Profession intermodal logistics manager

Intermodal logistics managers manage and oversee commercial and operational aspects of intermodal logistics for an organisation.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional

Knowledge

• Freight transport methods

  Understand different modalities of transport such as air, sea, or intermodal freight transport. Specialise in one of the modalities and possess a deeper knowledge of the details and procedures of that modality.

• Intermodalism

  Understand intermodalism by calculating, understanding, and responding to its role in changing customer requirements and increasing competitiveness of supply chains in a global marketplace.

• Supply chain management

  The flow of goods in the supply chain, movement and storage of raw materials, work-in-process inventory, and finished goods from point of origin to point of consumption.

• Intermodal options

  Know current and future intermodal options and alternatives such as the piggybacking system, the road-rail system, fishy back system, birdyback systems, low body systems or the push-pull cargo sprinter.

Skills

• Provide customer follow-up

  Provide customers with cordial, prompt communication to accept orders, notify them in the event of shipment issues, and provide quick resolutions.

• Implement transport strategy

  Anticipate company requirements and goals in terms of transport strategy; use this as a base to take actions to implement the strategy.

• Maintain relationship with customers

  Build a lasting and meaningful relationship with customers in order to ensure satisfaction and fidelity by providing accurate and friendly advice and support, by delivering quality products and services and by supplying after-sales information and service.

• Track shipments

  Track and trace all shipment movements on a daily basis by utilising information from tracking systems and proactively notifying customers about the location of their shipments.

• Manage contracts

  Negotiate the terms, conditions, costs and other specifications of a contract while making sure they comply with legal requirements and are legally enforceable. Oversee the execution of the contract, agree on and document any changes.

• Have access to shipping rates

  Have the ability to access information about shipping rates and compare the information across providers. Use this information to prepare bids for clients.

• Recruit employees

  Hire new employees by scoping the job role, advertising, performing interviews and selecting staff in line with company policy and legislation.

• Negotiate logistics services

  Reach an agreement on the planning and control of the movement of goods, and all related logistical supporting activities without losing sight of one's own or others' goals.

• Communicate with customers

  Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.

• Manage company transport strategy

  Manage the transport strategies of a company; communicate with members of management team; ensure strategies accord with company goals.

• Guarantee customer satisfaction

  Handle customer expectations in a professional manner, anticipating and addressing their needs and desires. Provide flexible customer service to ensure customer satisfaction and loyalty.

• Plan transport operations

  Plan mobility and transport for different departments in order to obtain the best possible movement of equipment and materials. Negotiate the best possible delivery rates. Compare different bids and select the most reliable and cost-effective bid.

• Exercise stewardship

  Exercise stewardship to ensure the efficient and responsible planning and management of resources.

• Negotiate prices for transport of cargo

  Negotiate prices for cargo transport; pursue maximum efficiency in logistics and transportation; calculate efficient routes for freight transport.

• Develop communication networks with shipping sites

  Establish relationships with shipping sites to facilitate the delivery of goods.

• Manage staff

  Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

• Track shipping sites

  Track the different shipping sites where packages arrive in order to maintain an efficient distribution system and on-time tracking systems for customers.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB