Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Overview

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Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience

A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.

Education

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Examples

Many of these occupations involve coordinating, supervising, managing, or training others. Examples include real estate brokers, sales managers, database administrators, graphic designers, conservation scientists, art directors, and cost estimators.

Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

Yearly Salary

High: $164K
Median: $96K
Low: $56K

Demand

Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend

Core Tasks

  • Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
  • Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
  • Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
  • Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
  • Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
  • Analyze all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
  • Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
  • Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
  • Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
  • Analyze the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.
  • Monitor inventory levels of products or materials in warehouses.
  • Establish or monitor specific supply chain-based performance measurement systems.
  • Prepare and manage departmental budgets.
  • Monitor product import or export processes to ensure compliance with regulatory or legal requirements.
  • Prepare management recommendations, such as proposed fee and tariff increases or schedule changes.
  • Advise sales and billing departments of transportation charges for customers' accounts.
  • Interview, select, and train warehouse and supervisory personnel.
  • Analyze expenditures and other financial information to develop plans, policies, or budgets for increasing profits or improving services.
  • Confer with department heads to coordinate warehouse activities, such as production, sales, records control, or purchasing.
  • Examine invoices and shipping manifests for conformity to tariff and customs regulations.
  • Implement specific customer requirements, such as internal reporting or customized transportation metrics.
  • Maintain metrics, reports, process documentation, customer service logs, or training or safety records.
  • Plan or implement energy saving changes to transportation services, such as reducing routes, optimizing capacities, employing alternate modes of transportation, or minimizing idling.
  • Evaluate contractors or business partners for operational efficiency or safety or environmental performance records.
  • Negotiate with carriers, warehouse operators, or insurance company representatives for services and preferential rates.
  • Develop or implement plans for facility modification or expansion, such as equipment purchase or changes in space allocation or structural design.

Technology Skills

Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Accounting software
Automated expense reporting system software
Analytical or scientific software
QUALCOMM ViaWeb
Backup or archival software
Veritas NetBackup
Business intelligence and data analysis software
Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition
Calendar and scheduling software
Scheduling software
Compliance software
Shipping Solutions
Computer aided design CAD software
Bentley MicroStation
Data base reporting software
SAP Business Objects
Data base user interface and query software
Structured query language SQL
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
SAP software
Enterprise system management software
IBM Power Systems software
Financial analysis software
Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
Geographic information system
ESRI ArcLogistics
Graphics or photo imaging software
Graphics software
Inventory management software
Sentai Pinpoint
Label making software
ABOL Manifest Systems
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software
Warehouse management system WMS
Metadata management software
Quest Erwin Data Modeler
Mobile location based services software
Transportation management system TMS software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office software
Operating system software
Hewlett Packard HP-UX
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Process mapping and design software
Microsoft Visio
Project management software
Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
Route navigation software
Intergraph GeoMedia Transportation Manager
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Time accounting software
WorkForce Software EmpCenter Time and Attendance
Word processing software
Microsoft Word

Tools Used

Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Cell phones
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Data Voice or Multimedia Network Equipment or Platforms and Accessories
Wireless communication and satellite positioning tools
Material handling machinery and equipment
Pallet jacks
Office machines and their supplies and accessories
Photocopiers
Personal safety and protection
Personal protective equipment
Photographic or filming or video equipment
Digital cameras
Signage and accessories
Barcoding labels
Transportation components and systems
Global positioning systems GPS

Top 10 Knowledge Required

Transportation
90%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Administration and Management
83%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service
80%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language
76%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

Mathematics
72%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Personnel and Human Resources
71%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Public Safety and Security
70%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Economics and Accounting
65%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Computers and Electronics
64%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Production and Processing
64%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Top 10 Skills

Active Listening
78%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Reading Comprehension
78%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Coordination
75%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Monitoring
75%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning
73%
Importance

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Complex Problem Solving
73%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Critical Thinking
73%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Instructing
73%
Importance

Teaching others how to do something.

Negotiation
73%
Importance

Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.

Speaking
73%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Top 10 Abilities

Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Written Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

Written Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

Deductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
78%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Problem Sensitivity
78%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

Category Flexibility
75%
Importance

The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.

Information Ordering
75%
Importance

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Near Vision
75%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Oral Expression
75%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Top 10 Work Activities

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
88%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
87%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Getting Information
86%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
82%
Importance

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Working with Computers
81%
Importance

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Developing and Building Teams
80%
Importance

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates
80%
Importance

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Communicating with People Outside the Organization
79%
Importance

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
79%
Importance

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
78%
Importance

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Supervise employees.
  • Implement organizational process or policy changes.
  • Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
  • Inspect condition or functioning of facilities or equipment.
  • Purchase materials, equipment, or other resources.
  • Confer with organizational members to accomplish work activities.
  • Analyze data to inform operational decisions or activities.
  • Implement transportation changes to reduce environmental impact.
  • Resolve customer complaints or problems.
  • Develop emergency response plans or procedures.
  • Document organizational or operational procedures.
  • Monitor activities of individuals to ensure safety or compliance with rules.
  • Analyze financial records to improve efficiency.
  • Monitor inventories of products or materials.
  • Monitor organizational procedures to ensure proper functioning.
  • Prepare operational budgets.
  • Monitor organizational compliance with regulations.
  • Advise others on business or operational matters.
  • Interview employees, customers, or others to collect information.
  • Conduct employee training programs.
  • Hire personnel.
  • Analyze financial records to improve budgeting or planning.
  • Maintain operational records.
  • Examine financial records to ensure compliance with policies or regulations.
  • Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures for green or sustainable operations.
  • Monitor performance of organizational members or partners.
  • Negotiate contracts for transportation, distribution, or logistics services.
  • Plan facility layouts or designs.
  • Direct organizational operations, projects, or services.
  • Develop operating strategies, plans, or procedures.
  • Approve expenditures.
  • Analyze forecasting data to improve business decisions.

Interests

Enterprising
86%
Importance

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Conventional
82%
Importance

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Realistic
52%
Importance

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Investigative
38%
Importance

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Social
35%
Importance

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Work Values

Relationships
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
75%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
74%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Support
69%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Achievement
64%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
61%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.