Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Career Overview

Plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable government laws or regulations. Includes logistics managers.

Also Known As

  • Distribution Center Manager
  • Fleet Manager
  • Logistics Operations Manager
  • Supply Chain Logistics Manager

Alternate Job Titles

  • Aerial Planting and Cultivation Manager
  • Air Export Logistics Manager
  • Airport Manager
  • Ammunition Storage Superintendent
  • Area Manager
  • Auto Fleet Manager
  • Automotive Services Manager
  • Bridges Supervisor
  • Building Supervisor
  • Bulk Plant Manager
  • Bus Transportation Manager
  • Canal Superintendent
  • Car Inspection and Repair Manager
  • Cargo and Ramp Services Manager
  • Chief Wharfinger

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

  • 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.

Emerging Responsibilities

As this field evolves, you may also:

  • Direct the use of drones and autonomous vehicles for efficient and cost-effective delivery of goods and inventory management.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

  • Transportation
  • Administration and Management
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • English Language
  • Mathematics
  • Personnel and Human Resources

Essential Skills

Success in this career requires strong skills in:

  1. Reading Comprehension
  2. Active Listening
  3. Monitoring
  4. Coordination
  5. Writing
  6. Speaking
  7. Critical Thinking
  8. Active Learning
  9. Negotiation
  10. Instructing

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

  • Oral Comprehension
  • Written Comprehension
  • Written Expression
  • Problem Sensitivity
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Inductive Reasoning
  • Oral Expression
  • Near Vision
  • Information Ordering
  • Category Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

  • Dependability
  • Leadership Orientation
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Achievement Orientation

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

  • Relationships
  • Independence
  • Working Conditions
  • Support
  • Achievement

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

  • Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Bentley MicroStation
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft Visio

Tools & Equipment

  • Barcode scanners
  • Barcoding labels
  • Cell phones
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital cameras
  • Forklifts
  • Global positioning systems GPS
  • Laptop computers
  • Laser facsimile machines
  • Multi-line telephone systems
  • Pallet jacks
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Personal protective equipment
  • Photocopiers

Work Environment

  • E-Mail
  • Telephone Conversations
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  • Contact With Others
  • Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team

Salary & Job Market

Salary PercentileAnnual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)$61,200
Median$102,010
Top Earners (90th percentile)$180,590

Workers Employed Nationally: 213,000

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:


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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.

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