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
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationNegotiationInstructingActive LearningTime Management
Knowledge areas
TransportationAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematics
Technology & tools
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareLabel making softwareData base user interface and query softwareInventory management softwareRoute navigation software
Representative 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.Interview, select, and train warehouse and supervisory personnel.Advise sales and billing departments of transportation charges for customers' accounts.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.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.Examine invoices and shipping manifests for conformity to tariff and customs regulations.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.Direct inbound or outbound operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, and logistics quality management.Plan or implement improvements to internal or external systems or processes.Recommend or authorize capital expenditures for acquisition of new equipment or property to increase efficiency and services.Review invoices, work orders, consumption reports, or demand forecasts to estimate peak performance periods and to issue work assignments.
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
712 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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