Occupation · SOC 11-3071
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers
Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.
Median wage
$102,010
$61,200–$180,590
Projected growth
+6.0%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,310
per year
Employed (US)
213,000
Job Zone 4
Typical preparation
Considerable preparation
Stackable credential programs
3,342 mapped
Core skills
Reading ComprehensionActive ListeningMonitoringCoordinationWritingTime ManagementSystems AnalysisSpeakingNegotiationInstructingCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive LearningSystems EvaluationPersuasionJudgment and Decision MakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesMathematicsOperations MonitoringQuality Control AnalysisOperations AnalysisTroubleshootingOperation and ControlTechnology DesignProgrammingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceScienceRepairing
Knowledge areas
TransportationAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingProduction and ProcessingComputers and ElectronicsLaw and GovernmentAdministrativeEducation and TrainingGeographySales and MarketingPsychologyTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalSociology and AnthropologyBuilding and ConstructionFood ProductionDesignTherapy and CounselingForeign LanguageChemistryPhilosophy and TheologyPhysicsHistory and ArcheologyBiologyMedicine and DentistryFine Arts
Technology & tools
3PL CentralABOL Manifest SystemsALK Technologies FleetSuiteALK Technologies PC*MilerAirline global distribution systems GDS softwareAljex InventoryAmber RoadArgos Software ABECAS Insight FMSAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutomated expense reporting system softwareBentley MicroStationBentley Transportation Data ManagerCadre Technologies Accuplus Integrated Distribution Logistics SystemCadre Technologies Cadence Transportation Management SystemCadre Technologies Cadence Warehouse Management SystemCatalyst International CatalystConnectCoPilot TruckDSA Foxware Warehouse ManagementDatabase softwareESRI ArcLogisticsEaton Fleet AdvisorEmail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareFedEx Ship ManagerFleetware softwareFour Soft 4S VisiLogFour Soft 4S eLogFreight Rail Crew Optimization Scheduling FRCOS softwareGeometrixGraphics softwareHewlett Packard HP-UXHighJump Software Warehouse AdvantageIBM Lotus NotesIBM NotesIBM Power Systems softwareIBM i2 Transportation ManagerIMSure Solutions SHIPflexInfor ERP BaanInfosite Technologies DM WarehousingInfosite Technologies Dispatch-Mate
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesGetting InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkWorking with ComputersDeveloping and Building TeamsGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesDocumenting/Recording InformationEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesSelling or Influencing OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicAssisting and Caring for OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentHandling and Moving ObjectsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Warehouse receiving and shipping workflows — follow established standard operating procedures under supervisor guidance in a distribution center environment.Inventory management software — enter and retrieve basic stock data under direct oversight using company-approved systems such as an ERP platform.Warehouse safety rules and posted security protocols — recognize and apply during daily floor operations under the direction of a senior manager.Physical condition of equipment and storage areas — conduct routine visual inspections and report deficiencies to a supervising manager.Subordinate worker schedules and task assignments — assist in coordinating daily workloads using provided templates and checklists.Freight documentation and shipping labels — prepare accurately using label-making and database software following established formatting standards.Transportation regulations and basic logistics terminology — demonstrate foundational comprehension when reviewing carrier invoices and manifests.Routine customer and interdepartmental inquiries about order status — respond using provided scripts and escalate unresolved issues to a senior manager.Warehouse incident and exception logs — record accurately and submit to supervisory staff in a timely manner following facility protocols.Route navigation and basic dispatch tools — operate under supervision to support day-to-day fleet coordination in a regional distribution environment.
developing
Warehouse staff engaged in receiving, storing, and shipping — supervise daily activities with reduced oversight to ensure throughput meets facility targets.Warehouse safety and security program components — implement scheduled drills, audits, and corrective actions in coordination with the safety team.Fleet vehicles and material-handling equipment — evaluate physical conditions routinely and initiate maintenance work orders or replacement requests as needed.Standard and emergency operating procedures for product handling — draft and update documentation using approved templates in response to operational changes.Logistics cost data and carrier performance metrics — analyze using analytical or scientific software to identify recurring inefficiencies in a regional network.Interdepartmental coordination with sales, accounting, and order management — facilitate regular information exchange to align logistics workflows with business requirements.Common transportation and import/export issues — troubleshoot and resolve using established escalation paths and regulatory reference materials.Materials requirements planning software — configure and maintain replenishment parameters to support accurate inventory positioning across warehouse locations.Staff performance feedback and on-the-job instruction — deliver to warehouse associates on proper handling, safety, and system usage during shift operations.Time-sensitive shipping disruptions — manage by adjusting routing plans and communicating revised timelines to affected internal stakeholders.
proficient
Full warehouse and distribution center operations — manage autonomously, ensuring receiving, storage, testing, and outbound shipping meet organizational KPIs.Comprehensive logistics network analysis — conduct across cost, transit time, carrier capacity, and compliance dimensions to recommend the most efficient transportation solutions.Complex transportation, import/export, or customer escalation issues — resolve independently by applying regulatory knowledge, negotiation skills, and cross-functional authority.Enterprise resource planning and inventory management systems — leverage advanced configurations to optimize stock accuracy, order fulfillment, and demand responsiveness.Warehouse safety and security programs — design, implement, and continuously improve using risk assessments, audit findings, and public safety and security frameworks.Cross-functional logistics integration — lead collaboration with sales, accounting, production, and IT to embed supply chain considerations into enterprise business processes.Capital expenditure proposals for fleet upgrades or facility improvements — develop with supporting financial analysis and present to senior leadership for approval.Standard and emergency operating procedures — author comprehensive documentation covering receiving, handling, storage, shipping, and salvage scenarios for multi-site operations.Workforce planning and performance management — execute across a team of supervisors and associates, applying personnel and human resources best practices.Logistics systems evaluation — apply systems analysis methodologies to assess whether current technology tools and processes continue to meet evolving organizational needs.
advanced
Enterprise-wide logistics and distribution strategy — set long-range direction aligned with corporate growth objectives across multiple facilities and transportation modes.Organizational safety and security policy framework — establish standards, governance structures, and accountability systems for transportation and distribution operations at scale.Senior manager and supervisor development — mentor and coach the next generation of logistics leaders through structured programs, stretch assignments, and ongoing feedback.Executive-level decisions on fleet, infrastructure, and technology investments — drive using total-cost-of-ownership modeling, market intelligence, and strategic risk assessment.Cross-enterprise systems integration roadmap — lead coordination among logistics, IT, finance, and operations to unify ERP, MRP, and analytics platforms across the organization.Network design and optimization initiatives — direct large-scale restructuring of distribution networks to reduce cost, improve service levels, and build supply chain resilience.High-stakes regulatory, customs, or carrier negotiations — lead on behalf of the organization, applying deep knowledge of law, government requirements, and commercial leverage.Organizational culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement — cultivate across distribution centers by championing metrics-driven management and innovation.Board, executive, and investor communication on logistics performance — author and present strategic reports that translate complex supply chain data into business impact narratives.Industry partnerships, trade associations, and government relations — represent the organization to shape logistics policy, standards, and best practices at a sector level.
Also known as
124 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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