Logistics managers arrange the transport of goods or passengers by road, and perhaps also by air, rail or sea. They are also called transport and distribution managers.
The Work
You could be:
planning delivery routes and schedules
overseeing the movement of goods
allocating and managing staff resources
using IT systems to manage stock, plan deliveries and produce performance reports
managing a fleet of vehicles, ensuring they are maintained and insured
dealing with legal and safety matters relating to staff, vehicles and goods being transported
operating a budget and meeting cost and income targets
ensuring timetables/schedules or targets are met
dealing with clients, maintaining records and bringing in new business.
Pay
The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:
where you work
the size of the company or organisation you work for
the demand for the job.
Salaries start at around £25,000 to £30,000 a year. The salary range for experienced logistics managers is between £35,000 and £50,000 a year. Very senior managers may earn around £65,000 a year.
Conditions
You could work for a road haulage firm, a passenger transport company or a retail organisation.
You might work in an office, a drivers’ yard, a depot or a warehouse.
You may have to work shifts, including evenings and weekends.
You might also have to be on-call at certain times.
You might have to travel between depots, or to visit customers.
You may be able to work up to a post as transport manager by starting as driver, a warehouse assistant or a clerical or administrative assistant in the transport industry. A good general education is useful and some subjects at National 4 or 5 may be preferred.
You may be able to enter directly into a transport company management training scheme or apprenticeship.
Some companies may offer Modern (SCQF Level 6), Technical (SCQF Level 8) or Professional (SCQF Level 11) Apprenticeships in Supply Chain Management. Entry requirements vary.
Larger companies may run training schemes for those who hold an appropriate HNC (SCQF Level 7), HND (SCQF Level 8), a degree (SCQF Level 9) or a postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11). Useful subjects include international trade, logistics, transport management as well as more general subjects such as administration and business studies. HNCs and HNDs require between 1 and 3 Highers plus subjects at National 5 for entry; degrees require 4-5 Highers plus subjects at National 5.
You may need to have a Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) or Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) driving licence.
You may also need the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) or an equivalent qualification (see Training).
You would train on the job and take relevant qualifications by part time study at college or by distance learning.
Large companies often have well-structured training schemes.
You might study for the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). There are four parts to the Certificate, and training is available at various centres throughout the country.
You may be able to move among different types of firm, for example, car and van hire, contract fleet, distribution or logistics, parcel delivery, manufacturing and retail companies.
With experience, you could gain promotion to posts such as area manager, regional manager or general manager.
Within large international companies, there may be opportunities to work overseas.
You may also be able to move into transport planning, transport consultancy or teaching and research work in colleges and universities.
2022
