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Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 1324

Logistics and distribution manager

A logistics and distribution manager is a person who decides on an organisation's logistics services, operations and supplies, weighing the internal and external variables that make those services efficient and effective. The manager organises the storage and the distribution of goods so that the right products reach the right place at the right time and at a reasonable cost.

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Rate 5 of the 32 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

coordinate dock operations

give instructions to staff

liaise with transportation companies

attend to detail in preparation for audits

manage staff

About logistics and distribution manager

Supporting the whole chain is the first duty. The manager provides proper support for every activity in the supply chain from the outset. Analysing business plans is part of that, so that storage and transport capacity match the planned sales.

Running the operation fills the days. The manager manages the fleet against the planned operations, controls stock levels for reordering, keeps contact with the freight forwarders, and works from a knowledge of industrial shipping packaging types, needed to get a load to its destination safely.

Systems and judgement carry the rest. The manager works with the e-commerce systems that generate the orders and manages the dispatch software systems. Economic criteria are weighed in every decision, comparing the cost, delivery time and reliability of the available options.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (32)

warehouse operationswarehouse operationsThe basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage and the organisation of warehouse facilities.regulations for international transportationregulations for international transportationThe relevant regulations and legislation that applies to transportation of national or foreign cargo or passengers to and from different countries via vessels or aircraft.freight transport methodsfreight transport methodsThe different modalities of freight transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport, including the details and procedures specific to them.types of packaging used in industrial shipmentstypes of packaging used in industrial shipmentsThe various types of packaging materials used for industrial shipments, according to the type of goods to be shipped.e-commerce systemse-commerce systemsBasic digital architecture and commercial transactions for trading products or services conducted via Internet, e-mail, mobile devices, social media, etc.supply chain managementsupply chain managementThe flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.coordinate dock operationscoordinate dock operationsCoordinate cargo shipments in and out of dock. Position cranes and arrange containers into shipments, taking into account the exact measures and weight of each container.give instructions to staffgive instructions to staffGive instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.liaise with transportation companiesliaise with transportation companiesEstablish relationships with transportation companies in order to negotiate advantageous agreements for the transport of goods and livestock.attend to detail in preparation for auditsattend to detail in preparation for auditsEnsure constant compliance with standards and requirements, such as keeping certifications up to date and monitoring activities to ensure correct procedures are followed, so that audits can occur smoo...manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...analyse relation between supply chain improvement and profitanalyse relation between supply chain improvement and profitInterpret how the supply chain improvements will impact company profits. Intensify the improvement in those processes that will streamline the supply chain most effectively while generating most profi...analyse business plansanalyse business plansAnalyse the formal statements from businesses which outline their business goals and the strategies they set in place to meet them, in order to assess the feasibility of the plan and verify the busine...direct logistical functionsdirect logistical functionsCoordinate logistic operations related to product life cycles, such as distribution, delivery and final disposal of products or resources.control reorder pointscontrol reorder pointsDetermine the level of inventory which triggers an action to replenish stock of each material. This level is called the reorder point or ROP.provide operational efficiency training to employeesprovide operational efficiency training to employeesProvide resources and prepare employee training activities and workshops; increase efficiency of warehouse operations.manage dispatch software systemsmanage dispatch software systemsManage dispatch software systems to execute tasks such as work order generation, route planning, and other activities.communicate with shipment forwarderscommunicate with shipment forwardersMaintain a good flow of communication with shipper and freight forwarders, who ensure a correct delivery and distribution of goods.analyse supply chain strategiesanalyse supply chain strategiesExamine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products...liaise with colleaguesliaise with colleaguesLiaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ...create a work atmosphere of continuous improvementcreate a work atmosphere of continuous improvementWork with management practices such as continuous improvement, preventive maintenance. Pay attention to problem solving and teamwork principles. Empower teams to identify opportunities and then drive ...conduct full-scale emergency plan exercisesconduct full-scale emergency plan exercisesConduct and mobilise all efforts, support organisations, resources, and communications within the airport, to carry out prevention plan exercises in order to prepare and train airport personnel for re...handle stressful situations in the work placehandle stressful situations in the work placeDeal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.perform cost accounting activitiesperform cost accounting activitiesExecute the cost related activities and operations within the accounting activities such as standard cost development, average pricing analysis, margin and cost ratio analysis, inventory control, and ...consider economic criteria in decision makingconsider economic criteria in decision makingDevelop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.comply with checklistscomply with checklistsFollow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.anticipate the overhaul of the fleetanticipate the overhaul of the fleetAnticipate the overhaul of fleet and equipment; plan resources required to successfully perform the overhaul; ensure that regular operations continue as normal.manage the fleet according to planned operationsmanage the fleet according to planned operationsForesee fleet activity according to planned operations. Maintain an overview of available fleet resources and their characteristics and capacities; assign fleet resources according to tasks and custom...develop efficiency plans for logistics operationsdevelop efficiency plans for logistics operationsElaborate and implement plans in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste during logistics operations.manage transport of goods from warehouse facilitiesmanage transport of goods from warehouse facilitiesKnow the goods transported from warehouse facilities. Understand the legal and safety requirements of goods, the hazards that materials may represent. Provide solutions and appropriate direction for t...solve operational transport problemssolve operational transport problemsCommunicate with clients and providers in the event of a delay; undertake measures to provide solutions. Take decisions and work proactively in order to avoid operational problems.work in a logistics teamwork in a logistics teamAbility to work confidently within a logistics team, with each member of the team fulfilling a role designed to increase the efficiency of the whole.
Optional (12) — show
transportation methodstransportation methodsKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and optimal work strategies.cooperate with colleaguescooperate with colleaguesCooperate with colleagues in order to ensure that operations run effectively.oversee warehouse value-added activitiesoversee warehouse value-added activitiesOversee warehouse activities such as storage and receipt, and dispatch of various goods such as food, drinks, clothing, and household products.manage budgetsmanage budgetsPlan, monitor, report on the budget and prepare set production budgets.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.check dangerous goods transport unitcheck dangerous goods transport unitEnsure that a vehicle about to transport dangerous materials complies with safety and legal regulations. Perform visual checks to identify and report leaks or other forms of damage.identify software for warehouse managementidentify software for warehouse managementIdentify relevant software and applications used for warehouse management systems, their characteristics and value added to warehouse management operations.coordinate export transportation activitiescoordinate export transportation activitiesCoordinate all export transportation operations while considering export strategies and services.have computer literacyhave computer literacyUtilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.liaise with port usersliaise with port usersCommunicate and cooperate with port users such as shipping agents, freight customers and port managers.improve rail service deliveryimprove rail service deliveryResponsible for planning and implementing new ways of improving train service delivery to ensure the best possible customer experience at all times.coordinate import transportation activitiescoordinate import transportation activitiesOversee import transportation operations; optimise import processes and service strategies.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

warehouse manager8 shared essential skillslogistics analyst7 shared essential skillsdistribution manager6 shared essential skillsspecialised goods distribution manager5 shared essential skillsagricultural machinery and equipment distribution manager4 shared essential skillsagricultural raw materials, seeds and animal feeds distribution manager4 shared essential skillsbeverages distribution manager4 shared essential skillschemical products distribution manager4 shared essential skills

Frequently asked questions

What does a logistics and distribution manager do?

Logistics and distribution managers take decisions on logistic services, operations and provisions. They take internal and external variables into consideration for effective and successful organisational logistic services. They give appropriate support to all the activities of the supply chain from the beginning to the end. These professionals organise the storage and distribution of goods and ensure that the right products are delivered to the right location on time and at a good cost.

What skills does a logistics and distribution manager need?

A logistics and distribution manager needs 32 essential skills, including warehouse operations, regulations for international transportation, freight transport methods, types of packaging used in industrial shipments, e-commerce systems.

Will AI replace logistics and distribution manager jobs?

The AI disruption score for logistics and distribution manager is 39/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: comply with checklists, control reorder points, perform cost accounting activities. Most resilient: cooperate with colleagues, liaise with colleagues, create a work atmosphere of continuous improvement.

Quick Facts

SectorManufacturing & Production
ISCO GroupProduction and specialised services managers
Essential Skills32

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