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Logistics lead vs traffic manager

The differences between logistics leads and traffic managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a logistics lead, becoming a traffic manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a traffic manager has an average salary of $61,734, which is higher than the $53,263 average annual salary of a logistics lead.

The top three skills for a logistics lead include customer service, continuous improvement and inventory control. The most important skills for a traffic manager are project management, traffic management, and account executives.

Logistics lead vs traffic manager overview

Logistics LeadTraffic Manager
Yearly salary$53,263$61,734
Hourly rate$25.61$29.68
Growth rate28%-3%
Number of jobs32,13114,997
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4545
Years of experience64

What does a logistics lead do?

A logistics lead is an individual who coordinates the logistical functions as well as the entire life cycle of a product of an organization. Logistics leads should represent the relationship between sales and logistics departments to ensure that freight arrangements flow in a timely and effective manner. They are required to receive incoming materials and process purchase orders and daily receipts into the inventory management system. Logistics leads must also prioritize the organization's daily operations and workflow to ensure that deadlines are met with maximum product quality.

What does a traffic manager do?

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.

Logistics lead vs traffic manager salary

Logistics leads and traffic managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Logistics LeadTraffic Manager
Average salary$53,263$61,734
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $87,000Between $37,000 And $102,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CASan Carlos, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyVirginia
Best paying companyMetaAbbVie
Best paying industry--

Differences between logistics lead and traffic manager education

There are a few differences between a logistics lead and a traffic manager in terms of educational background:

Logistics LeadTraffic Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Logistics lead vs traffic manager demographics

Here are the differences between logistics leads' and traffic managers' demographics:

Logistics LeadTraffic Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 75.9% Female, 24.1%Male, 47.9% Female, 52.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between logistics lead and traffic manager duties and responsibilities

Logistics lead example responsibilities.

  • Manage human resources operations including employee record maintenance, leave time reporting/verification, payroll and driver team supervision.
  • Implement and train WMS system with barcoding technologies.
  • Work closely with expeditors and freight forwarders in advance to meet client s expectations.
  • Maintain and monitor procedures for transfilling compress or liquid gas according to FDA guidelines.
  • Complete accurate and timely documentation to comply with FDA regulations.
  • Establish relationships with logistical management counterparts within major DoD component and external organizations to facilitate coordination of logistical support projects.
  • Show more

Traffic manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage and schedule all FM commercials for national affiliates.
  • Manage and schedule all FM commercials per customers' contract drive times.
  • Manage all inbound material which include part shortages, EC changes, QC inspection parts and sequence material.
  • Train and supervise coordinators and junior AE s. create job number tracking system for print/broadcast events.
  • Provide oversight to all computer functions relative to the importation of vessels and the release and shipment of vehicles.
  • Perform continuous analysis of TMS, operation and business process for continuous improvement.
  • Show more

Logistics lead vs traffic manager skills

Common logistics lead skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Inventory Management, 5%
  • Commodities, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common traffic manager skills
  • Project Management, 10%
  • Traffic Management, 6%
  • Account Executives, 5%
  • FAA, 4%
  • PowerPoint, 4%
  • Traffic Logs, 4%

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