What is a Logistics Supervisor?

Logistics supervisors work in warehouses or storage units. Whether they work for wholesale or retail employers, their primary duty is to supervise warehouse personnel, making sure deliveries and shipments are taken care of efficiently.

They create the logistics for the warehouse finding the most time- and cost-effective workflow to ensure the fastest and easiest way to load and unload goods and materials and arrange them in the most functional and transparent manner. Logistics supervisors communicate with everyone involved in delivering and shipping merchandise, coordinating the work of suppliers, transporters, customs brokers, and the like.

You need experience and appropriate education to fill this role successfully. A bachelor's degree in business, supply chain management, or industrial engineering will be the minimum requirement, along with at least a couple of years' work experience in a warehouse. Personal skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and communication will also be essential.

What Does a Logistics Supervisor Do

There are certain skills that many logistics supervisors have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed communication skills, leadership skills and management skills.

Learn more about what a Logistics Supervisor does

How To Become a Logistics Supervisor

If you're interested in becoming a logistics supervisor, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 53.5% of logistics supervisors have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 6.4% of logistics supervisors have master's degrees. Even though most logistics supervisors have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.

Learn More About How To Become a Logistics Supervisor

Logistics Supervisor Job Description

A logistics supervisor is a mid-level management employee responsible for the supply chain processes. They negotiate contracts with carriers and suppliers, organize storage facilities, ensure that health and safety regulations are followed, and organize budgets and schedules.

Learn more about Logistics Supervisor Job Description
Top Logistics Supervisor Jobs Near You

Logistics Supervisor Career Paths

In addition to switching up your job search, it might prove helpful to look at a career path for your specific job. Now, what's a career path you ask? Well, it's practically a map that shows how you might advance from one job title to another. Our career paths are especially detailed with salary changes. So, for example, if you started out with the role of logistics manager you might progress to a role such as operations manager eventually. Later on in your career, you could end up with the title distribution center manager.

Logistics Supervisor

Average Salary for a Logistics Supervisor

Logistics Supervisors in America make an average salary of $65,301 per year or $31 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $89,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $47,000 per year.
Average Logistics Supervisor Salary
$65,301 Yearly
$31.39 hourly
See More Salary Information

What Am I Worth?

salary-calculator

Roles and Types of Logistics Supervisor

The role of a logistics supervisor includes a wide range of responsibilities. These responsibilities can vary based on an individual's specific job, company, or industry.Here are some general logistics supervisor responsibilities:

  • Organize the staff and workload to meet or exceed distribution productivity performance standards
  • Plan shipments of all finished goods. Negotiate best method of shipping for international customers. Utilization of c tpat requirements supervise the activities
  • Supervise support maintenance on military and commercial equipment. Possesses knowledge of techniques, procedures, technical specifications,

There are several types of logistics supervisor, including:

Supervisor

Role:

Supervisors have a super-important job (didn't see that one coming, did you?). From setting goals for employees to organizing the workflow in the office, supervisors oversee all operations.

In the same breath, supervisors are a great resource for employees to look to. Supervisors are always trying to figure out how to do things more efficiently while making sure everyone is staying on top of their goals.

Unless you're needed to stay later, typically you'll only work a 40-hour week as a supervisor. The majority of employers will only hire supervisors who have a bachelor's degree. Sometimes there are options for those with only a high school diploma, you just have to find the right employer.

  • Average Salary: $53,902
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Warehouse Manager

Role:

This one is pretty self-explanatory. A Warehouse Manager oversees operations in a warehouse. He/She or she is responsible for organizing the reception, storage, and dispatch of goods stored in the warehouse. The warehouse manager is the one who keeps contact with transporters, suppliers, and customers, and they are the ones who make sure space is used efficiently, and the equipment is handled correctly.

They create schedules and assign tasks for the warehouse staff, and monitor the stock and inventories. They maintain records of the traffic of goods, and they train, motivate, and supervise the tram. Keeping appropriate working conditions and seeing to all necessary safety measures are also their responsibilities.

Managing a warehouse well is a complex task that requires great administrative and organizational skills and unwavering attention to detail. Warehouse managers usually work with warehouse management software, so IT skills are a must. But they have to deal with a team of people as well, so communication and leadership skills are also non-negotiable. However, the number-one priority should be the safety of the staff because a warehouse is no playground, and people can get seriously hurt. You get the idea: a warehouse manager who cracks under pressure will not hold the position for long.

  • Average Salary: $62,189
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree

Warehouse Supervisor

Role:

You're not in the little leagues anymore. As a warehouse supervisor, you've stepped outside of the entry-level realm. So now it's time to pull your big-kid pants up and get to work. Your team is counting on you.

Warehouse supervisors ensure every day goes by smoothly and efficiently. That means you're looking over ways to improve the way you receive and store goods, as well as manage the warehouse inventory level. It may sound like a tough job, but it's rewarding, especially when your team accomplishes their goals.

On top of making sure every day goes smoothly, there're some other qualities you might want to possess if you're looking to be a great supervisor. Qualities like great communication skills and being open and welcoming to your team are clutch to have as a warehouse supervisor.

  • Average Salary: $49,556
  • Degree: Bachelor's Degree
View More

States With The Most Logistics Supervisor Jobs

Mouse over a state to see the number of active logistics supervisor jobs in each state. The darker areas on the map show where logistics supervisors earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.

Average Salary: Job Openings:

Number Of Logistics Supervisor Jobs By State

RankStateNumber of JobsAverage Salary
1California1,646$70,638
2Texas1,125$73,290
3Florida822$57,695
4Ohio771$63,359
5Pennsylvania760$69,096
6New York694$71,900
7Georgia665$74,640
8Illinois661$63,992
9Virginia582$65,778
10New Jersey551$74,168
11North Carolina528$68,952
12Maryland515$68,166
13Massachusetts488$66,740
14Indiana475$63,644
15Michigan474$76,976
16Tennessee438$62,796
17Arizona407$56,995
18Minnesota323$72,619
19Wisconsin322$74,364
20Washington312$74,561
21Colorado301$57,997
22Missouri288$61,876
23Kentucky273$64,904
24South Carolina246$66,750
25Alabama227$64,691
26Connecticut224$73,479
27Oregon211$68,507
28Iowa201$64,780
29Mississippi176$58,688
30Louisiana171$69,292
31Nevada164$58,257
32Utah162$64,945
33Kansas144$63,816
34Arkansas132$68,132
35Oklahoma128$61,252
36New Hampshire108$60,053
37Nebraska106$55,782
38New Mexico82$66,939
39Hawaii81$62,292
40Montana69$70,716
41Maine69$61,566
42Idaho68$60,775
43Rhode Island66$69,200
44Delaware62$63,503
45Vermont60$66,741
46North Dakota58$65,711
47West Virginia57$57,968
48Alaska56$66,556
49Wyoming51$56,059
50South Dakota46$71,129

Logistics Supervisor Education

Logistics Supervisor Majors

Business
40.4 %
Supply Chain Management
9.7 %
General Studies
6.3 %

Logistics Supervisor Degrees

Bachelors

53.5 %

Associate

22.6 %

High School Diploma

11.9 %

Top Colleges for Logistics Supervisors

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-State Tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-State Tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-State Tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-State Tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-State Tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-State Tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

Top Skills For a Logistics Supervisor

The skills section on your resume can be almost as important as the experience section, so you want it to be an accurate portrayal of what you can do. Luckily, we've found all of the skills you'll need so even if you don't have these skills yet, you know what you need to work on. Out of all the resumes we looked through, 9.3% of logistics supervisors listed continuous improvement on their resume, but soft skills such as communication skills and leadership skills are important as well.

Choose From 10+ Customizable Logistics Supervisor Resume templates

Zippia allows you to choose from different easy-to-use Logistics Supervisor templates, and provides you with expert advice. Using the templates, you can rest assured that the structure and format of your Logistics Supervisor resume is top notch. Choose a template with the colors, fonts & text sizes that are appropriate for your industry.

Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume
Logistics Supervisor Resume

Logistics Supervisor diversity

Logistics Supervisor Gender Distribution

Male
Male
77%
Female
Female
23%

After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:

  • Among logistics supervisors, 22.6% of them are women, while 77.4% are men.

  • The most common race/ethnicity among logistics supervisors is White, which makes up 59.1% of all logistics supervisors.

  • The most common foreign language among logistics supervisors is Spanish at 62.5%.

Online Courses For Logistics Supervisor That You May Like

Advertising Disclosure  

1. Supply Chain Logistics

coursera

Have you ever wondered how goods get delivered to us so quickly as soon as we order them? One word: Logistics! In this introductory Supply Chain Logistics course, I will take you on a journey to this fascinating backbone of global trade. We cover the three major building blocks of logistics networks: transportation, warehousing, and inventory. After completing this course, you will be able to differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of different modes of transportation. You will...

2. Supply Chain Management A-Z: Operations & Logistics Basics

udemy
4.4
(1,868)

Supply Chain Management Basics: An MBA style course to boost your career as a business operations & logistics manager...

3. Complete Inventory Management in Microsoft Excel & TALLY ERP9

udemy
4.1
(335)

Inventory, StockControl, Inventory Control, Microsoft Excel inventory, Stock Calculation, Inventory Valuation, LIFO, FIFO, WACC...

Show More Online Courses For Logistics Supervisor
Job type you want
Full Time
Part Time
Internship
Temporary

Best States For a Logistics Supervisor

Some places are better than others when it comes to starting a career as a logistics supervisor. The best states for people in this position are Michigan, Georgia, Washington, and Wisconsin. Logistics supervisors make the most in Michigan with an average salary of $76,976. Whereas in Georgia and Washington, they would average $74,640 and $74,561, respectively. While logistics supervisors would only make an average of $74,364 in Wisconsin, you would still make more there than in the rest of the country. We determined these as the best states based on job availability and pay. By finding the median salary, cost of living, and using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Location Quotient, we narrowed down our list of states to these four.

1. Michigan

Total Logistics Supervisor Jobs: 474
Highest 10% Earn:
$106,000
Location Quotient:
1.04

$76,976

Avg. Salary

View 474 Logistics Supervisor Jobs In MI

2. Georgia

Total Logistics Supervisor Jobs: 665
Highest 10% Earn:
$102,000
Location Quotient:
1.1

$74,640

Avg. Salary

View 665 Logistics Supervisor Jobs In GA

3. Wisconsin

Total Logistics Supervisor Jobs: 322
Highest 10% Earn:
$100,000
Location Quotient:
0.99

$74,364

Avg. Salary

View 322 Logistics Supervisor Jobs In WI
Full List Of Best States For Logistics Supervisors

How Do Logistics Supervisors Rate Their Jobs?

Working as a Logistics Supervisor? Share your experience anonymously.
Overall Rating*
Career Growth
Work/Life balance
Pay/Salary

Top Logistics Supervisor Employers

Most Common Employers For Logistics Supervisor

RankCompanyAverage SalaryHourly RateJob Openings
1Gap Inc.$109,554$52.6743
2JCPenney$107,537$51.7041
3Caterpillar$98,840$47.5224
4Quest Diagnostics$93,366$44.8940
5Ford Motor$90,076$43.3126
6Cost Plus World Market$88,017$42.3224
7UPS$82,486$39.6663
8Halliburton$76,222$36.6541
9Fluor Corporation$75,729$36.4137
10Ryder System$74,043$35.6026
Show More

Logistics Supervisor Related Careers

Logistics Supervisor Related Jobs

What Similar Roles Do

Resume For Related Jobs

Updated April 6, 2023