How to become a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager

Official title: Transportation, Storage, and Distribution 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

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

Main tasks

• 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.

How to become one

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.

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• Apprenticeship: Storage and Distribution Manager.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $107,230 a year The middle half earn $82,440 to $146,770.
• About 228,100 people work in this job now, and about 242,100 are projected by 2035. (+6.1%)
• People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Related jobs

• Supply Chain Managers
• Administrative Services Managers
• Facilities Managers
• Security Managers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Financial Managers

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager?

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.

How much does a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $107,230 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $82,440 to $146,770.

Is a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 6% by 2035, from about 228,100 to about 242,100 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager?

Not always. 33% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Storage and Distribution Manager.

Will AI change the work of a Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Manager?

People already use generative AI for some of this work. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as medium.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.