Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Summary

What Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers Do About this section

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers may monitor and track inventory levels.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers plan, direct, or coordinate transportation, storage, or distribution activities.

Duties

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically do the following:

• Plan, organize, and oversee staff to ensure efficient operations
• Collaborate with other departments, such as sales, accounting, and human resources
• Prepare and manage departmental budgets
• Oversee purchasing and procurement activities
• Interview, hire, and schedule training for staff
• Evaluate the performance of staff or work groups and devise ways to increase productivity or improve operational efficiency
• Monitor operations to ensure compliance with safety policies and regulations
• Resolve problems related to transportation and storage, supply chains, or clients

Specific tasks may vary for transportation, storage, and distribution managers. For example, in some warehouse or transportation operations, a manager may spend more time overseeing workers within the warehouse and have fewer budgetary responsibilities.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers monitor operations to ensure that staff and work practices comply with rules and regulations. For example, transportation managers may review driver logs to ensure accuracy and adherence to laws set by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Supply chain and logistics managers may verify compliance with customs procedures.

The following are examples of types of transportation, storage, and distribution managers:

Transportation managers oversee the drivers and staff of an organization’s transportation department. They monitor the workers and resources that ensure efficient, safe operations for meeting all delivery and transportation needs. In addition, they sometimes need to plan, develop, and maintain a transportation network and may be assigned a specific territory or area. Their oversight responsibilities may include a fleet of trucks for delivery; a transportation system that includes rail, bus, and paratransit; or a school bus system.

Warehouse, storage, and distribution center managers oversee the operations of storage facilities, warehouses, and distribution centers. They coordinate incoming and outgoing shipments of products and materials. They also are responsible for maintaining facilities’ cleanliness and safety, as well as for monitoring and tracking inventory levels.

Supply chain and logistics managers oversee organizations’ strategy for sourcing, storing, and moving goods to clients. These managers establish the overall supply chain framework and monitor the logistics of its operation. They communicate with suppliers, distributors, and internal departments, such as sales and accounting. They also respond to and remedy disruptions that impede the flow of goods or services.

Work Environment About this section

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically work in a warehouse or office setting.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers held about 211,800 jobs in 2023. The largest employers of transportation, storage, and distribution managers were as follows:

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically work in a variety of settings, including warehouses or offices. They may need to travel to inspect or visit other segments of the transportation or logistics network.

The work may be stressful because of the need to coordinate activities, often on tight deadlines, that must occur in a specific sequence or on a fixed schedule.

In some settings, such as railyards and warehouses, these managers may need to wear high-visibility vests, eye or ear protection, or other safety clothing and equipment.

Work Schedules

Most transportation, storage, and distribution managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week. Work schedules vary and may include nights, weekends, and holidays. Some transportation, storage, and distribution managers must be on call in case of emergencies.

How to Become a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager About this section

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers need strong interpersonal skills.

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically need a high school diploma, although some employers prefer or require a bachelor’s degree. They also need related work experience to enter the occupation.

Education

Transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically need at least a high school diploma, but education requirements for individual positions may vary.

High school classes in subjects such as English, mathematics, and economics may be helpful for prospective transportation, storage, and distribution managers.

Employers may prefer to hire candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in a field such as business, transportation, or engineering. Some colleges and universities offer bachelor's degree programs in supply chain management and logistics.

Work Experience in a Related Occupation

To enter the occupation, transportation, storage, and distribution managers typically need several years of work experience in related occupations. The amount and type of experience required often varies by organization, industry, and position.

Workers may become managers by moving into roles that require increasing responsibility or by gaining experience in a particular industry, such as warehousing. For example, hand laborers and material movers may progress to become first-line supervisors before qualifying for storage and warehouse manager positions.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Some employers require or prefer that transportation, storage, and distribution managers have specific types of certifications, licenses, or both.

Whether optional or required, certifications demonstrate competency in a particular area of transportation, storage, or distribution management. For example, the Institute for Supply Management offers the Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) certification, which emphasizes the major competencies of supply management. The Community Transit Association of America offers the Certified Community Transit Manager certification for those who have experience managing a community transportation system.

Some transportation, storage, and distribution managers may need a driver's license or a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to travel to related warehouses and storage facilities or to assist with transportation operations. Depending on the type of good or facility being managed, some states have additional licensing requirements. Occupation-specific licenses, such as for engineers and marine captains, may be required of managers who oversee some types of workers.

Important Qualities

Communication skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must be able to convey ideas clearly, both orally and in writing.

Customer service skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers may interact with clients and must respond appropriately to them.

Interpersonal skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must work well with a variety of people, including those they supervise, workers in other departments, and external clients.

Leadership skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must be able to motivate employees while coordinating supply chain and logistical operations.

Organizational skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must keep track of many details to efficiently manage a facility or a logistics network.

Problem-solving skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers must identify and address issues that arise, including supply chain disruptions, staffing concerns, and client complaints.

Time-management skills. Transportation, storage, and distribution managers often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to keep coordinated activities on schedule.

Pay About this section

The median annual wage for transportation, storage, and distribution managers was $99,200 in May 2023. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $58,810, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $175,530.

In May 2023, the median annual wages for transportation, storage, and distribution managers in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Most transportation, storage, and distribution managers work full time, and some work more than 40 hours per week.

Job Outlook About this section

Employment of transportation, storage, and distribution managers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations.

About 19,700 openings for transportation, storage, and distribution managers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.

Employment

As the growth of e-commerce makes supply chain management more dynamic and complex, transportation, storage, and distribution managers will be in demand for enhanced integration of logistics with business systems and processes. These managers will be needed to plan and coordinate an increasing volume of inventory, multiple supply chains, and sophisticated supply chain management systems. In addition, as more goods are purchased online, timeliness of delivery remains a priority for companies, further increasing demand for these workers.

State & Area Data About this section

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)

The Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations. These estimates are available for the nation as a whole, for individual states, and for metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. The link(s) below go to OEWS data maps for employment and wages by state and area.

• Transportation, storage, and distribution managers

Projections Central

Occupational employment projections are developed for all states by Labor Market Information (LMI) or individual state Employment Projections offices. All state projections data are available at www.projectionscentral.org. Information on this site allows projected employment growth for an occupation to be compared among states or to be compared within one state. In addition, states may produce projections for areas; there are links to each state’s websites where these data may be retrieved.

CareerOneStop

CareerOneStop includes hundreds of occupational profiles with data available by state and metro area. There are links in the left-hand side menu to compare occupational employment by state and occupational wages by local area or metro area. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code.

Contacts for More Information About this section

For information about transportation, storage, and distribution managers, including certification, visit

Association for Supply Chain Management

Community Transit Association of America

Institute for Supply Management

International Warehouse Logistics Association

NAFA Fleet Management Association

O*NET

Supply Chain Managers

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers