs to maintain the excess quantities in good condition. Your role as a logistics manager is to optimize the organization and management of the supply chain to ensure that the company has the desired amount of necessary materials at the right time while keeping costs low.
The responsibilities of a logistics manager span a wide field, making it essential to possess excellent multitasking skills to handle different tasks simultaneously, ensuring the completion of supply chain operations. As a logistics manager, your goal is the smooth operation of the supply chain, which is crucial for the success of the company.
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
The average salary of a logistics manager in Greece is €40,000 per year. Your earnings are shaped by factors such as your level of specialization and years of experience. You can start your career as a Logistics Assistant and take home about €19.600 yearly, but as you gain more experience, knowledge, and qualifications, your salary increases, and it is likely that your earnings could reach approximately €48,500 annually.
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:
- Logistics Strategy Design and Implementation: Development and execution of strategies related to inventory management, storage, transportation, and product distribution.
- Inventory Management: Overseeing and managing stock to ensure the right balance between supply and demand, avoiding both overstocking and understocking.
- Transportation Coordination: Organizing and optimizing the transportation process, including selecting appropriate carriers, monitoring costs, and ensuring timely delivery.
- Warehouse Management: Supervising warehouse operations such as organizing storage spaces, receiving and dispatching goods, and managing the efficiency of processes.
- Supplier and Partner Management: Ensuring effective communication and collaboration with suppliers, customers, and other key partners.
- Cost Optimization: Analyzing and optimizing costs related to transportation, storage, and other logistics functions with the aim of reducing expenses and improving efficiency.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring that all logistics processes comply with local and international regulations and standards, such as product safety, environmental sustainability, and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.
- Use of Technology: Utilizing IT systems and automation to improve supply chain tracking and data analysis for decision-making.
- Collaboration with Other Departments: Working with departments like sales, production, and customer service to ensure the smooth operation of the supply chain.
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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.
