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.

Logistics Director Responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real logistics director resumes representing typical tasks they are likely to perform in their roles.

  • 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.
  • Modernize the operation by the selection and implementation of information technology, Manhattan WMS, TMS, and YMS.
  • Train personnel to use WMS software and warehouse allocation systems.
  • Implement the BAAN WMS system and create the infrastructure for RFID.
  • Set, measure, and monitor KPIs to assess success of transportation and distribution services.
  • Set up metrics for each operation to assure efficiency and consistent quality standards (ISO).
  • Negotiate contracts for multiple support programs including outside storage, labor, LTL, FTL and dedicate hauling.
  • Obtain and compare quotes from various freight forwarders to provide the most cost effective way to import and export shipments.
  • Develop and implement strategies to restructure LTL carrier relationships and pricing.
  • Formulate and implant KPIs improving productivity and accuracy resulting in elimination of night shift and its staff.

Logistics Director Skills and Personality Traits

We calculated that 16% of Logistics Directors are proficient in Supply Chain, Continuous Improvement, and Logistics Operations. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.

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

  • Supply Chain, 16%

    Led/directed logistics/supply chain/facility operations/21-person-staff/1.6K Medical equipment/ inventory and acquisition management/$81M

  • Continuous Improvement, 7%

    Provide overall leadership in the areas of operational performance, budget management, customer relations, continuous improvement and staff development.

  • Logistics Operations, 4%

    Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations to include transportation, warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.

  • Customer Service, 4%

    Coordinated service requests and directed service repair function to support customer service metrics for efficient performance and customer advocacy.

  • Project Management, 4%

    Developed project management/job logistics process that enabled supervisor to manage work of 15 subcontractors to meet deadlines and stay within budget.

  • Oversight, 4%

    Led organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which resulted in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.

"supply chain," "continuous improvement," and "logistics operations" aren't the only skills we found logistics directors list on their resumes. In fact, there's a whole list of logistics director responsibilities that we found, including:

  • Communication skills can be considered to be the most important personality trait for a logistics director to have. According to a logistics director resume, "top executives must be able to communicate clearly and persuasively" logistics directors are able to use communication skills in the following example we gathered from a resume: "selected to lead process improvement, coordination and the integration of communications, engineering and transportation supply chains. "
  • Another commonly found skill for being able to perform logistics director duties is the following: leadership skills. According to a logistics director resume, "top executives must be able to lead an organization successfully by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Check out this example of how logistics directors use leadership skills: "directed division's customer logistics program, strategy, development, negotiation, and leadership of collaborative supply chain engagements. "
  • Logistics directors are also known for management skills, which can be critical when it comes to performing their duties. An example of why this skill is important is shown by this snippet that we found in a logistics director resume: "top executives must shape and direct the operations of an organization" We also found this resume example that details how this skill is put to the test: "identify and prepare recommendation for warehouse management system (wms) and transportation management system (tms). "
  • A logistics director responsibilities sometimes require "problem-solving skills." The responsibilities that rely on this skills are shown by this resume excerpt: "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization" This resume example shows how this skill is used by logistics directors: "developed and maintained a full complement of third-party logistics applications and solutions for existing and new customers. "
  • Yet another important skill that a logistics director must demonstrate is "time-management skills." Top executives do many tasks at the same time, typically under their own direction, to ensure that their work gets done and that they meet their goals. This is clearly demonstrated in this example from a logistics director who stated: "achieved major cost reductions based on knowledge of forwarding industry while maintaining delivery deadlines and improving service at all logistic levels. "
  • See the full list of logistics director skills.

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    What Supply Chain Managers Do

    A supply chain manager is an individual who takes responsibility for managing hardware, equipment, and any other logistical details of an organization. Supply chain managers work alongside the external partners for parts and raw material procurement. They make sure that global companies coordinate with their sources of goods. These professionals also assess their suppliers and negotiate corporate contracts with vendors. The skills they needed include technical understanding, project management, cost accounting skills, and business ethics.

    In this section, we compare the average logistics director annual salary with that of a supply chain manager. Typically, supply chain managers earn a $8,414 lower salary than logistics directors earn annually.

    While the salaries between these two careers can be different, they do share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both logistics directors and supply chain managers positions are skilled in supply chain, continuous improvement, and customer service.

    As far as similarities go, this is where it ends because a logistics director responsibility requires skills such as "logistics operations," "oversight," "logistics support," and "tms." Whereas a supply chain manager is skilled in "logistics," "strong project management," "digital transformation," and "lean six sigma." So if you're looking for what truly separates the two careers, you've found it.

    On average, supply chain managers reach similar levels of education than logistics directors. Supply chain managers are 1.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

    What Are The Duties Of a Terminal Manager?

    Terminal managers are professionals who are responsible for managing workers and direct dispatching activities of logistics vehicles. These managers are required to develop relationships with corporate and operational departments so that they can ensure the company logistics standards are met. They must resolve customer service complaints by implementing satisfactory solutions to retain customers. Terminal drivers must train new drivers so that they can be licensed, tested, and certified according to federal and state laws. They are also required to maintain a clean and safe working condition of their facility and equipment.

    The next role we're going to look at is the terminal manager profession. Typically, this position earns a lower pay. In fact, they earn a $34,591 lower salary than logistics directors per year.

    Not everything about these jobs is different. Take their skills, for example. Logistics directors and terminal managers both include similar skills like "customer service," "process improvement," and "inventory control" on their resumes.

    In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences that are worth noting. For example, logistics director responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "logistics operations," and "project management." Meanwhile, a terminal manager might be skilled in areas such as "dot," "work ethic," "osha," and "payroll." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

    In general, terminal managers study at lower levels of education than logistics directors. They're 10.2% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    How a Traffic Manager Compares

    The main job of a traffic manager is to make sure that account service marketing collateral works and flows efficiently to production and creative departments. Traffic managers take responsibility for keeping everyone in the team on task and the projects on deadline. They manage the logistics tasks and keep the parties up-to-date on the recent progress. It is their job to coordinate work among the account managers, staff members, and advertisers. Also, they develop and maintain procedure transportation and distribution for delivery efficiency maximization.

    The third profession we take a look at is traffic manager. On an average scale, these workers bring in lower salaries than logistics directors. In fact, they make a $47,094 lower salary per year.

    While looking through the resumes of several logistics directors and traffic managers we discovered that both professions have similar skills. These similarities include skills such as "project management," "inventory control," and "direct reports," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

    There are many key differences between these two careers as shown by resumes from each profession. Some of those differences include the skills required to complete responsibilities within each role. As an example of this, a logistics director is likely to be skilled in "supply chain," "continuous improvement," "logistics operations," and "customer service," while a typical traffic manager is skilled in "traffic management," "account executives," "faa," and "powerpoint."

    Traffic managers typically study at lower levels compared with logistics directors. For example, they're 10.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

    Description Of a Transportation Manager

    A transportation manager is a professional who is responsible for directing and managing tasks that involves all the transportation activities within the organization. Transportation managers must ensure that goods and passengers have reached their destination safely by inspecting and providing maintenance to the organization's vehicles. During the hiring process, transportation managers must make sure that drivers and operators have the correct and up to date qualifications. They must also avoid passenger overload and should keep accurate records of passengers and goods that are being transported.

    Transportation managers tend to earn a lower pay than logistics directors by about $31,450 per year.

    While their salaries may vary, logistics directors and transportation managers both use similar skills to perform their jobs. Resumes from both professions include skills like "supply chain," "continuous improvement," and "customer service. "

    Even though a few skill sets overlap, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a logistics director might have more use for skills like "logistics operations," "project management," "oversight," and "kpis." Meanwhile, some transportation managers might include skills like "dot," "osha," "customer satisfaction," and "cdl" on their resume.

    Transportation managers reach lower levels of education when compared to logistics directors. The difference is that they're 7.4% more likely to earn a Master's Degree less, and 0.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.