Logistics Manager vs. Supply Chain Manager: A Career Comparison

The procurement of goods is no small feat. With thousands of moving parts and the workforce to match, every detail counts toward getting products and consumer merchandise across the world to the right places. Think of any commodity — toys, beauty products, textiles, tools, clothing, and even vehicles — and it most likely got its start in a robust and fast-moving supply chain.

While traditional warehouse workers and staff members keep the sequence moving, a strong management team guarantees effective, timely practices to keep supplies and materials active and accounted for in national and global supply chains. In the massive world of supply chains, two management positions dominate the workforce: supply chain managers and logistics operations managers. Management roles carry multiple caveats, no matter what position is held. Often, these roles demand similar duties and responsibilities be fulfilled, so explore the ins and outs of these two roles and what it takes to become one to find out which career path may be best for you.

What Is a Supply Chain Manager?

A supply chain manager conducts the appropriate actions for efficient transportation, distribution, and storage of goods and industry materials. This position holds a holistic skill set, meaning that managers handle every step of associated processes, even before the product or manufactured item reaches its distribution point.

A supply chain manager is responsible for knowing the necessary stages of the supply chain. Compliance Chain notes the five steps to successful flow are:

1. Planning: This initial step anticipates the processes involved, potential issues, necessary materials, and more.
2. Sourcing raw materials: In construction, this means materials and supplies to complete the project. In other areas, it means sourcing the correct parts to produce a product.
3. Manufacturing: Here the materials and parts are curated, either through creation of those parts or assembly.
4. Delivering: After manufacturing, the finished product is then transported to vendors or customers.
5. Returns: While this step might sound inconsequential, returns handle excess goods, waste materials, and other discarded components of the process.

What Is a Logistics Operations Manager?

A logistics operations manager, which falls under the umbrella of transportation, storage, and distribution managers, is responsible for overseeing the supply chain of an organization through its location, workforce, and associated materials. This role also works with compliance and logistics scenarios throughout every process. O*Net Online describes logistics managers as a version of transportation, storage, and distribution managers.

How Are Supply Chain and Logistics Managers Similar?

Understandably, both roles operate as authority positions within any company. The BLS handbook states similar responsibilities between supply chain managers and logistics managers can include the following:

• Delegating and managing staff members to oversee operations
• Proving compliance for customs and freight procedures
• Establishing systems and framework for client operations
• Working with distributors, suppliers and internal departments
• Problem-solving and managing interruptions as they arise
• Scouting and training essential staff and personnel
• Managing purchasing and obtainment activities

How Are These Roles Different?

While the roles of supply chain manager and logistics manager are nearly identical in execution, there are slight differences between supply chain and logistics managers.

Supply chain management is a broad term for the process of moving and distributing goods. The breadth of knowledge goes far beyond the initial transportation of products and extends into sourcing those materials, managing a labor force, and handling customers. Many also make and maintain relationships with vendors and other external parties. Supply chain managers look at the big picture to adequately run interconnected systems.

Logistics operations management, on the other hand, functions as a subcategory of supply chain management. They often operate solely within a company or organization to organize the movement of goods and assets. A logistics manager might work with logisticians, analysts, and engineers to manage all steps of transportation, storage, and distribution but generally do not associate with external parties. In short, logistics managers can only exist within a supply chain.

What Does a Supply Chain Manager Do?

A varied set of jobs constitutes a supply chain management role. Since their positions touch every part of a process, their involvement means wearing several hats. To further dissect the exact responsibilities for a supply chain manager, O*Net Online breaks down the following tasks as:

• Maintaining quotas and adjust activities as necessary to maintain production
• Cataloging supply chain processes such as workflows, cycle times, position responsibilities, or system flows
• Seeking out uses for recycled materials to conserve costs and environmental waste
• Overseeing lifestyle analyses of equipment and procedures
• Reviewing and change laws in accordance with new rules and regulations
• Discussing pricing with vendors and suppliers
• Negotiating costs with relevant suppliers and other parties with financial investments
• Designing and implementing supply chains that adapt to businesses and their strategies

What Does a Logistics Operations Manager Do?

As stated, logistics operations managers execute a more granular set of tasks in the supply chain process, meaning their tasks might be more localized. Logistic managers responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Planning and executing warehouse safety and storage activities
• Curating and oversee departmental budgets
• Watching supplier activities to ensure requirements are met
• Studying inventory to create actionable steps for the supply chain
• Supervising workers having all steps of moving materials 
• Creating procedures for operations and emergencies

What Education Is Needed for a Supply Chain Management Career?

A combination of education and proper certifications can promote success in a supply chain or logistics manager role. At minimum, the education requirement for supply chain managers is a high school diploma, but a bachelor’s degree is usually expected for concrete roles in supply chain management. An employer for a logistics manager might ask for a bachelor’s degree as well. 

A typical supply chain management bachelor’s degree student may study:

• Management for Organizations
• Principles of Finance
• Operations Management and Quantitative Techniques
• Statistics for Managers
• Principles of Modern Supply Chain Management
• Integrated Distribution and Logistics Management

By taking on this course load, potential supply chain managers and logistics managers will absorb a well-rounded understanding of global supply chains and their characteristics, along with a technical vocabulary and practical knowledge of information systems and software programs.

What Skills Are Required for a Supply Chain Manager?

Large and small responsibilities create a diverse knowledge set for supply chain managers. O*Net Online notes that skills related to supply chain management fall mostly around the following:

• Software knowledge: One of the main components of successful supply chain manager execution is knowledge of a variety of relevant software systems, like enterprise resource planning, database reporting, process mapping and design, and more.
• Management of personnel resources: Developing a sufficient workforce and directing them accordingly.
• Management of material resources: Overseeing the use of correct materials and supplies for each step of production.
• Complex problem solving: Working issues and roadblocks as they arise.
• Appraise manufacturers: Managers will visit sites to conduct inspections and measure progress.

An in-depth understanding of software and systems is only the start of required skills for a supply chain manager. Others include:

• Customer service: A supply chain manager’s involvement in every part of a supply chain process means that vendor and customer communications might be necessary.
• Time management skills: Strict deadlines and processes mean that supply chain managers have to adhere to timetables to guarantee smooth processes.
• Leadership skills: Managers must possess the ability to motivate and encourage workers throughout all parts of the process.
• Problem-solving skills: When disruptions or interruptions in process come up, along with complaints or any dissatisfaction from customers or vendors, supply chain managers need to mitigate issues to keep things moving.
• Interpersonal skills: Beyond external communications, managers regularly converse with other departments in order to ensure proper transfer of information and smooth processes at all stages.

What Skills Are Required for a Logistics Manager?

Focusing on the products or materials at hand encompasses a large part of a logistic manager’s responsibilities. In order to execute daily operations within a supply chain, several logistical elements must be considered. The blend of skills a logistics manager needs to succeed includes:

• Systems evaluation: Keeping track of a system’s goals and objectives while monitoring performance.
• Management of material resources: Sourcing and delegating equipment and materials for projects and work.
• Critical thinking: Using reasoning and knowledge to problem-solve and innovate systems. 
• Judgment and decision-making: Deciding on actions based on crucial factors in cost and process. 
• Learning strategies: Adopt and implement systems to teach in an effective manner.

Additional Qualifications and Certifications for Supply Chain Managers and Logistics Managers

In addition, some certifications may be required for supply chain and logistics operations managers to perform the necessary duties and functions of their role, such as:

• A commercial driver’s license (CDL) may be required for managers that handle the processing and transportation of freight.
• As a multifaceted outlet, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) offers multiple certifications for professionals looking to expand their skill sets and credentials. 
• In addition, select roles within the Department of Defense may require additional credentials and commercial licensure
• Logistics operations managers can benefit from a credential from the Association of Supply Chain Management (ASCM) where they might boost their education with a Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) distinction.

What Is the Salary for a Supply Chain Manager and Logistics Operations Manager?

The salary for a supply chain manager and logistics operations manager largely depends on the industry and its requirements, location, and other factors. Management positions might see a larger salary percentage than traditional workers or related subordinates. According to the BLS, in 2024, supply chain managers and logistics operations managers (or transportation, storage, and distribution managers) earned a median annual income range of $61,200 and $180,590. 

What Are the Growth Potential and Career Outlooks for Supply Chain and Logistics Operations Managers?

The rate of growth for supply chain and logistics operations managers continues to increase, albeit at a slower pace, year after year. The projected growth for supply chain managers and logistics operations managers should maintain a 6% increase between now and 2034 as new workers replace an older and retiring workforce.

Luckily, management positions in supply chain and logistics extend to other areas of the industry, all acting as necessary roles within their companies. Many career paths prior to rote management roles often equal specialist positions that handle various components of the supply chain. Potential careers beyond supply chain and logistics managers can include:

Supply chain analyst: Handles product delivery details and administrative details between internal and external entities.

Material supply planner: This faction of supply chain management handles materials to maintain a functional assembly line.

Shipping manager: As a similar role to a logistics manager, shipping managers oversee the schedule and budgeting of a company’s shipping process, among other responsibilities.

Logistician: This hands-on role coordinates and studies the steps a product moves through in its life cycle, from acquisition to disposal.

Logistics analyst: Analysts study supply chain systems within organizations to identify issues and make suggestions for improvements.

Production planner: Organize the functions of a firm or company as a product is imagined, created, and distributed.

The aforementioned career paths maintain independent potential growth rates and applications across industries, along with a wide salary range and unique outlooks for career growth and expansion.

Overview: Logistics Operations Manager vs. Supply Chain Manager

The consumer goods market only increases in strength over time, so maintaining the broad and delicate processes of the associated supply chain remains paramount. Each role in the supply chain industry holds vital importance to the success of operations, no matter the size and scope. Whether an industry demands the thorough end-to-end operations that a logistics operations manager provides, or the comprehensive process knowledge that a supply chain manager proffers. By obtaining a relevant education and understanding the infrastructure in supply chain enterprises, pragmatic and business-minded professionals can contribute to this always-booming economic system.

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U.S. Department of Labor data regarding salary ranges and job growth projections are national in nature and do not guarantee employment, any specific salary, or job growth. Also, national long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions. UAGC programs are not designed to meet the state educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification in any state. UAGC does not guarantee employment placement, any specific salary from employment, or career advancement.