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Logistics lead vs transportation manager

The differences between logistics leads and transportation 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 transportation manager takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a transportation manager has an average salary of $77,378, 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 transportation manager are customer service, DOT, and supply chain.

Logistics lead vs transportation manager overview

Logistics LeadTransportation Manager
Yearly salary$53,263$77,378
Hourly rate$25.61$37.20
Growth rate28%28%
Number of jobs32,13125,248
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
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 transportation manager do?

A transportation manager is an individual 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.

Logistics lead vs transportation manager salary

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

Logistics LeadTransportation Manager
Average salary$53,263$77,378
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $87,000Between $53,000 And $111,000
Highest paying CityMountain View, CANewark, NJ
Highest paying stateNew JerseyVirginia
Best paying companyMetaAccenture
Best paying industry-Manufacturing

Differences between logistics lead and transportation manager education

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

Logistics LeadTransportation Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 57%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Logistics lead vs transportation manager demographics

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

Logistics LeadTransportation Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 75.9% Female, 24.1%Male, 80.3% Female, 19.7%
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, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between logistics lead and transportation 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

Transportation manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage OTR driver core to ensure internal and external customer demands achieve.
  • Manage eSECURE program acting as TSA on military installation.
  • Manage RFQ project for the selection of a third party warehouse.
  • Manage employees to complete daily inventory of products so proper FIFO procedures are apply.
  • Manage employee's attendance and timekeeping by use of kronos systems on a daily basis.
  • Manage all aspects of a staff of over 100 CDL drivers , 5 supervisors and 2 administrative assistant.
  • Show more

Logistics lead vs transportation manager skills

Common logistics lead skills
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Inventory Control, 5%
  • Inventory Management, 5%
  • Commodities, 4%
  • Safety Procedures, 4%
Common transportation manager skills
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • DOT, 12%
  • Supply Chain, 9%
  • OSHA, 4%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 4%
  • On-Time Delivery, 4%

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