Logistics manager skills and functions

People with a logistics background can work in many different industries such as manufacturing, retail, warehousing, transportation and more. Currently, being a logistics manager means facing important challenges that can determine the success of a company. This also means that being a logistics manager is one of the most in-demand jobs in the world. This is why 31% of large companies consider that they have difficulty finding candidates with the necessary skills to fill positions in the logistics area. The demand for this position and the challenges that are faced can sometimes be overwhelming, so it is important to know what your responsibilities will be, how to deal with them, and where you might find opportunities for growth within your field.

Functions of the Logistics Manager

The logistics manager is responsible for managing the movement, storage, distribution logistics and organization of products and materials throughout the entire supply chain. To achieve this, the main functions of the logistics manager that he must fulfill are:

• Ensure that the logistical measures are the most appropriate. It is also your duty to carry out corrective work so that the supply chain works in the best possible way.
• Designing and implementing a transportation system that meets both safety requirements and customer needs
• Optimize logistics processes, especially those related to transportation, in order to reduce mobilization times and logistics costs.
• Adopt the necessary technologies to control comprehensive logistics in stages as crucial as last mile delivery solutions.
• Supervise the processes of unloading, warehouse management, stock, and dispatch of products.
• Warehouse performance optimization through WMS systems
• Stock control through storage systems or WMS

What is the most valuable skill to have as a logistics manager?

To properly perform all of their duties, the logistics manager must possess the necessary attitudes and skills to respond to work in a proactive and professional manner. In this sense, some of the skills of an effective and efficient logistics manager are the following:

Logistics Manager Hard Skills :

Also called hard skills, it refers to the knowledge and experience that a person has regarding a specific area of ​​work. The main hard skills of the logistics manager are:

• Knowledge of the area: it is not only about the studies completed, but also the knowledge constantly acquired about the trends in the logistics industry. As a result, the logistics manager can give new solutions and keep the organization ahead of the competition.

• Process coordination: a good logistics manager must know how to synchronize all processes through human talent. For this, he must act as an operations coordinator guiding his team through strategic instructions and making specific observations.

• Strategic planning: the logistics manager must know how to project the company into the future through strategic planning. For this, it is necessary to develop specific goals and objectives to be met in the short, medium, or long term.

• Ability to monitor freight movements in real time : a good logistics manager is responsible for the efficient, cost-effective movement of freight from one location to another.

Logistics Manager soft skills :

Also called soft skills, it refers to the attitudes and social skills that a person has to assume the position. The main soft skills of the logistics manager are:

• Leadership: The logistics manager must encourage his team to work together to meet goals. This implies motivating, participating in all the effort made, knowing how to listen and assigning responsibilities correctly.

• Responsibility: If something goes wrong or if a goal is not met, the logistics manager must be prepared to assume the consequences, solve them and learn from them.

• Interpersonal skills: The logistics manager must know how to deal with all types of people, from those with the lowest positions to the highest positions such as the director of operations. Dealing with others must be professional, but you must also earn the trust of your team to generate synergy in achieving goals.

What are the Challenges of being a Logistics Manager?

Logistics managers are faced with a number of challenges each day. They need to constantly be aware of what is happening with the back end of the supply chain, which includes everything from warehousing to delivery.

• Keeping track of all the information related to a product’s distribution
• Managing various resources, such as labor, equipment, and transportation
• Determining how best to use these resources in order to meet customer demand while minimizing costs

How do I prepare for a logistics interview?

Preparing for logistics interviews is a lot like preparing for any other interview. You need to research the company and the position, prepare questions to ask, and dress appropriately.

BECOME A LOGISTICS MANAGER

The logistics industry is booming and will continue to grow in the future.

The logistics process is a fundamental aspect in any company. For this reason, the logistics manager has become the person in charge of increasing logistics efficiency in order to reduce costs without losing quality in the final product and, as a consequence, increase final profits.

You might also like to read about : Logistics Interview Question

Conclusion: The future of Logistics depends on managers who can handle complex challenges.

No one can predict what the future of logistics will be like, as this is an important job, but it is also a difficult one because of the complexity of the task logistics managers face. Logistics has been a key player in the growth of global trade.

“The future of logistics depends on people who are able to handle complex challenges and innovate solutions to problems that have yet to arise.”