How to hire a logistics program manager

How to hire a logistics program manager, step by step

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

What does a logistics program manager do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a logistics program manager, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A logistics program manager's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, logistics program 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 program managers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Logistics Program Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Logistics Program Manager		$38-74
   Manager	Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department... Show more	$17-44
   Logistics Supply Officer	A logistics supply officer is responsible for monitoring the supply chain distribution processes, ensuring the efficiency and timeliness of all deliveries, and maintaining the adequacy of stock inventory. Logistics supply officers also perform complex administrative duties, such as handling data processing discrepancies, creating delivery incident reports, and tracking shipment complications... Show more	$34-82

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Program Management
   • Project Management
   • Continuous Improvement
   • Logistics Program
   • DOD
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Customer Support
   • Chain Management
   • Provisioning
   • ILS
   • Support Equipment
   • IPT
   • Logistics Operations
   • Technical Data

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead the business sign off and approval of WMS and transportation optimization systems and material handling equipment.
   • Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.
   • Coordinate, schedule and facilitate all ILS Harbormaster efforts for all NG ILS functional areas.
   • Serve as liaison for DOD and civilian contractors on matters pertaining to implementing training of new automate logistics systems.
   • Provide complete Harbormaster ILS schedule oversight.
   • Spearhead data migration and process transition supporting implementation of a new ERP scheduling module.

   More logistics program manager duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the logistics program manager job description is a good way to get more applicants. A logistics program manager salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a logistics program manager in Nebraska may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level logistics program manager. Additionally, a logistics program manager with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average logistics program manager salary

   $111,400yearly

   $53.56 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level logistics program manager salary

   $80,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average logistics program manager salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$149,879	$72
   2	Illinois	$123,004	$59
   3	District of Columbia	$117,531	$57
   4	Florida	$116,703	$56
   5	Washington	$115,110	$55
   6	Nevada	$114,517	$55
   7	Louisiana	$114,320	$55
   8	Massachusetts	$112,327	$54
   9	North Dakota	$111,246	$53
   10	Georgia	$109,856	$53
   11	Iowa	$109,527	$53
   12	New York	$107,954	$52
   13	Delaware	$107,640	$52
   14	Pennsylvania	$106,552	$51
   15	South Carolina	$105,276	$51
   16	Maryland	$104,734	$50
   17	Kentucky	$104,214	$50
   18	Arizona	$103,149	$50
   19	Virginia	$101,103	$49
   20	Texas	$100,630	$48

   Average logistics program manager salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Meta	$158,220	$76.07	349
   2	Apple	$149,591	$71.92	196
   3	Google	$148,507	$71.40	181
   4	Cepheid	$144,033	$69.25
   5	Corsair	$140,649	$67.62	1
   6	Microsoft	$136,918	$65.83	137
   7	Contextlogic Inc.	$132,342	$63.63
   8	Amazon	$131,674	$63.30	498
   9	Cisco	$130,904	$62.93	3
   10	Costco Wholesale	$127,298	$61.20
   11	Oliver	$122,452	$58.87
   12	Groupon	$121,764	$58.54
   13	AstraZeneca	$120,621	$57.99	1
   14	Imagine One Technology & Management	$119,647	$57.52	5
   15	Intent Media	$118,943	$57.18
   16	Wish	$118,423	$56.93
   17	Bollinger Shipyards	$115,897	$55.72	2
   18	DCS	$115,557	$55.56
   19	Lucid Motors	$114,446	$55.02	12
   20	Tesla	$113,138	$54.39	1

4. Writing a logistics program manager job description

   A logistics program 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a logistics program manager job description:

   Logistics program manager job description example

   We are looking for a Logistics Program Manager who will drive operational improvements and lead a team. You will help us define the future of the Operations & Logistics function by overseeing the daily relationship with our reverse logistic partners, as well as driving many cross-functional projects.
   What You'll Do:
   
   Vendor identification and RFP. Scope out the vendor qualification and see through the entire RFP process. Work cross functionally with legal, IT, finance, product and engineering teams to make sure the candidate vendors satisfy all stakeholders' requirements.
   
   Negotiate practical SLA and set enforceable KPI with proper remedy with vendors and incorporate them into the final contract with legal. Always keep the company's overall interest in mind and maximize the benefit and protection for the company.
   
   Coordinate vendor integration process with product and engineering team. Take ownership of vendor relationships management and act as an escalation point if operational issues come up.
   
   Oversee daily operations of reverse logistics and provide insights and recommendations for continuous process improvement and operation excellence. Implements improvement plans with related cross-functional teams, such as product, engineering, finance and compliance. Represent the reverse logistics team in cross-functional team meetings and communicate clearly from the logistics perspective while also thinking collaboratively.
   
   Stay alert with the latest trend in the reverse logistics industry and lead initiatives that increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. Own the exploration of the value proposition for potential new vendors and processes.
   
   Support both domestic and international initiatives from internal stakeholders.
   
   Lead the reverse logistics team on a daily basis. Make data-driven decisions and present highlights and lowlights to the team and upper management and propose solutions for potential problems.
   
   Work closely with the data and intelligence team to monitor the operation status of the reverse logistic network. Work closely with the product and engineering team to refine policies and internal designs to extract the max value out of reverse logistics networks and improve post purchase experience for our customers.
   
   #LI-SH1

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find logistics program managers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit logistics program managers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   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 program manager

   Once you've selected the best logistics program 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 good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new logistics program manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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 program manager?