Logistics and distribution manager

Logistics and distribution managers take decisions on logistic services, operations and provisions. They take internal and external variables into consideration for effective and successful organisational logistic services. They give appropriate support to all the activities of the supply chain from the beginning to the end. These professionals organise the storage and distribution of goods and ensure that the right products are delivered to the right location on time and at a good cost.

The following job titles also refer to logistics and distribution manager:

logistics and distribution director
logistics director
logistics coordinator
distribution & logistics manager
logistics & distribution manager
director of logistics and distribution
manager of logistics and distribution
distribution logistics manager
distribution coordinator
distribution and logistics manager
logistics supply chain coordinator
supply chain logistics manager
logistics manager
logistics operations manager

High school diploma is generally required to work as logistics and distribution manager. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Logistics and distribution manager is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to logistics and distribution manager.

logistics analyst
warehouse manager
maritime water transport general manager
zoo registrar
agricultural machinery and equipment distribution manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of logistics and distribution manager. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of logistics and distribution manager with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of logistics and distribution manager.

Warehouse operations: Know the basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage. Understand and satisfy customer needs and requirements while effectively utilising warehouse equipment, space and labour.
Regulations for international transportation: Know the relevant regulations and legislation that applies to transportation of national or foreign cargo or passengers to and from different countries via vessels or aircraft.
Safety regulations for warehouses: The body of warehouse safety procedures and regulations to prevent incidents and hazards. Follow safety regulations and inspect equipment.
Freight transport methods: Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of that modality.
Types of packaging used in industrial shipments: Know various types of packaging materials used for industrial shipments, according to the type of goods to be shipped. Comply with regulations on packaging of goods.
E-commerce systems: Basic digital architecture and commercial transactions for trading products or services conducted via Internet, e-mail, mobile devices, social media, etc.
Supply chain management: The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.
Goods transported from warehouse facilities: Know the goods transported from warehouse facilities. Understand the legal and safety requirements of goods, the hazards that materials may represent; provide solutions and appropriate direction for the handling of goods.

These skills are necessary for the role of logistics and distribution manager.

Coordinate dock operations: Coordinate cargo shipments in and out of dock. Position cranes and arrange containers into shipments, taking into account the exact measures and weight of each container.
Give instructions to staff: Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
Liaise with transportation companies: Establish relationships with transportation companies in order to negotiate advantageous agreements for the transport of goods and livestock.
Ensure continuous preparedness for audits: Ensure constant compliance with standards and requirements, such as keeping certifications up to date and monitoring activities to ensure correct procedures are followed, so that audits can occur smoothly and no negative aspects can be identified.
Manage staff: Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
Encourage teams for continuous improvement: Empower teams to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and then drive the process to improve the results.
Understand supply chain improvements in relation to profit gains: Interpret how the supply chain improvements will impact company profits. Intensify the improvement in those processes that will streamline the supply chain most effectively while generating most profit.
Control reorder points: Determine the level of inventory which triggers an action to replenish stock of each material. This level is called the reorder point or ROP.
Provide operational efficiency training to employees: Provide resources and prepares employee training activities and workshops; increase efficiency of warehouse operations.
Manage dispatch software systems: Manage dispatch software systems to execute tasks such as work order generation, route planning, and other activities.
Communicate with shipment forwarders: Maintain a good flow of communication with shipper and freight forwarders, who ensure a correct delivery and distribution of goods.
Analyse supply chain strategies: Examine an organisation’s planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products, service quality and reduce costs.
Liaise with colleagues: Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.
Conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises: Conduct and mobilise all efforts, support organisations, resources, and communications within the airport, to carry out prevention plan exercises in order to prepare and train airport personnel for real-life emergency situations.
Handle stressful situations: Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.
Analyse supply chain trends: Analyse and make predictions about trends and evolutions in supply chain operations in relation to technology, efficiency systems, types of products shipped, and logistical requirements for shipments, in order to remain at the forefront of supply chain methodologies.
Perform cost accounting activities: Execute the cost related activities and operations within the accounting activities such as standard cost development, average pricing analysis, margin and cost ratio analysis, inventory control, and variance analysis. Report the results to management and advise on possible courses of action to control and reduce the costs.
Consider economic criteria in decision making: Develop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.
Comply with checklists: Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.
Anticipate the overhaul of the fleet: Anticipate the overhaul of fleet and equipment; plan resources required to successfully perform the overhaul; ensure that regular operations continue as normal.
Manage the fleet according to planned operations: Foresee fleet activity according to planned operations. Maintain an overview of available fleet resources and their characteristics and capacities; assign fleet resources according to tasks and customer demands.
Develop efficiency plans for logistics operations: Elaborate and implement plans in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste during logistics operations.
Solve operational transport problems: Communicate with clients and providers in the event of a delay; undertake measures to provide solutions. Take decisions and work proactively in order to avoid operational problems. 
Work in a logistics team: Ability to work confidently within a logistics team, with each member of the team fulfilling a role designed to increase the efficiency of the whole.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of logistics and distribution manager. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Transportation methods: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of logistics and distribution manager. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Cooperate with colleagues: Cooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.
Oversee warehouse value-added activities: Oversee warehouse activities such as storage and receipt, and dispatch of various goods such as food, drinks, clothing, and household products.
Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Check dangerous goods transport unit: Ensure that a vehicle about to transport dangerous materials complies with safety and legal regulations. Perform visual checks to identify and report leaks or other forms of damage.
Show confidence: Demonstrate degrees of maturity by fully understanding one’s own qualities and abilities which can serve as sources of confidence in different situations.
Coordinate export transportation activities: Coordinate all export transportation operations while considering export strategies and services.
Have computer literacy: Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
Liaise with port users: Communicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.
Improve rail service delivery: Responsible for planning and implementing new ways of improving train service delivery to ensure the best possible customer experience at all times.
Coordinate import transportation activities: Oversee import transportation operations; optimise import processes and service strategies.

1324 – Supply, distribution and related managers

 

 

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References

1. Logistics and distribution manager – ESCO