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Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

SOC 11-3071.00Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers transportation, warehouse, and distribution management practice contexts ranging from day-to-day facility operations and fleet oversight to enterprise-level supply chain strategy, regulatory compliance, and cross-functional leadership in medium-to-large industrial and commercial organizations.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Warehouse receiving and shipping workflows — follow established standard operating procedures under supervisor guidance in a distribution center environment.
  2. Inventory management software — enter and retrieve basic stock data under direct oversight using company-approved systems such as an ERP platform.
  3. Warehouse safety rules and posted security protocols — recognize and apply during daily floor operations under the direction of a senior manager.
  4. Physical condition of equipment and storage areas — conduct routine visual inspections and report deficiencies to a supervising manager.
  5. Subordinate worker schedules and task assignments — assist in coordinating daily workloads using provided templates and checklists.
  6. Freight documentation and shipping labels — prepare accurately using label-making and database software following established formatting standards.
  7. Transportation regulations and basic logistics terminology — demonstrate foundational comprehension when reviewing carrier invoices and manifests.
  8. Routine customer and interdepartmental inquiries about order status — respond using provided scripts and escalate unresolved issues to a senior manager.
  9. Warehouse incident and exception logs — record accurately and submit to supervisory staff in a timely manner following facility protocols.
  10. Route navigation and basic dispatch tools — operate under supervision to support day-to-day fleet coordination in a regional distribution environment.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Warehouse staff engaged in receiving, storing, and shipping — supervise daily activities with reduced oversight to ensure throughput meets facility targets.
  2. Warehouse safety and security program components — implement scheduled drills, audits, and corrective actions in coordination with the safety team.
  3. Fleet vehicles and material-handling equipment — evaluate physical conditions routinely and initiate maintenance work orders or replacement requests as needed.
  4. Standard and emergency operating procedures for product handling — draft and update documentation using approved templates in response to operational changes.
  5. Logistics cost data and carrier performance metrics — analyze using analytical or scientific software to identify recurring inefficiencies in a regional network.
  6. Interdepartmental coordination with sales, accounting, and order management — facilitate regular information exchange to align logistics workflows with business requirements.
  7. Common transportation and import/export issues — troubleshoot and resolve using established escalation paths and regulatory reference materials.
  8. Materials requirements planning software — configure and maintain replenishment parameters to support accurate inventory positioning across warehouse locations.
  9. Staff performance feedback and on-the-job instruction — deliver to warehouse associates on proper handling, safety, and system usage during shift operations.
  10. Time-sensitive shipping disruptions — manage by adjusting routing plans and communicating revised timelines to affected internal stakeholders.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Full warehouse and distribution center operations — manage autonomously, ensuring receiving, storage, testing, and outbound shipping meet organizational KPIs.
  2. Comprehensive logistics network analysis — conduct across cost, transit time, carrier capacity, and compliance dimensions to recommend the most efficient transportation solutions.
  3. Complex transportation, import/export, or customer escalation issues — resolve independently by applying regulatory knowledge, negotiation skills, and cross-functional authority.
  4. Enterprise resource planning and inventory management systems — leverage advanced configurations to optimize stock accuracy, order fulfillment, and demand responsiveness.
  5. Warehouse safety and security programs — design, implement, and continuously improve using risk assessments, audit findings, and public safety and security frameworks.
  6. Cross-functional logistics integration — lead collaboration with sales, accounting, production, and IT to embed supply chain considerations into enterprise business processes.
  7. Capital expenditure proposals for fleet upgrades or facility improvements — develop with supporting financial analysis and present to senior leadership for approval.
  8. Standard and emergency operating procedures — author comprehensive documentation covering receiving, handling, storage, shipping, and salvage scenarios for multi-site operations.
  9. Workforce planning and performance management — execute across a team of supervisors and associates, applying personnel and human resources best practices.
  10. Logistics systems evaluation — apply systems analysis methodologies to assess whether current technology tools and processes continue to meet evolving organizational needs.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Enterprise-wide logistics and distribution strategy — set long-range direction aligned with corporate growth objectives across multiple facilities and transportation modes.
  2. Organizational safety and security policy framework — establish standards, governance structures, and accountability systems for transportation and distribution operations at scale.
  3. Senior manager and supervisor development — mentor and coach the next generation of logistics leaders through structured programs, stretch assignments, and ongoing feedback.
  4. Executive-level decisions on fleet, infrastructure, and technology investments — drive using total-cost-of-ownership modeling, market intelligence, and strategic risk assessment.
  5. Cross-enterprise systems integration roadmap — lead coordination among logistics, IT, finance, and operations to unify ERP, MRP, and analytics platforms across the organization.
  6. Network design and optimization initiatives — direct large-scale restructuring of distribution networks to reduce cost, improve service levels, and build supply chain resilience.
  7. High-stakes regulatory, customs, or carrier negotiations — lead on behalf of the organization, applying deep knowledge of law, government requirements, and commercial leverage.
  8. Organizational culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement — cultivate across distribution centers by championing metrics-driven management and innovation.
  9. Board, executive, and investor communication on logistics performance — author and present strategic reports that translate complex supply chain data into business impact narratives.
  10. Industry partnerships, trade associations, and government relations — represent the organization to shape logistics policy, standards, and best practices at a sector level.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.

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Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith™ Durable SkillsPathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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Show O*NET source anchors68 anchors · skillscrosswalk.com

O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

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RAPIDS apprenticeships
0240 · Logistics Manager
O*NET skills
Active ListeningReading ComprehensionMonitoringCoordinationNegotiationInstructingActive LearningTime ManagementComplex Problem SolvingWritingSpeakingCritical ThinkingSystems AnalysisSystems EvaluationPersuasionJudgment and Decision MakingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationManagement of Material Resources
Knowledge domains
TransportationAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsPersonnel and Human ResourcesPublic Safety and SecurityEconomics and AccountingComputers and ElectronicsProduction and ProcessingLaw and GovernmentAdministrativeEducation and Training
Abilities
Written ComprehensionOral ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningNear VisionOral ExpressionInformation OrderingCategory Flexibility
Work styles
DependabilityLeadership OrientationIntegrityAttention to DetailAchievement OrientationInitiative
Technology
Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain softwareLabel making softwareData base user interface and query softwareInventory management softwareRoute navigation softwareAccounting softwareComputer aided design CAD softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareElectronic mail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Supervise the activities of workers engaged in receiving, storing, testing, and shipping products or materials.
  2. Plan, develop, or implement warehouse safety and security programs and activities.
  3. Inspect physical conditions of warehouses, vehicle fleets, or equipment and order testing, maintenance, repairs, or replacements.
  4. Plan, organize, or manage the work of subordinate staff to ensure that the work is accomplished in a manner consistent with organizational requirements.
  5. Collaborate with other departments to integrate logistics with business systems or processes, such as customer sales, order management, accounting, or shipping.
  6. Analyze all aspects of corporate logistics to determine the most cost-effective or efficient means of transporting products or supplies.
  7. Resolve problems concerning transportation, logistics systems, imports or exports, or customer issues.
  8. Develop and document standard and emergency operating procedures for receiving, handling, storing, shipping, or salvaging products or materials.
CIP education codes
44.040144.040349.010149.010452.010152.020152.020352.0209

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me®, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith™ Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.