Head of Logistics Job Description
A Head of Logistics leads warehousing, transport and distribution strategy to deliver efficient, compliant and cost‑effective operations. Learn about responsibilities, key skills, career progression and senior logistics leadership pathways.
Thinking about a career as a Head of Logistics? This senior leadership role is essential in creating a smooth, efficient, and resilient logistics network across warehousing, transport, distribution, and fulfilment. Here, we’ll walk through what a Head of Logistics does day-to-day, how to become one, what to include on your CV, and some similar roles worth considering if you're progressing into senior operations and logistics leadership.
What Is a Head of Logistics?
A Head of Logistics oversees the endtoend logistics function for a business, ensuring products move efficiently from suppliers or manufacturing sites through warehousing, distribution centres, and transport networks to customers or retail outlets. You’ll set the overall logistics strategy, lead managers and multidisciplinary teams, and ensure service, cost, and safety targets are consistently met.
On a typical day, you’ll review performance metrics such as OTIF (On Time, in Full), costtoserve, delivery performance, warehouse productivity, stock accuracy, and transport efficiency. You’ll work closely with supply chain, operations, finance, and commercial teams to align logistics capacity with demand forecasts, stock availability, and cost targets. This may involve leading daily or weekly operational reviews, analysing performance trends, and working with logistics managers to resolve bottlenecks, making it a key strategic role for the business.
A major part of this role involves continuous improvement. You might lead projects to optimise warehouse layouts, reduce transport miles, increase automation, improve loading processes, or enhance forecasting accuracy. You’ll also be responsible for ensuring logistics compliance, an essential part of operations. You’ll be overseeing safety standards, vehicle regulations, warehouse processes, audits, and legal requirements across the entire network.
This is a senior, strategic, and fast paced role that requires strong leadership, excellent communication, and the ability to balance service, cost, and operational performance. It’s perfect for someone who enjoys shaping and running largescale logistics operations.
How to Become a Head of Logistics?
To become a Head of Logistics, most professionals progress from senior roles such as Logistics Manager, Distribution Manager, Transport Manager, Warehouse Manager, or Supply Chain Manager. Extensive experience managing large teams, multisite operations, and end‑to‑end logistics performance is essential. Building skills in strategic leadership, WMS and TMS systems, budgeting, compliance, and continuous improvement will significantly strengthen your prospects.
What to Put on a Head of Logistics CV
A strong Head of Logistics CV should highlight senior leadership capability, operational impact, and strategic delivery across logistics networks. Include skills such as multisite management, cost‑to‑serve optimisation, WMS/TMS and ERP systems, transport and warehouse performance, compliance leadership, and continuous improvement. Show examples of how you’ve improved OTIF, reduced logistics costs, increased efficiency, led large teams, or delivered major transformation programmes at scale.
Similar Jobs to Head of Logistics
Senior logistics roles often overlap with supply chain, operations, and transport leadership. Some similar jobs to Head of Logistics include Logistics Managers, Director of Logistics, and Service Delivery Managers. Each role focuses on the strategic delivery of goods, maintaining compliance and quality, as well as playing a key role in leading teams across the business.
Other Jobs in Logistics and Supply Chain
If you're exploring alternatives or progression routes, there are a variety of roles you can apply for in the logistics and supply chain sector. These include many managerial and senior positions including Logistics Manager, Demand Planning Manager, Distribution Centre Manager, Supply Chain Manager, or even Operations Manager. Each role requires a strong understanding of the sector, experience leading teams within logistics and supply chains, as well as analytical thinking and communication to ensure reporting and compliance is maintained.
With further experience, you may progress into executivelevel positions such as Operations Director, Supply Chain Director, or even Chief Operating Officer (COO), depending on the organisation’s structure. This career progression offers stability for experienced professionals looking to use their experience in a strategic, decision-making capacity.
These roles exist across retail, ecommerce, FMCG, manufacturing, wholesale, logistics providers, and third-party logistics (3PL) networks.
Apply for Head of Logistics Jobs Near You
Head of Logistics roles are available across the UK, especially in large distribution centres, retail networks, manufacturing operations, ecommerce fulfilment hubs, and 3PL providers. Many positions are hybrid, combining onsite leadership with remote strategic work.
Whether your strengths lie in managing high-volume warehouse operations, optimising transport fleets, or improving logistics processes across large networks, there are opportunities at regional, national, and global levels. Locations that regularly hire Head of Logistics positions include, but aren’t limited to, London, Birmingham, Portsmouth, and Northampton.
Head of Logistics Job Description FAQ
Is a Head of Logistics a Good Career Choice?
Yes, it’s an excellent choice if you enjoy leading large teams, shaping logistics strategy, and improving service and efficiency across complex networks. It also offers strong progression opportunities and competitive salaries.
What Skills Does a Head of Logistics Need?
As a Head of Logistics, you’ll need strong leadership, communication, and data analysis skills, along with a solid understanding of warehousing, transport, stock, and supply chain processes. Commercial awareness, strategic thinking, and problem-solving are essential.
What Are the Biggest Challenges of Being a Head of Logistics?
Common challenges include managing peak volumes, dealing with supply chain disruptions, overseeing multisite operations, balancing cost vs. service, and leading teams through change or growth periods.
What Personal Qualities Make a Great Head of Logistics?
Great Heads of Logistics are proactive, calm under pressure, people focused, and commercially minded. They make confident decisions, communicate clearly, and have a continuous improvement mindset.
