How to hire a logistics manager

How to hire a logistics manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step logistics manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a logistics manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new logistics manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a logistics manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the logistics manager you need to hire. Certain logistics manager roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A logistics manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, logistics managers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of logistics managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Logistics Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Logistics Manager		$25-50
   Distribution Supervisor	A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions... Show more	$19-46
   Inventory Control Manager	An inventory control manager is a professional who is responsible for directing all tasks related to inventory management of a company. They manage the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished goods as well as design strategies to minimize the cost or time to move goods... Show more	$19-40

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Supply Chain
   • Continuous Improvement
   • On-Time Delivery
   • Process Improvement
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Inventory Control
   • Logistics Support
   • Direct Reports
   • Purchase Orders
   • Logistics Operations
   • Chain Management
   • Inventory Management
   • Management System

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage budget, staffing, workload distribution, and training and development of PMO.
   • Manage annual RFP for the selection of new carrier contracts for FCL/FTL rates and services.
   • Lead cross-functional team integrating the distribution system with a new database merchandising system with RF device.
   • Manage all FDA medical device listings for all accume foreign and domestic facilities, and assist foreign suppliers with the same.
   • Manage all negotiations with carriers including freight forwarders and various other providers of transportation relate services.
   • Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.

   More logistics manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your logistics manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A logistics manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for a logistics manager in Wyoming may be lower than in Washington, and an entry-level logistics manager usually earns less than a senior-level logistics manager. Additionally, a logistics manager with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average logistics manager salary

   $74,702yearly

   $35.91 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level logistics manager salary

   $52,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 5, 2025

   Average logistics manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Washington	$97,617	$47
   2	Wisconsin	$89,095	$43
   3	District of Columbia	$87,092	$42
   4	Oregon	$86,814	$42
   5	New Jersey	$85,350	$41
   6	New York	$83,374	$40
   7	California	$82,501	$40
   8	Georgia	$82,074	$39
   9	Massachusetts	$79,916	$38
   10	Maryland	$77,733	$37
   11	North Carolina	$77,584	$37
   12	Maine	$76,979	$37
   13	Arizona	$76,773	$37
   14	Illinois	$75,845	$36
   15	Texas	$74,246	$36
   16	Ohio	$74,093	$36
   17	Indiana	$73,802	$35
   18	Missouri	$72,690	$35
   19	Colorado	$71,829	$35
   20	Oklahoma	$69,758	$34

   Average logistics manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$130,992	$62.98	5
   2	Meta	$128,277	$61.67	67
   3	Google	$127,139	$61.12	58
   4	Applied Materials	$125,419	$60.30	8
   5	Microsoft	$118,672	$57.05	8
   6	Western Digital	$116,416	$55.97	113
   7	Avid	$112,527	$54.10
   8	Gap Inc.	$111,033	$53.38
   9	Lam Research	$109,159	$52.48	3
   10	General Motors	$105,512	$50.73
   11	Gilead Sciences	$104,465	$50.22	7
   12	The Fresh Market	$104,357	$50.17
   13	HP	$102,625	$49.34	9
   14	Newpark	$101,901	$48.99
   15	Grubhub	$101,042	$48.58
   16	Dairy Farmers of America	$101,025	$48.57	12
   17	Solectron Corp	$99,825	$47.99	4
   18	Blue Diamond Growers	$99,648	$47.91	1
   19	Best Buy	$99,628	$47.90
   20	Caterpillar	$99,081	$47.64	13

4. Writing a logistics manager job description

   A logistics manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a logistics manager job description:

   Logistics manager job description example

   If you wish to further develop your career with one of the most successful logistics organizations in the world. We are looking for a new e-Touch Manager. This is an excellent opportunity to join our Air Logistics team. Your Role You will facilitate and manage the e-Touch roll out in your respective geographical area to gain a high level of automation and operational efficiencies in the Kuehne + Nagel Air Logistics network. You will report to Jeffrey Johnson the Area Air Logistics Manager. Your Responsibilities
   
   Be the primary contact for all partners for all topics related to e-Touch in their geographical area.
   
   You will develop strategies and look for improvements to increase the quality and use of e-Touch functionalities.
   
   Take ownership and be responsible of e-Touch topics assigned to you, manage these projects with the local Air Logistics teams, report status and risks to the respective managers and partners.
   
   Always keep up-to-date on new e-Touch development features in the systems and promote and implement them to operational staff. Understand and explain the strategy.
   
   You will monitor the adherence to e-Touch, address any deviations, ensuring that the implemented tools are integrated as a sustainable process.
   
   Define requirements to improve e-Touch automation, supported by use cases, obtain acceptance criteria and provide a value proposition.
   
   You will facilitate close collaboration between local users, process and system teams, define requirements and submit required process and systems changes to increase the use and effectiveness.
   
   Work with system teams to initiate the required systems setups, and with the process teams for any required process changes. Collaborate and align with other North American e-Touch resources.
   You will provide guidance and training related to e-Touch. Your Skills and Experiences Bachelors / First University Degree Supply chain certificate 3+ years of Air Logistics knowledge. 3+ years in Project management. Good Reasons to Join We offer a great compensation package, medical, dental, and retirement benefits package, employee discounts, tuition reimbursement, excellent training programs and a dynamic global work environment. At Kuehne+Nagel we strive daily to Inspire, Empower and Deliver not only to our customers but colleagues. As an employer, Kuehne+Nagel stands for equal opportunity, and we are committed to diversity in our teams with regard to people with disabilities. We believe that you can make a valuable contribution to Kuehne+Nagel and look forward to receiving your application.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find logistics managers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any logistics managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level logistics managers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your logistics manager job on Zippia to find and recruit logistics manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with logistics manager candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new logistics manager

   Once you've selected the best logistics manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a logistics manager?