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
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Logo for Dover Precision Components delivers performance-critical solutions for rotating and reciprocating machinery across the oil & gas, power generation, marine, industrial, chemical and general processing markets.
Dover Precision Components delivers performance-critical solutions for rotating and reciprocating machinery across the oil & gas, power generation, marine, industrial, chemical and general processing markets.
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Logo for EFS works to transform environmental consultants’ and engineers’ plans into reality.
EFS works to transform environmental consultants’ and engineers’ plans into reality.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Logo for High Star Traffic was formed by rebranding three premier, founder-led traffic companies in the industry: Traffic Control & Protection [TCP], Traffic Services, Inc [TSI], and Traffic Control Specialists [TCS].
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Logo for Hoosier Racing Tire is the largest race tire manufacturer in the world, and it has grown to produce over 1,000 different types of race tires. Hoosier continues to strive for growth, both domestically and internationally.
Hoosier Racing Tire is the largest race tire manufacturer in the world, and it has grown to produce over 1,000 different types of race tires. Hoosier continues to strive for growth, both domestically and internationally.
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Logo for Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully integrated retail, foodservice and private label producer of fresh and processed meats based in Delphi, Indiana (near Lafayette, Indiana).
Indiana Packers Corporation (IPC) is a fully integrated retail, foodservice and private label producer of fresh and processed meats based in Delphi, Indiana (near Lafayette, Indiana).
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Logo for Specializing in custom refractories for the steel industry.
Specializing in custom refractories for the steel industry.
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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.
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Logo for Maple Leaf Farms is committed to keeping our employees, ducks, and you happy. We take pride in delivering quality and creative culinary experiences for you and your family!
Maple Leaf Farms is committed to keeping our employees, ducks, and you happy. We take pride in delivering quality and creative culinary experiences for you and your family!
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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.
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Logo for Master Spas is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Operating out of a state-of-the-art, 50-acre campus, we are the largest swim spa manufacturer in the world, and largest portable spa and hot tub manufacturer that makes 100% of our product in the USA.
Master Spas is based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Operating out of a state-of-the-art, 50-acre campus, we are the largest swim spa manufacturer in the world, and largest portable spa and hot tub manufacturer that makes 100% of our product in the USA.
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Logo for We Build: Relationships. Quality. Community. Trust.
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Founded in Fort Wayne, IN in 1943, OmniSource, LLC has grown to become one of North America’s largest processors, distributors, and managers of scrap and secondary metals.
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Logo for Parrish Consulting Services, Inc. provides professional technology services to the SMB Marketplace.
Parrish Consulting Services, Inc. provides professional technology services to the SMB Marketplace.
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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.
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Logo for Sustainable solutions to create a cleaner, safer and healthier world.

We deliver comprehensive environmental services to support your business, home and community.
Sustainable solutions to create a cleaner, safer and healthier world. We deliver comprehensive environmental services to support your business, home and community.
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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.
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Logo for TQL connects customers with shipping needs with carriers that have the available capacity and service offerings.
TQL connects customers with shipping needs with carriers that have the available capacity and service offerings.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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