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Logistics managers or distribution managers are responsible for coordinating the storage, transportation and delivery of goods.

A logistics or distribution manager’s key task is to organise the safe and efficient storage and distribution of goods, and to ensure that orders are fulfilled (carried out) correctly.

Other responsibilities include:

• organising shipments

• coordinating drivers, vehicles, loads and journeys

• operating IT systems

• negotiating and agreeing contracts

• developing and confirming schedules

• planning for and negotiating technical difficulties

• preparing paperwork for regulatory bodies

• liaising with and managing staff and shifts

• waste management

• monitoring stock

• ensuring health and safety standards are met

Working hours can vary depending on the industry and the type of employer. Some jobs can require working evenings and weekends, and others involve shift work and on-call duties.

Qualifications and training required

Both graduates and school leavers can become logistics or distribution managers. Various large organisations run graduate schemes with a logistics or supply chain stream. These roles are likely to involve a heavy element of management, whether that’s managing a warehouse shift, stock taking, or a fleet of vehicles. Often graduates of any subject can apply but sometimes business- or logistics-related degrees are preferred by recruiters.

Graduates and apprentices will not be expected to hold any logistics management qualifications, but are likely to be expected to obtain them as their career progresses. As well as management, qualifications could cover health and safety, forklift driving or construction site skills, for example.

Key skills for logistics and distribution managers

• Teamwork skills

• Managerial skills

• The ability to motivate others

• Interpersonal skills

• Logical reasoning

Typical employers of logistics and distribution managers

• Specialist distribution companies

• Manufacturers

• The armed forces

• Major commercial organisations

• Retailers

• Numeracy skills

• IT skills

• The ability to plan ahead and deal with unexpected changes