Operations Leadership

Career Overview

Career Overview

$94,730
median annual salary
131,300
jobs nationwide in 2018
7,400
approximate # of new jobs by 2028
List item iconLead a logistics operation in all aspects of the business.
List item iconCollaborate across departments to work on business growth.
List item iconSupervise the work of logistics specialists, planners, and dispatchers.
List item iconCreate policies and procedures for logistics activities.
List item iconDirect distribution center operations and make sure they’re maximizing efficiency.
List item iconResolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, or customer issues.

What It Takes

As a veteran, you’re a natural leader. The leadership skills you’ve worked hard to build translate well to a management position within the logistics industry. If you’re someone who’s good at rallying people and inspiring confidence, take a closer look at this career.

An Eye for Detail

This position requires keeping detailed records while managing multiple projects in a quick-moving environment.

Adaptability

You must be able to manage unforeseen issues and adjust as needed to resolve problems.

Critical Thinking

You’ll need to use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of a particular process or operation.

Clear Communication

Operations leaders need strong communication skills as they collaborate with others. 

Excellent Leadership

Leading by example is critical for this position.

Career Progression

Career Progression

Step 1
Complete bachelor’s degree
Step 2
Get certified through APICS
Step 3
Work as supply chain manager/logistician
Step 4
Move into leadership

Key Companies

more companies
Logo for Airframe Components by Williams, Inc., is a certified FAA Repair Station, repairing airplane wings and control surfaces for small aircraft.
Airframe Components by Williams, Inc., is a certified FAA Repair Station, repairing airplane wings and control surfaces for small aircraft.
view
Logo for Water and Wastewater Operations Specialists are imperative to your community for access to clean drinking water and to ensure wastewater effluent is returned to the environment properly.
Water and Wastewater Operations Specialists are imperative to your community for access to clean drinking water and to ensure wastewater effluent is returned to the environment properly.
view
Logo for Co-Alliance aspires to redefine excellence delivered by a trusted team.
Co-Alliance aspires to redefine excellence delivered by a trusted team.
view
Logo for Evonik is based in Germany, and we do business around the whole world. We’re active in more than 100 countries globally and operate production plants in 27 countries on six continents. We are one of the world's leading specialty chemicals companies.
Evonik is based in Germany, and we do business around the whole world. We’re active in more than 100 countries globally and operate production plants in 27 countries on six continents. We are one of the world’s leading specialty chemicals companies.
view
Logo for As a fabricator, designer, and installer, Executive Elevator leads the vertical transportation industry in design, service, and delivery.  We specialize in both Commercial and Residential elevators with custom engineered solutions.
As a fabricator, designer, and installer, Executive Elevator leads the vertical transportation industry in design, service, and delivery. We specialize in both Commercial and Residential elevators with custom engineered solutions.
view
Logo for Griffith Rubber Mills has been a proud US rubber products manufacturer for over a century.
Griffith Rubber Mills has been a proud US rubber products manufacturer for over a century.
view
Logo for Specializing in custom refractories for the steel industry.
Specializing in custom refractories for the steel industry.
view
Logo for Kimball Electronics is a leading contract manufacturer of durable electronics serving a variety of industries on a global scale. Our team of people creates solutions that improve people’s health, safety, productivity, and comfort.
Kimball Electronics is a leading contract manufacturer of durable electronics serving a variety of industries on a global scale. Our team of people creates solutions that improve people’s health, safety, productivity, and comfort.
view
Logo for An American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials, Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive.
An American-based company and a leading supplier of building materials, Martin Marietta teams supply the resources necessary for building the solid foundations on which our communities thrive.
view
Logo for We Build: Relationships. Quality. Community. Trust.
We Build: Relationships. Quality. Community. Trust.
view
Logo for Plastic Recycling Inc. is a company that specializes in recycling plastic waste into high-quality pellets that can be used in the manufacturing of new plastic products.
Plastic Recycling Inc. is a company that specializes in recycling plastic waste into high-quality pellets that can be used in the manufacturing of new plastic products.
view
Logo for Sirva Worldwide, Inc. provides HR and mobility professionals with the resources, guidance, and support they need to achieve the best possible relocation for talent, and for the companies that move them.
Sirva Worldwide, Inc. provides HR and mobility professionals with the resources, guidance, and support they need to achieve the best possible relocation for talent, and for the companies that move them.
view
Logo for TSA’s core values of integrity, respect and commitment allow veterans to continue honoring their oath of service to the nation and its laws. We appreciate and value their experience and are proud to offer preference for many TSA.
TSA’s core values of integrity, respect and commitment allow veterans to continue honoring their oath of service to the nation and its laws. We appreciate and value their experience and are proud to offer preference for many TSA.
view
Logo for There is no other truck body or trailer manufacturer that thinks the way we do, that acts the way we do, or that is making the kind of sweeping changes to prepare our customers for a very different world—one that is coming fast and will force disruption.
There is no other truck body or trailer manufacturer that thinks the way we do, that acts the way we do, or that is making the kind of sweeping changes to prepare our customers for a very different world—one that is coming fast and will force disruption.
view
Logo for Watco seeks to shape a better future and is committed to being a well-governed, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious company.
Watco seeks to shape a better future and is committed to being a well-governed, socially responsible, and environmentally conscious company.
view
Logo for Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is a recognized global leader in the production and co-packing of Popping Corn, Microwave Popcorn and Ready-to-Eat Popcorn for numerous national brands, private label partners as well as all the beloved Pop Weaver branded item
Weaver Popcorn Manufacturing is a recognized global leader in the production and co-packing of Popping Corn, Microwave Popcorn and Ready-to-Eat Popcorn for numerous national brands, private label partners as well as all the beloved Pop Weaver branded item
view
Logo for Winona Powder Coating is the largest custom coater providing high-volume powder coating and e-coating services to industrial companies in the Midwest.
Winona Powder Coating is the largest custom coater providing high-volume powder coating and e-coating services to industrial companies in the Midwest.
view
Logo for World Arts is a professional printing, mailing, and fulfillment company specializing in the unique needs of the Life Sciences, Higher Education, and Commercial industries.
World Arts is a professional printing, mailing, and fulfillment company specializing in the unique needs of the Life Sciences, Higher Education, and Commercial industries.
view
Browse Open Positions

Browse Open Positions

Browse Open Positions
I applied
1.
Industrial Shift Supervisor, EfW Power Plant – Eligible for $5,000 Sign-On Bonus
2.
General Manager
3.
Advisor-Employee Relations (Human Resources)
4.
National Infrastructure Technician
5.
Plant Foreman: Aggregate Mining
6.
Underground Mine Supervisor: Aggregate Mining
7.
Catapult Manufacturing Instructor
8.
Production Supervisor
9.
Team Leader

Related Careers

Civil Engineer

Designs and supervises construction projects such as airports, bridges, channels, dams, railroads, and roads.
Median Salary:$68,605
Desired Skillstechnical, mathematical, leadership, decision-making
view

Driver

Becoming a driver in the logistics industry gives you the chance to take command of the open road in the country you helped protect.
Median Salary:$43,680
Desired Skillsexcellent hand-eye coordination, exceptional hearing, good health
view

Individual Contributor

Become a master of your skillset and help inform company leadership.
Median Salary:$91,729
Desired Skillsproblem solver, strong work ethic, collaborative thinker
view

Create Your INvets Profile

Take the first step toward your new career and start browsing open positions right now.