Profession logistics and distribution manager

Policy and planning managers plan, organize, direct and coordinate policy advice and strategic planning activities within government or for non-government organizations and private sector agencies, or manage the activities of enterprises that provide policy and strategic planning services.

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Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional

Related professions highest level management (>500 employees)

• Advertising or public relations manager
• Company director, > 500 employees
• Finance manager
• HR manager
• IT manager
• Logistics manager
• Manager, all other services
• Manufacturing plant manager
• R&D manager
• Sales or marketing manager

Knowledge

• Freight transport methods

  Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of that modality.

• Types of packaging used in industrial shipments

  Know various types of packaging materials used for industrial shipments, according to the type of goods to be shipped. Comply with regulations on packaging of goods.

• E-commerce systems

  Basic digital architecture and commercial transactions for trading products or services conducted via Internet, e-mail, mobile devices, social media, etc.

• Warehouse operations

  Know the basic principles and practices of warehouse operations such as goods storage. Understand and satisfy customer needs and requirements while effectively utilising warehouse equipment, space and labour.

• Goods transported from warehouse facilities

  Know the goods transported from warehouse facilities. Understand the legal and safety requirements of goods, the hazards that materials may represent; provide solutions and appropriate direction for the handling of goods.

• Safety regulations for warehouses

  The body of warehouse safety procedures and regulations to prevent incidents and hazards. Follow safety regulations and inspect equipment.

• Regulations for international transportation

  Know the relevant regulations and legislation that applies to transportation of national or foreign cargo or passengers to and from different countries via vessels or aircraft.

• Supply chain management

  The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

Skills

• Perform cost accounting activities

  Execute the cost related activities and operations within the accounting activities such as standard cost development, average pricing analysis, margin and cost ratio analysis, inventory control, and variance analysis. Report the results to management and advise on possible courses of action to control and reduce the costs.

• Provide operational efficiency training to employees

  Provide resources and prepares employee training activities and workshops; increase efficiency of warehouse operations.

• Manage dispatch software systems

  Manage dispatch software systems to execute tasks such as work order generation, route planning, and other activities.

• Work in a logistics team

  Ability to work confidently within a logistics team, with each member of the team fulfilling a role designed to increase the efficiency of the whole.

• Encourage teams for continuous improvement

  Empower teams to identify opportunities for continuous improvement and then drive the process to improve the results.

• Analyse supply chain strategies

  Examine an organisation's planning details of production, their expected output units, quality, quantity, cost, time available and labour requirements. Provide suggestions in order to improve products, service quality and reduce costs.

• Develop efficiency plans for logistics operations

  Elaborate and implement plans in order to increase efficiency and reduce waste during logistics operations.

• Handle stressful situations

  Deal with and manage highly stressful situations in the workplace by following adequate procedures, communicating in a quiet and effective manner, and remaining level-headed when taking decisions.

• Give instructions to staff

  Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.

• Coordinate dock operations

  Coordinate cargo shipments in and out of dock. Position cranes and arrange containers into shipments, taking into account the exact measures and weight of each container.

• Communicate with shipment forwarders

  Maintain a good flow of communication with shipper and freight forwarders, who ensure a correct delivery and distribution of goods.

• Understand supply chain improvements in relation to profit gains

  Interpret how the supply chain improvements will impact company profits. Intensify the improvement in those processes that will streamline the supply chain most effectively while generating most profit.

• Solve operational transport problems

  Communicate with clients and providers in the event of a delay; undertake measures to provide solutions. Take decisions and work proactively in order to avoid operational problems. 

• Conduct full-scale emergency plan exercises

  Conduct and mobilise all efforts, support organisations, resources, and communications within the airport, to carry out prevention plan exercises in order to prepare and train airport personnel for real-life emergency situations.

• Anticipate the overhaul of the fleet

  Anticipate the overhaul of fleet and equipment; plan resources required to successfully perform the overhaul; ensure that regular operations continue as normal.

• Consider economic criteria in decision making

  Develop proposals and take appropriate decisions taking into account economic criteria.

• Liaise with colleagues

  Liaise with fellow colleagues to ensure common understanding on work related affairs and agree on the necessary compromises the parties might need to face. Negotiate compromises between parties as to ensure that work in general run efficiently towards the achievement of the objectives.

• Ensure continuous preparedness for audits

  Ensure constant compliance with standards and requirements, such as keeping certifications up to date and monitoring activities to ensure correct procedures are followed, so that audits can occur smoothly and no negative aspects can be identified.

• Manage the fleet according to planned operations

  Foresee fleet activity according to planned operations. Maintain an overview of available fleet resources and their characteristics and capacities; assign fleet resources according to tasks and customer demands.

• Manage staff

  Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

• Analyse supply chain trends

  Analyse and make predictions about trends and evolutions in supply chain operations in relation to technology, efficiency systems, types of products shipped, and logistical requirements for shipments, in order to remain at the forefront of supply chain methodologies.

• Control reorder points

  Determine the level of inventory which triggers an action to replenish stock of each material. This level is called the reorder point or ROP.

• Liaise with transportation companies

  Establish relationships with transportation companies in order to negotiate advantageous agreements for the transport of goods and livestock.

• Comply with checklists

  Follow checklists and ensure compliance with all the items included in them.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB