What does a logistics supervisor do?
A logistics supervisor is an individual tasked to oversee goods shipment and delivery in organizations. Supervisors manage the planning, organization, and implementation of the company's systems. They take responsibility for managing the inventory of warehouse stocks based on the foreseeable requirements. It is part of their job to schedule deliveries and pickups with the internal staff or transportation companies. Their skills should include adaptability, project management proficiency, and communication skills.
Logistics supervisor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real logistics supervisor resumes:
- Achieve continuous efficiency gains by leveraging WMS capabilities and implementing sustainable operating procedures.
- Manage distribution center activities for global and domestic inbound and outbound shipping, and export documentation.
- Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.
- Increase group efficiency as measured by time and quantity parameters using ERP system and daily records.
- Provide guidance to business units with regards to government and carrier transportation regulations (HazMat LQ/ORM-D).
- Ensure a safe working environment for all employees in accordance with current safety and OSHA requirements and directives.
- Enter loads from customer tenders into the company's WMS system while scheduling delivery appointments for all loads.
- Control and enforce HAZMAT procedures for organizations.
- Implement ISO procedures/work instructions per shipboard work environment.
- Maintain departmental records to ensure manufacturing ISO compliance.
- Supervise warehouse material handling/shipping of infant formula under FDA guidelines.
- Provide supervision and logistics expertise for implementing ERP logistics system during combat deployment supporting OEF.
- Monitor shop safety and hazardous material procedures for storage and disposal to ensure compliance with establish DoD policies.
- Complete daily revenue confirmations of all deliver and pending deliveries while verifying document accuracy within Medicare and FDA guidelines.
- Coordinate with upper management to initiate multiple logistics projects, train employees on new technology in the distribution environment.
Logistics supervisor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Logistics Supervisors are proficient in Continuous Improvement, Customer Service, and Direct Reports. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Logistics Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Continuous Improvement, 9%
Utilized continuous improvement strategies to improve shop operations resulting in superior ratings during Command Inspections.
- Customer Service, 9%
Collaborate with management, customer service, manufacturing, and sales in analyzing data to accurately forecast the replenishment of materials.
- Direct Reports, 8%
Supervised and mentored two direct reports that entailed performance reviews, corrective actions and enhancing their productivity.
- OSHA, 7%
Administered periodic Environmental and Safety compliance inspections in support of OSHA regulations enforcement.
- Shipping Receiving, 5%
Supervised one shipping receiving employee.
- Safety Procedures, 4%
Conducted safety inspections to ensure employees practiced all safety procedures.
Common skills that a logistics supervisor uses to do their job include "continuous improvement," "customer service," and "direct reports." You can find details on the most important logistics supervisor responsibilities below.
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a logistics supervisor to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what logistics supervisors do because "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Additionally, a logistics supervisor resume shows how logistics supervisors use communication skills: "coordinated all communication between internal departments regarding stock levels, maintaining inventory accuracy, as well as, daily production requirements. "
Leadership skills. Another essential skill to perform logistics supervisor duties is leadership skills. Logistics supervisors responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources." Logistics supervisors also use leadership skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "exceeded expectations/demonstrated dedication, strong work ethic, industry knowledge and leadership skills. "
Problem-solving skills. For certain logistics supervisor responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a logistics supervisor rely on this skill, as "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what logistics supervisors do: "investigated and resolved parts disputes/cycle counts from field service personnel. "
Time-management skills. A commonly-found skill in logistics supervisor job descriptions, "time-management skills" is essential to what logistics supervisors do. Logistics supervisor responsibilities rely on this skill because "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." You can also see how logistics supervisor duties rely on time-management skills in this resume example: "lead process improvement team that designed an alignment fixture for ion implanter that reduced installation time and increased machine productivity. "
The three companies that hire the most logistics supervisors are:
- Ryder System50 logistics supervisors jobs
- Kuehne+Nagel13 logistics supervisors jobs
- Apria Healthcare11 logistics supervisors jobs
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Compare different logistics supervisors
Logistics supervisor vs. Warehouse manager
Warehouse managers oversee the overall operations of a company's warehouse. They manage the inventory by ensuring that the inventory records are updated and accurate. They tend to deliveries and check all items. They ensure that items in the warehouse are appropriately stored and secured. They also supervise the shipping of items from the warehouse and ensure that the correct products are delivered. Warehouse managers continuously find ways to improve the efficiency of warehouse operations. Warehouse managers manage warehouse personnel as well, ensuring that they are trained well and motivated to work.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between logistics supervisors and warehouse manager. For instance, logistics supervisor responsibilities require skills such as "continuous improvement," "osha," "excellent time management," and "customer satisfaction." Whereas a warehouse manager is skilled in "safety regulations," "logistics," "delivery truck," and "purchase orders." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Warehouse managers earn the highest salaries when working in the technology industry, with an average yearly salary of $64,453. On the other hand, logistics supervisors are paid more in the technology industry with an average salary of $82,503.The education levels that warehouse managers earn slightly differ from logistics supervisors. In particular, warehouse managers are 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a logistics supervisor. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Logistics supervisor vs. Terminal manager
Terminal managers are professionals who are responsible for managing workers and direct dispatching activities of logistics vehicles. These managers are required to develop relationships with corporate and operational departments so that they can ensure the company logistics standards are met. They must resolve customer service complaints by implementing satisfactory solutions to retain customers. Terminal drivers must train new drivers so that they can be licensed, tested, and certified according to federal and state laws. They are also required to maintain a clean and safe working condition of their facility and equipment.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real logistics supervisor resumes. While logistics supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "continuous improvement," "shipping receiving," "excellent time management," and "cycle counts," terminal managers use skills like "dot," "payroll," "facility maintenance," and "safety rules."
On average, terminal managers earn a higher salary than logistics supervisors. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, terminal managers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $74,010. Whereas logistics supervisors have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $82,503.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Terminal managers tend to reach similar levels of education than logistics supervisors. In fact, they're 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Logistics supervisor vs. Transportation manager
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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from logistics supervisor resumes include skills like "shipping receiving," "excellent time management," "cycle counts," and "inventory management," whereas a transportation manager is more likely to list skills in "dot," "supply chain," "cdl," and "transportation operations. "
Transportation managers earn the best pay in the manufacturing industry, where they command an average salary of $70,077. Logistics supervisors earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $82,503.When it comes to education, transportation managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to logistics supervisors. In fact, they're 1.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Logistics supervisor vs. Traffic manager
The main job of a traffic manager is to make sure that account service marketing collateral works and flows efficiently to production and creative departments. Traffic managers take responsibility for keeping everyone in the team on task and the projects on deadline. They manage the logistics tasks and keep the parties up-to-date on the recent progress. It is their job to coordinate work among the account managers, staff members, and advertisers. Also, they develop and maintain procedure transportation and distribution for delivery efficiency maximization.
Types of logistics supervisor
Updated January 8, 2025
