Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

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

Also called: Distribution Center Manager, Distribution Manager, Fleet Manager, Global Transportation Manager, Logistics Director, Logistics Operations Manager, Shipping Manager, Supply Chain Logistics Manager, Transportation Manager, Warehouse Supervisor, 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, Cold Storage Supervisor, Communications and Signals Supervisor, Compressor Stations Superintendent, Contract Manager, Corporate Logistics Manager, Corporate Traffic Manager, Customer Logistics Manager, Delivery Manager, Dispatch Manager, Distribution Center Operations Manager, Distribution Center Supervisor, Distribution Coordinator, Distribution Superintendent, Division Road Supervisor, Division Roadmaster, Dock Superintendent, Dockmaster, Driver Manager, Flight Control Manager, Flight Operations Manager, Flight Reservations Manager, Flight Superintendent, Freight Coordinator, Fulfillment Manager, General Car Yard Supervisor, General Road Foreman, General Road Supervisor, Global Logistics Manager, Harbor Department Manager, Import Coordinator, Import Export Manager, Import Manager, Integrated Logistics Programs Director, Integrated Logistics Support Manager (ILS Manager), International Logistics Manager, Inventory Control Manager, Load Out Supervisor, Logistics Analytics Manager, Logistics and Planning Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Logistics Management Specialist, Logistics Manager, Logistics Operations Director, Logistics Solution Manager, Logistics Supervisor, Logistics Supply Officer, Logistics Team Leader, Logistics Vice President, Marine Oil Terminal Superintendent, Marine Superintendent, Measurement Superintendent, Operations Director, Pipelines Superintendent, Port Traffic Manager, Print Traffic Manager, Railroad Car Inspection and Repair Regional Superintendent, Receiving Manager, Schedule Planning Manager, Service Delivery Manager, Sewer System Supervisor, Shipping Coordinator, Shipping Receiving Manager, Shipping Supervisor, Station Manager, Station Master, Station Supervisor, Stations Superintendent, Storage and Distribution Manager, Storage Manager, Substation Manager, Telegraph Office Manager, Terminal Manager, Terminal Operations Supervisor, Terminal Superintendent, Traffic Director, Traffic Manager, Traffic Superintendent, Traffic Supervisor, Train Master, Train Operations Manager, Train Operations Supervisor, Trainmaster, Transportation Coordinator, Transportation Director, Transportation Maintenance Supervisor, Transportation Program Director, Transportation Project Manager, Transportation Specialist, Transportation Superintendent, Transportation Supervisor, Truck Terminal Manager, Warehouse Foreman, Warehouse Manager, Warehouse Operations Manager, Warehouse Shift Supervisor, Water and Sewer Systems Superintendent, Waterworks Supervisor, Wharfinger, Wharfmaster

This is a career information profile, not an advertised job opening.

What the worker does

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.
Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
Monitor operations to ensure that staff members comply with administrative policies and procedures, safety rules, union contracts, environmental policies, or government regulations.
Analyze the financial impact of proposed logistics changes, such as routing, shipping modes, product volumes or mixes, or carriers.

Skills, machines and equipment

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Monitoring
Coordination
Writing
Speaking
Critical Thinking
Active Learning
Negotiation
Instructing
Complex Problem Solving
Systems Analysis

Education and training

Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.

O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships

Ask an employer or registered apprenticeship sponsor about current programs, eligibility, training and pay. A career profile does not confirm that a program is available.

Salary reference

82,440–146,770 USD per year · United States · 2025. Source: BLS OEWS via O*NET · 25th–75th percentiles · SOC 11-3071.

Occupational-group wage references are not guaranteed pay for this specialty or an employer's offer.

Career advancement

Suggested development: build experience in safety leadership, staff development, budgeting, and continuous improvement before seeking responsibility for a larger department or plant.
Possible next steps include broader operations or multi-site leadership; vacancies, qualifications, and advancement are employer-specific, not guaranteed.

How Do I Get This Job?

Review the skills and responsibilities above.
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
O*NET Job Zone 4: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training. A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified. This is broad occupational preparation context; confirm the requirements for a specific employer or apprenticeship.
Compare real openings and confirm requirements directly with the employer.

View available jobs — availability is not guaranteed; sample listings are not real openings.

Related career information

Sources and limitations

O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. ShopFloor adapted occupational grouping, selected manufacturing-relevant occupations, and retained seven legacy guide titles. Specialties and alternative titles are grouped under O*NET occupations; these occupations can also occur outside manufacturing. Source: https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html. No wage, vacancy, certification, or video data is implied. ShopFloor advancement suggestions are general editorial guidance, not O*NET findings or guaranteed career progression. BLS wage ranges, when available, are national 25th–75th percentiles for the source occupational grouping, across industries; they are not local, apprentice, entry-level, or specialty-specific offers.

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers