Logistics Manager Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

The logistics manager is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the organization’s logistics operations. This includes ensuring that goods are efficiently and cost-effectively transported to and from suppliers and customers, as well as maintaining inventory levels and tracking shipping costs. The logistics manager also develops and oversees procedures for receiving, storing, and shipping goods. In addition, this position will oversee warehouse staff and ensure that all operations are conducted according to company standards. The ideal candidate for this job should have a degree in supply chain management or a related field and 10+ years of experience managing and developing procedures for an organization’s logistics department. The ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, as well as excellent communication skills, are also essential to success in this role.

Typical duties and responsibilities

• Manage and maintain accurate inventory in warehouses
• Nurture relationships with clients and product suppliers
• Negotiate shipping rates and arrangements with product carriers
• Create and maintain schedules for inbound and outbound shipments
• Direct the flow of an organization’s materials and products
• Manage and mentor team members
• Collaborate with other departments to implement logistical improvements

Education and experience

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in business management, logistics, or another related field.

Required skills and qualifications

• Organizational and communication skills
• Aptitude for counting and inventory management
• Managerial and business management skills
• Excellent adaptability and leadership skills

Preferred qualifications

• Ability to build trustworthy relationships with customers at all levels 
• Experience in business process review and analysis, managing departmental and project budgets
• Experience in leading a group of team members with effective leadership
• 10+ years of managing a team

Transfers

• Chooses the appropriate and most efficient method of transfer based on business and customer needs
• Creates, manages, and tracks transfer orders, end to end, of materials and roasters with logistics partners via LCL, FCL, LTL, and FTL
• Ensures execution of transfers are performed prioritizing quality, time, and budget
• Communicates effectively with stakeholders at origin and destination to ensure alignment
• Confirms all info is correct, organizes, and files shipping notices and BOLs
• For material inbounds, proactively follows up with logistics partners to confirm the status of pending transfers and communicates to Procurement and Warehouse internal partners, to support a 3-way match
• For roasters, proactively follows up with logistics partners to confirm the status of pending transfers and communicates to CX internal partners
• End-to-end management of import/export process and documentation
• End-to-end management of all logistics-related claims

Vendor management

• Strategic sourcing of logistics vendors; evaluate, qualify, and choose vendors
• Sources primary, secondary, and tertiary logistics partners to mitigate risk and benchmark performance and costs, negotiate costs
• Builds and maintains relationships with logistics partners to ensure quality, timeliness, and cost-effective service
• Serves as the liaison between the company and logistics partners on all transfer-related activities, reconciliations, and quality management
• Create and track scorecards for logistics partners; on quality, on time, costs for common lanes, etc
• Leads recourse activities in the event of transfer nonconformance

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations, Business Analytics, Economics, related field, or equivalent
• 5+ years in a manufacturing/CPG environment, including a working knowledge of logistics (Incoterms, Import/Export, LCL, FCL, LTL, FTL), and systems
• Experience in computer and software applications, including knowledge of shipping software (e.g. Fed Ex, UPS), database/ERP/inventory systems (Netsuite, Salesforce, Jira), Google suite, MS Office suite, and working knowledge of landed cost calculations
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Strong attention to detail, multitasking, and creative problem-solving skills
• Team player with a strong ability to build and maintain relationships
• Ability to perform measurements and mathematical operations
• Bias towards action and ability to thrive in a quickly-evolving, fast-paced environment

Physical demands

• Must be able to lift a minimum of 40 lbs
• At times, will be required to go into various areas of the facility; office, lab, and manufacturing, subject to temp and humidity changes
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods throughout the workday

Who you are

You are a confident communicator and excel at solving problems in real time. You understand how to work with many different personalities. You strive to foster a positive and inclusive work environment. You ask questions and dig deep to find the answers you are looking for. You take information and make informed decisions. You are always looking for opportunities to improve. You are looking for a challenge!

Responsibilities

• Strategically plan and manage the East Coast Logistics team and functions, ensuring successful operations
• Work in collaboration with the Production and Warehouse teams to ensure continuous process improvement and success in all Logistics departmental functions including delivery windows and fulfillment
• Manage timesheets, reimbursements, report cards, and related data required for accurate payroll for regional delivery drivers
• Monitor that all documentation including spreadsheets and databases is up to date with accurate information
• Work in collaboration with Talent Acquisition and People Operations to facilitate recruitment processes, onboarding, and orientation for new team members with a focus on retention
• Develop and coach departmental Dispatchers and Logistics Supervisors to continuously improve team performance
• Reinforce the structure of the East Coast team by helping to identify and establish new SOPs and key metrics
• Remain in compliance with all SOPs and regulations to ensure operational success
• Identify equipment and team needs, and ensure quick communication to escalate and solve
• Develop new strategies to streamline processes and reduce cost
• Collaborate with business partners in the Operations team including Warehouse and Production departments to ensure the successful delivery of products
• Must be willing to get your hands dirty, work alongside the team, and prioritize against tight deadlines

Safety and job standards

• Maintain and adhere to COVID-19 Policy compliance
• Maintain and adhere to OSHA and Food Safety compliance
• Provide real-time feedback to all direct reports on a consistent basis
• Commit to workplace safety and ensure safe business practices for employees and customers
• Foster an inclusive and respectful work environment for employees and customers, and promptly works to resolve any issues in collaboration with People Operations
• Engage in respectful and positive communication organizational-wide
• Create a growth-oriented workplace where all staff are set up to succeed and grow individually as well as feel empowered to improve the overall operations of the company
• Promote a 100% mentality, building a team that is focused on continuous improvement in both process and outcome
• Must be willing to embrace change and provide insight regarding new processes. You will be empowered to bring new innovative concepts to life on an ongoing basis!

Qualifications

• Minimum 2+ years of related Logistics management experience, ideally with working knowledge of last-mile delivery operations
• Experience with and understanding of company expansion efforts from a holistic growth perspective preferred
• A tech-savvy approach and comfortability and proficiency using multiple platforms including G-Suite, Slack, Dispatch, and Routing Software
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; must be a team player and interested in continuously developing leadership skills
• A dynamic personality & maintains grace under pressure
• Basic mechanical skills to make emergency repairs and/or manage the maintenance of facilities
• Strong organizational, multitasking, and communication skills
• A deadline-driven approach while maintaining attention to detail and quality of service

Essential duties

• Manage the performance of salaried employees as well as hourly paid employees under their responsibility, resolve performance issues, and ensure compliance with policies and procedures
• Collaborate with senior management and customers to determine their needs and expectations and operate the account to meet those demands
• Be responsible for the payroll of employees
• Analyze weekly and monthly P&L statements to determine account profitability, and provide financial data and weekly operations reports to senior management
• Be responsible for accounts payable, vendor quotes for purchased materials, and customer invoicing
• Hold Safety & Security meetings, provide safety training, and ensure compliance with safety regulations

Additional responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned
• Must be available to work on a flexible schedule on the various work shifts

Skills and abilities

• Builds and manages effective teams
• Strong leadership and motivating skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Bilingual, English and French (for Quebec locations only)
• Effective interpersonal skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills within a diverse team environment
• Demonstrates problem-solving skills
• Demonstrates analytical skills
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to prioritize, structure, and schedule tasks to maximize effort and meet deadlines
• Must be computer literate and able to use the Microsoft Office Suite (Excel and Word required)
• Excellent knowledge of Transportation and/or Warehouse Logistics operations advanced required
• Excellent knowledge of safety and security requirements advanced required

Qualifications

• H.S. diploma/GED required
• Bachelor’s degree in business, logistics, or supply chain preferred
• Three (3) years or more relevant experience in the supply chain, logistics, warehouse, or industry-related field required
• Two (2) years or more managing and leading direct reports required
• Excellent knowledge of Transportation and/or Warehouse Logistics operations advanced required
• Excellent knowledge of safety and security requirements. advanced required