How to hire a logistics operations manager

How to hire a logistics operations manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step logistics operations 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 operations manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new logistics operations manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a logistics operations manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your logistics operations manager job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a logistics operations manager for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

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   Hiring the perfect logistics operations manager also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

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

   Type of Logistics Operations Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Logistics Operations Manager	Top executives devise strategies and policies to ensure that an organization meets its goals. They plan, direct, and coordinate operational activities of companies and organizations.	$24-50
   General Manager Of Operations	General managers of operations are employed to oversee the overall operations of businesses. Their responsibilities include the improvement of the efficiency of the operations and overall management... Show more	$23-79
   Manager, Center Operations	The duties of a manager of center operations depend on one's industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around overseeing business operations, setting targets, assessing the workforce's performance, and performing corrective measures on any issues or concerns... Show more	$18-46

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Supply Chain
   • Logistics Operations
   • Operational Procedures
   • Customer Service
   • Process Improvement
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Direct Reports
   • Logistics Support
   • ISO
   • Inventory Control
   • Warehouse Management
   • Management System
   • Sigma
   • Warehouse Operations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead consortium-based RFP for latter contract across multiple corporations.
   • Manage and facilitate the day-to-day operations of a 72-truck general commodities LTL transportation company and warehouse complex.
   • Manage payroll distribution process ensuring timeliness, accuracy, and confidentiality to protect client's privacy and prevent liability of exposure.
   • Implement KanBan pull system, which significantly improve shop floor control.
   • Develop short and long term planning strategies; integrate customer production schedules to enhance ERP.
   • Implement KanBan systems, JIT system for select suppliers, and an inventory tracking system.

   More logistics operations manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your logistics operations manager job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A logistics operations 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 operations manager in Iowa may be lower than in Colorado, and an entry-level logistics operations manager usually earns less than a senior-level logistics operations manager. Additionally, a logistics operations 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 operations manager salary

   $73,938yearly

   $35.55 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level logistics operations manager salary

   $51,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 19, 2025

   Average logistics operations manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Colorado	$109,796	$53
   2	Washington	$99,305	$48
   3	New York	$97,128	$47
   4	District of Columbia	$96,083	$46
   5	California	$90,618	$44
   6	Tennessee	$82,113	$39
   7	Massachusetts	$80,216	$39
   8	Maryland	$79,049	$38
   9	Illinois	$78,891	$38
   10	Virginia	$78,682	$38
   11	Pennsylvania	$76,900	$37
   12	Ohio	$74,898	$36
   13	Arizona	$70,401	$34
   14	Georgia	$70,374	$34
   15	North Carolina	$70,373	$34
   16	Texas	$67,928	$33
   17	Utah	$62,049	$30
   18	South Carolina	$61,369	$30
   19	Florida	$57,329	$28
   20	Oklahoma	$55,235	$27

   Average logistics operations manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Apple	$131,753	$63.34	38
   2	Google	$124,807	$60.00	176
   3	DoorDash	$122,305	$58.80	135
   4	Applied Materials	$118,555	$57.00	26
   5	Amy's Kitchen	$109,459	$52.62	1
   6	Neiman Marcus Group	$109,159	$52.48	8
   7	Entegris	$104,844	$50.41	5
   8	Walmart	$95,805	$46.06	1,102
   9	Mondelēz International	$93,531	$44.97	34
   10	Costco Wholesale	$87,783	$42.20
   11	Stanford University	$86,323	$41.50	11
   12	Volvo Trucks	$85,821	$41.26	7
   13	United	$84,968	$40.85	8
   14	Lucid Motors	$82,299	$39.57	29
   15	Leviton	$81,562	$39.21
   16	NovaTech LLC	$81,394	$39.13
   17	The Walt Disney Company	$81,174	$39.03	38
   18	SOS International	$78,582	$37.78	4
   19	Andrews Logistics	$78,051	$37.52
   20	Future Technologies	$77,058	$37.05

4. Writing a logistics operations manager job description

   A job description for a logistics operations manager role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a logistics operations manager job description:

   Logistics operations manager job description example

   At Caterpillar, we work to help our customers build a better world. Without our team of talented, bright and driven individuals, we wouldn't be the Caterpillar we are today. Now, this is your chance to join our team and do work that matters. We want you to help us enable customer success, make progress possible around the world and help our communities grow and thrive. We are looking for a dynamic, organized self-starter to join our Product Support and Logistics Division as a Logistics Operations Manager.
   The Product Support and Logistics Division (PSLD) is one of the most innovative divisions within Caterpillar. In PSLD, as within all of Caterpillar, our priority is our customers and helping them build a better world. We touch nearly every element of the services value stream from procurement to design and manufacturing to distribution. PSLD is responsible for Aftermarket Parts Distribution of Cat Parts, Integrated Logistics, segment Procurement and the design and manufacture of Wear & Maintenance Components, e.g., Steel Products (Undercarriage and GET) and Specialty Products (Seals, Tubes & Hardware, Hose & Couplings, Fluids and Filters).
   
   We're committed to our customers, who build a better world with our products, services, and solutions.
   
   We understand and show the value of why they should always choose us. We're exploring new ideas and opportunities - innovating to discover the breakthroughs necessary for tomorrow's growth.
   
   Through it all, we are one team - creating and delivering world-class components and solutions superior to the competition.
   
   Learn more about the Caterpillar Experience
   
   As a Logistics Operations Manager you will have the opportunity to provide and manage direct material inbound and outbound logistics operations and inventory operations, to ensure the timely and efficient receipt and distribution of material.
   
   Job Duties/Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: Ensure adherence to corporate policies and practices by working effectively with appropriate functional areas to maintain a high-velocity material flow. Responsible for developing proper material flow utilizing CPS guidelines/principles Be responsible for managing outbound logistics operations to ensure material is order-filled and shipped, quickly and efficiently. Using the CPS Guiding Principles, lead aggressive continuous improvement efforts, such as Lean, POU and inventory accuracy, in order to: eliminate excess inventory, manage material to defined flow paths, manage and support facility logistics / warehousing activities Manage a team of around 25 direct and indirect reports, monitor, review performance, and career development for the subordinates. This team consists of production direct reports, as well as one supervisor and their production direct reports.
   
   Additional Information Relocation may be offered to a top candidate Overtime may be required Minimal Travel Required ( This is a 3rd Shift Position (Sun 11pm - Fri 7am)
   
   Required Qualifications Bachelor's degree is required, in lieu of a degree an additional 2 years of experience in Supply Chain / Logistics or Operations is required Minimum of 3 years of experience in Supply Chain / Logistics or Operations Must have 1-3 years of direct supervision leadership experience Extensive material distribution experience and understanding of materials systems and how they interrelate Experience with SAP; warehouse management systems Knowledge of material handling equipment Top Candidates Will Also Have Intense focus on Safety Strong capability to coach and develop team members Excellent interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Able to work independently with minimal direction Solid logistics and/or manufacturing knowledge Knowledge of Caterpillar products, policies, and procedures Capability to work and communicate with a variety of the company (all levels) and supplier personnel Knowledge and understanding of 6 Sigma project management principles Final Details
   
   Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application - please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
   
   Caterpillar is not currently hiring individuals for this position who now or in the future require sponsorship for employment-based non-immigrant and immigrant visas. However, as a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S. which can be found through our employment website www.Caterpillar.com/careers . #Li-onsite
   
   Relocation is available for this position.
   EEO/AA Employer. All qualified individuals - Including minorities, females, veterans and individuals with disabilities - are encouraged to apply.
   
   Not ready to apply? Submit your information to our Talent Network here .

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5. Post your job

   To find the right logistics operations manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with logistics operations managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit logistics operations managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting logistics operations managers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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 operations manager

   Once you have selected a candidate for the logistics operations manager position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new logistics operations manager. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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