Find out what you need to be a good logistics manager and future of supply chain management.

Table of content

Key Learnings

You’ll know the role and responsibilities of a logistics manager. Movement of goods using the supply chain. The cycle goes from suppliers to warehouses to customers.
Responsible for daily operations, strategic planning, and coordinating with departments and vendors.
Management of transportation, inventory control, and supply chain coordination.
Skills needed, such as analytic skills, problem-solving ability, and technological understanding,.
Understanding of future factors. Such as sustainability, e-commerce growth, and globalization.
You’ll know the steps you can take to enhance the warehouse eco-system.

Introduction

Whenever you use a product, you must have wondered how it reached you. To reach a product to thousands of customers, supply chain management takes place. In this whole operation, the role of the logistics manager is crucial. The logistics manager maintains operations. Ensures the product reaches clients on time. They coordinate with a lot of departments and vendors. Supply chain experts, such as sellers, transports, suppliers, shipping vendors, and customers.

Warehouse and supply chain management involve needed skills. Such as problem-solving and communication skills. In this article, we’ll look at the tasks of logistics managers. and how their role enhances the company’s supply chain management.

What does a logistics manager do?

A logistics manager handles the company’s supply chain management. He/she oversees the complete movement of the goods on the warehouse floor. Manages the tasks and operations that are happening on the warehouse floor. The task involves a lot of strategic planning. Creating storage spaces to accommodate more goods without causing hindrance to the daily routine of the supply chain. Collaboration with other departments for a coherent work flow. Scheduling routes for transport, managing inbound and outbound shipping, and also keeping crucial factors into consideration, such as maintaining transportation cost, distance, and time,.

On a daily basis, a logistics manager has goals to achieve and a plan of action to follow. There are several parameters that can cause hindrances to the daily schedule. So adaptability is one of the most important skills a logistics manager can possess.

The logistics industry is a 24×7 working industry. A warehouse serves multiple customers at a time, which involves a lot of management and meeting the different requirements of each customer. The logistics managers have to deal with the customs department if they have overseas customers. Communication with clients and departments to solve problems is also an important task for a logistics manager. Since a logistics manager’s role involves maintaining costs, he negotiates with contractors and suppliers for better rates.

A logistics manager engages in daily operations as well as long term strategic planning, such as:

Transportation Management

An important aspect of supply chain management is coordination. He or she manages the movement of goods from suppliers to warehouses and to customers. Managing circumstances between warehouses and ensuring timely delivery to customers. The logistics managers play a central role in handling all the movements. Apart from this, it requires optimizing transportation routes, finding and selecting appropriate carriers, and planning to ensure timely delivery. A logistics manager needs to have digital literacy in order to speed up his work. A specialized piece of software can be used to speed up the work.

Inventory control

A logistics manager supervises and manages the inventory levels based on the demand for stocks, making sure the floor doesn’t have excessive stock. The process involves forecasting the demands of the client. Technology can be used to predict the pattern

Of demand using previous data. Tracking the quantity of the products and further orders using a warehousing management system can help make tasks easy and predictable. Inventory control also involves workable operations such as picking, packaging, shipping, and labelling. The implementation of safety protocols is also a must.

Supply chain coordination

Supply chain management involves to-and-fro collaboration with stakeholders. Such as suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. The tasks involves communicating with multiple people at a time. Effective coordination can make a logistics manager’s workload easier. The logistics manager monitors the performance of the team and ensures the team focuses on key metrics. A logistics manager needs to analyze the reports to identify areas for improvement in the supply chain.

How Do Their Skills Help in Supply Chain Management?

The role of a logistics manager requires a diverse skill set. Which helps with the complexities of supply chain management. Since they coordinate with upper management along with on ground team members, they understand the parameters for effective business. They drive business to a profitable outcome by eliminating unnecessary costs for the business. A proper management of

warehouse helps predict the inbound flow of the products. These help in acquiring more clients.

A logistics manager maintains a business relationship with distributors and suppliers. Which can be helpful when handling multiple clients. They can be utilized based on customer and business demand.

A connection with multiple vendors gives logistics managers insights about rates and deals. The proper insight helps companies quote a fair deal to their clients. The market knowledge helps companies review their financial spending. Logistics managers help companies by negotiating shipping rates at a reasonable price. A logistics manager works with various departments, which helps improve the organization.

The warehouse floor requires supervision on the teams. Managing the team requires leadership skills and overseeing the outcomes as well.

Some key skills include:

Analytical Skill

A logistics manager is involved in a lot of paperwork, mail, and files. He/she must be able to analyze data, identify progress, predict demand, and see the pace of the work. The data can be of various types, such as numbers, charts, and business proposals. The data comes from sales, inventory, transportation and vendors. Different data from every department. A strong analytic skill can help a logistics manager speed up the business.

Problem-Solving Abilities

As we discussed, the supply chain is a continuous business. It can be dynamic and volatile at the same time. A logistics manager needs to be adaptable. Skilled to identify and forecast problems. He/she needs to be able to resolve logistical challenges as quickly as possible. The common problems that occur are delays in transportation, and disruptions in the supply chain.

These problems often require quick solutions to minimize the impact on the flow of operations.

Technology Proficiency

The technologies are being introduced in the market to increase the pace of the workflow. Based on companies spending power, the latest technology can be utilized. Such as warehouse management systems, GPS tracking devices, and radio frequency identification (RFID). A logistics manager must be proficient in these technologies and keen to know about the latest advancements as well. These technologies can be used to further improve the operations and efficiency on the floor.

Future Factors a Logistics Manager Should Know

The logistics and warehouse sectors are evolving. The industry is experiencing a shift with new technologies. Based on the development of trade, new problems are emerging, and technologies are also developing simultaneously. A logistics manager needs to adapt to upcoming technologies and future changes.

A logistics manager needs to develop a new framework for operations based on accessible technology. Technological development can give businesses a competitive advantage over other key players in the business.

The EIS annual reports have showcased some of the common problems organizations face. These problems can become knots if not rectified. The knots, such as overstocking, understocking, delays in route planning, or transport miscommunication, can become an anchor in the growth of business. This can also lead to losses of capital and sales.

The logistics manager needs to be able to forecast problems as well as opportunities. A strategic approach not only involves the operations of the supply chain but also what can be used to streamline the process of current market demand. Customer expectations are always on the driving seat. A logistic manager needs to be in the passenger seat to ensure the availability and reliability of the services.

Some key factors to consider include:

Sustainability

Environmental degradation has a significant impact on the management of the supply chain. A logistics manager needs to devise strategies based on the environmental impact. A sustainable approach needs to be followed to manage growing environmental concerns. Practices, such as optimizing transportation routes, improving fuel efficiency, reducing packaging waste, or using recycled packaging. The facilities can go green by using renewable energy, such as solar systems.

E-commerce Growth

Consumer behaviour evolves with time, which gives a boost to e-commerce businesses and demands fast delivery, which is now the norm. A logistics manager needs to optimize the strategies, keeping online shoppers in mind. Features such as same day delivery are creating a fast paced demand for supply chain management. Order placement is enhanced. Technology, such as tracking devices for deliveries, can be used to measure the ordering capabilities.

Globalization

The trade sector is an interconnected world, and logistics frameworks need to be changed accordingly. The complexities can arise from a lot of factors. A logistics manager needs to look at international trade as regular business. The changes in trade regulations, policies, geo-politics and natural disasters need to be looked at to mitigate customs clearance problems.

Conclusion

The logistics manager role is multidisciplinary. He/she is involved in multiple areas of supply chain management. Transportation management, inventory control, warehousing, and supply chain coordination. These spaces require responsible behaviour. They must have strong analytical skills and the ability to solve complex problems. Communication skills to coordinate with various segments of people, and exposure to trending developments in the sector. Technological awareness can be an instrument for ensuring the smooth functioning of the supply chain. The sector shifts dynamically due to associations with multiple factors. Logistics managers need to be adaptable to form new strategies to develop warehouse ecosystems in the need of the hour. At last, operational excellence is needed to achieve a continuous goal with ease.

Connect Now

Logistics Manager Responsibilities in Supply Chain Management: Key Learnings & Future Factors