Logistics director vs operations director

The differences between logistics directors and operations directors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a logistics director and an operations director. Additionally, a logistics director has an average salary of $108,828, which is higher than the $104,050 average annual salary of an operations director.

The top three skills for a logistics director include supply chain, continuous improvement and logistics operations. The most important skills for an operations director are customer service, continuous improvement, and oversight.

Logistics director vs operations director overview

	Logistics Director	Operations Director
Yearly salary	$108,828	$104,050
Hourly rate	$52.32	$50.02
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	33,997	114,993
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age	45	44
Years of experience	6	6

What does a logistics director do?

A logistics director spearheads and oversees a company's logistics operations. They are primarily responsible for setting goals and guidelines, managing the budgets and timelines, researching new opportunities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of operations, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also maintain positive relationships with key clients and external parties, such as distributors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead employees while implementing the company's policies and regulations, recommending new ones as needed.

What does an operations director do?

Operations directors oversee all company operations. They have the power to set the direction, change the course of the organization, and reform strategies to ensure efficiency in how the company operates. Operations directors manage business operations effectively by constantly analyzing company data and by anticipating any challenge that may come their way. As such, they make sound business decisions and recommendations that will help strengthen the organization. Operations directors oversee finances, quality control, and even human resources. They ensure that all aspects of the business are considered in making business operations decisions.

Logistics director vs operations director salary

Logistics directors and operations directors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Logistics Director	Operations Director
Average salary	$108,828	$104,050
Salary range	Between $70,000 And $167,000	Between $65,000 And $164,000
Highest paying City	San Leandro, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	Washington	California
Best paying company	Barnes & Noble	Airbnb
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between logistics director and operations director education

There are a few differences between a logistics director and an operations director in terms of educational background:

	Logistics Director	Operations Director
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 71%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	University of Pennsylvania

Logistics director vs operations director demographics

Here are the differences between logistics directors' and operations directors' demographics:

	Logistics Director	Operations Director
Average age	45	44
Gender ratio	Male, 83.5% Female, 16.5%	Male, 70.6% Female, 29.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black or African American, 6.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 67.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage	5%	10%

Differences between logistics director and operations director duties and responsibilities

Logistics director example 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.
Select and lead implementation of ERP business systems and engineering document control system.
Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.

Operations director example responsibilities.

Manage KPI reports from all warranty companies to ensure increasing sales and productivity.
Spearhead governance, security and compliance initiatives to achieve SOX and PCI compliance.
Manage a PMO style team to implement any changes across the global contact centers.
Develop all marketing strategies and materials as well as personally managing key OEM and national accounts.
Manage multiple vendor relationships for RFP development and review, contract negotiation, contract terms management, and accounts payable review.
Provide leadership to manufacturing organization by aligning overall KPIs to achieve near term and long term business objectives.

Logistics director vs operations director skills

Common logistics director skills

Supply Chain, 16%
Continuous Improvement, 7%
Logistics Operations, 4%
Customer Service, 4%
Project Management, 4%
Oversight, 4%

Common operations director skills

Customer Service, 12%
Continuous Improvement, 7%
Oversight, 7%
Patients, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Human Resources, 4%

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Logistics Director
Logistics Director vs Operations Director

Updated January 8, 2025

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