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What does an account/logistics manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Account/logistics managers are vital for business. The manager is the person tasked to replenish supplies regularly. This person updates all inventory records, monitors what items need replenishment, and promptly orders the required items from suppliers and contacts in cooperation with the company. The account/logistics manager also oversees the logistics team's operation, which includes warehouse staff, delivery personnel, and the maintenance of all transport vehicles. Logistics managers are the company's life-blood, and the account logistics manager secures and maintains its flow regularly.

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Account/logistics manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real account/logistics manager resumes:

  • Lead due diligence efforts for selection of WMS.
  • Lead nationwide logistics network in ERP and TMS implementation and training development and execution.
  • Manage accounts while providing excellent customer service, help build financial relationships, redirecting calls in upselling credit per customer needs
  • Write up packing slips and BOL's daily.
  • Audit freight invoices for payment via EDI.
  • Optimize, dispatch, and track multi-stop truckload movements.
  • Support A/R in collections of past due invoices for customers
  • Champion conversation and work teams around plan WMS migration.
  • Evaluate customer and carrier costs to establish profitable truckload shipments.
  • Used KPIs to communicate account goals, trends and track process.
  • Improve on time performance for pickup and delivery as well as other KPIs.
  • Process, organize and problem solve EDI orders, as well as manual orders.
  • Develop and implement improvement action plans for customers to reduce transit times and LTL costs.
  • Perform testing in TMS as new roll outs, rate changes and improvements are made.
  • Work and negotiate with several freight brokers and truckers to arrange LTL, partial and full truck load deliveries.

Account/logistics manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Account/Logistics Managers are proficient in Freight Carriers, Account Management, and Logistics Account. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Math skills, and Organizational skills.

We break down the percentage of Account/Logistics Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Freight Carriers, 14%

    Negotiated price and contract agreements for prospects and clients, located and evaluated potential freight carriers, and expedited freight loads.

  • Account Management, 8%

    Balance prospecting, account management, and logistics management in a fast-paced, high pressure, deadline-driven environment.

  • Logistics Account, 8%

    Promoted to Senior Logistics Account Manager in 2009 for exceeding key performance indicators

  • Process Improvement, 6%

    Analyzed and recommended process improvements that support all facets of production.

  • LTL, 5%

    Managed accounts for 10 Harte Hanks customers and handled all inbound & outbound truckload and LTL shipments.

  • Customer Accounts, 5%

    Supervised 10 accountability/logistics personnel managing a $45 million dollar inventory to support 39 customer accounts.

Common skills that an account/logistics manager uses to do their job include "freight carriers," "account management," and "logistics account." You can find details on the most important account/logistics manager responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. For certain account/logistics manager responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of an account/logistics manager rely on this skill, as "sales managers must collect and interpret complex data to target the most promising geographic areas and demographic groups, and determine the most effective sales strategies." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what account/logistics managers do: "complied data to create financial reports on monthly basic for director of finance. "

Customer-service skills. Another common skill required for account/logistics manager responsibilities is "customer-service skills." This skill comes up in the duties of account/logistics managers all the time, as "when helping to make a sale, sales managers must listen and respond to the customer’s needs." An excerpt from a real account/logistics manager resume shows how this skill is central to what an account/logistics manager does: "managed freight brokerage, third party logistics, and dispatched all carriers based on customer demand. "

Communication skills. Lastly, "communication skills" is an important element of what an account/logistics manager does. Account/logistics manager responsibilities require this skill because "sales managers need to work with colleagues and customers, so they must be able to communicate clearly." This resume example highlights how account/logistics manager duties rely on this skill: "maintained customer relationships by exceeding customer requirements including daily communication and prompt pickup and delivery. "

All account/logistics manager skills

The three companies that hire the most account/logistics managers are:

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Compare different account/logistics managers

Account/logistics manager vs. Director of distribution

A distribution director spearheads and oversees an organization's distribution procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to coordinate with different departments to identify and understand the distribution needs, set goals and guidelines, manage budgets and schedules, delegate tasks among managers, develop strategies to optimize operations, and present reports to the executives and shareholders. They must also liaise with externals parties, building positive relationships with them. Moreover, a distribution director must lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while monitoring the progress of operations.

The annual salary of directors of distribution is $81,883 higher than the average salary of account/logistics managers.Even though account/logistics managers and directors of distribution are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require process improvement, ltl, and business development in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, account/logistics manager responsibilities require skills like "freight carriers," "account management," "logistics account," and "customer accounts." Meanwhile a typical director of distribution has skills in areas such as "continuous improvement," "project management," "distribution operations," and "direct reports." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Directors of distribution really shine in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $119,935. Comparatively, account/logistics managers tend to make the most money in the energy industry with an average salary of $43,401.On average, directors of distribution reach similar levels of education than account/logistics managers. Directors of distribution are 3.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Account/logistics manager vs. Distribution supervisor

A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions. Should there be any issues or concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is vital to lead and encourage the employees to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

A career as a distribution supervisor brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of an account/logistics manager. In fact, distribution supervisors salary is $18,131 higher than the salary of account/logistics managers per year.A few skills overlap for account/logistics managers and distribution supervisors. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "process improvement," "ltl," and "third-party logistics. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that account/logistics manager responsibilities requires skills like "freight carriers," "account management," "logistics account," and "customer accounts." But a distribution supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "customer service," "logistics," "continuous improvement," and "osha."

On average, distribution supervisors earn a higher salary than account/logistics managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, distribution supervisors earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,278. Whereas account/logistics managers have higher pay in the energy industry, with an average salary of $43,401.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Distribution supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than account/logistics managers. In fact, they're 4.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Account/logistics manager vs. Shipping receiving manager

A shipping receiving manager is responsible for overseeing the logistics of goods and supplies in a warehouse or retail setting. Most of the time, they must verify and handle all outgoing and incoming packages, monitor the inventory, evaluate staff progress, and keep track of the flow of operations, ensuring its accuracy and timeliness. They may also be responsible for performing administrative tasks such as producing progress reports, reaching out to clients, and handling correspondence. Furthermore, as a manager in the field, it is essential to encourage staff and implement all company policies.

On average, shipping receiving managers earn lower salaries than account/logistics managers, with a $10,278 difference per year.account/logistics managers and shipping receiving managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "freight carriers," "ltl," and "outbound freight," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an account/logistics manager is likely to be skilled in "account management," "logistics account," "process improvement," and "customer accounts," while a typical shipping receiving manager is skilled in "shipping receiving," "customer service," "safety procedures," and "safety regulations."

When it comes to education, shipping receiving managers tend to earn lower degree levels compared to account/logistics managers. In fact, they're 6.6% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Account/logistics manager vs. Manager

Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department. Managers are responsible that the department they are handling is functioning well. They set the department goals and the steps they must take to achieve the goals. They are also in charge of assessing the performance of their departments and their employees. Additionally, managers are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates for department vacancies and assessing their fit to the needs of the department. Managers also set the general working environment in the department, and they are expected to ensure that their employees remain motivated.

Managers typically earn higher pay than account/logistics managers. On average, managers earn a $14,324 higher salary per year.While both account/logistics managers and managers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like business development, financial reports, and inventory control, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between account/logistics managers and managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an account/logistics manager might have more use for skills like "freight carriers," "account management," "logistics account," and "process improvement." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of managers require skills like "customer service," "payroll," "food safety," and "financial statements. "

Managers enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $71,781. For comparison, account/logistics managers earn the highest salary in the energy industry.managers reach similar levels of education compared to account/logistics managers, in general. The difference is that they're 1.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of account/logistics manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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