Logistics Manager Spotlight

In the oil and gas industry, supplies are always coming in and products are always moving out. And whether they truck it, barge it, fly it or rail it, companies need Logistics Managers to weigh the pros and cons of every option.

What a typical day looks like:

Logistics Manager is like the heart that pumps the flow of materials and supplies in and out of an organization. But they are also the brain that determines how materials come and go. Employed by oil and gas companies, equipment manufacturers, logistics services companies and government, Logistics Managers work in offices on the phone or on a computer.

The kinds of problems Logistics Managers solve at work:

Logistics are a juggling act of numbers and human factors. Logistics Managers balance cost, quality, delivery timelines and safety, all while watching market conditions and material costs. Logistics Managers also maintain relationships with suppliers and customers while training and supporting the staff they lead.

Skills used most on the job:

Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills are essential for Logistics Managers. Being able to drive a hard bargain means getting the best logistics solutions, but even the best contract requires someone who can manage personnel, logistics systems and daily operations.

And, like the systems they oversee, Logistics Managers need to be highly organized and capable of multitasking. First, they need know exactly what is coming and going and who is moving what—all contractors and providers must have good safety records along with the required permits and licenses. Then, a good Logistics Manager needs to know the laws, regulations and market conditions that influence how it all happens.

The flow of goods and services never stops in the oil and gas industry, which means that neither does the job of a Logistics Manager.