How To Become A Logistics Director: What It Is and Career Path

What is a logistics director and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

A logistics director is an individual responsible for overseeing the movement of goods from production to the user while minimizing costs and maximizing efficiency. They work to develop and implement strategies for transportation, warehousing, and delivery that meet customer needs and business goals. Logistics directors manage teams of professionals, including warehouse managers, transportation coordinators, and supply chain analysts. They collaborate with vendors, customers, and other stakeholders to ensure timely delivery and effective communication.

ScoreLogistics DirectorUS Average

Salary

7.8

Avg. Salary $108,828

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 6%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 6.14%

Black or African American 11.30%

Hispanic or Latino 18.75%

Unknown 4.31%

White 59.08%

Gender

female 16.54%

male 83.46%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a logistics director?

Pros

High earning potential
Exciting and challenging work
Opportunities for career advancement
Fast-paced work environment that keeps you engaged and motivated
Constantly evolving field, providing new challenges and opportunities for growth

Cons

Long work hours and high stress levels.
Strict deadlines and high pressure to meet targets can lead to burnout
Constant need to adapt to changing market conditions and technological advancements
High level of responsibility and accountability that can be stressful
May need to work nights, weekends, or holidays depending on the needs of the company.

Key steps to become a logistics director

Explore logistics director education requirements

Most common logistics director degrees

Bachelor's

70.6 %

Master's

15.5 %

Associate

8.7 %

Start to develop specific logistics director skills

Skills	Percentages
Supply Chain	16.06%
Continuous Improvement	6.76%
Logistics Operations	4.45%
Customer Service	4.14%
Project Management	4.00%

Complete relevant logistics director training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New logistics directors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a logistics director based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real logistics director resumes.

Gain additional logistics director certifications

Logistics director certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific logistics director certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for logistics directors include Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) and Six Sigma Green Belt.

More About Certifications

Research logistics director duties and responsibilities

Lead the design and implantation of new MRP system improvements.
Lead internal logistics team to gain ISO certification plus implement ISO specs for all 3rd party logistics providers.
Lead project for developing standardize FDA approve method (GCP standard) for labeling, packaging and storing medication.
Manage all relationships with freight payment, TMS software, outside storage, carriers, and all third party logistics providers.

Get logistics director experience

Generally, it takes 4-6 years to become a logistics director. The most common roles before becoming a logistics director include operations manager, logistics manager team lead and general manager.

Prepare your logistics director resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your logistics director resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a logistics director resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable logistics director resume templates

Build a professional logistics director resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your logistics director resume.