Today it is almost impossible to imagine our lives without online shopping. Global e-commerce sales are expected to reach $58.74 trillion by 2028, according to recent estimates. Hence, online shopping is going to stay trendy for years to come. We enjoy our online shopping process thanks to delivery managers, who keep this process running smoothly.
The delivery manager is a key important person who helps to maintain effective shipping processes, manages staff and takes responsibility for timely, accurate, and secure shipping and distribution. In this guide, we will analyze key requirements, skills, and educational backgrounds needed for delivery managers. We will also discuss the importance of training for delivery managers.
What does a delivery manager do?
Table of Contents
Delivery managers are in charge of a variety of tasks, including packaging, shipping product verification, receiving packages, ordering supplies, and managing staff. Their primary goal is to ensure that shipping and distribution are always timely, accurate, and secure. Delivery managers are also in charge of organizing and deeply documenting all inventories.
Delivery managers should ensure a smooth delivering and receiving process. This includes responsibilities like negotiating transportation services, analyzing metrics, providing some records, etc.
Educational background of delivery manager
Usually, the required educational background for a shipping manager is a bachelor’s degree in logistics, Master of Business Administration, Bachelor of Business Administration or related fields.
Delivery managers usually study business or accounting. According to Zippia, 42% of shipping managers hold a bachelor’s degree and 24% have a high school diploma. Sometimes it is possible to take several months-long training and become a delivery manager.
In order to become a delivery manager one should have proven experience in the shipping industry from 3 to 5 years. This position also requires some additional training and leadership skills. We’ll go over them in detail in the coming chapters.
Required skills for a delivery manager
There are some important skills a delivery manager should have. Let’s go through it one by one.
Problem-solving
The delivery manager should be a strong problem solver. On a daily basis, a delivery manager faces a lot of problems such as transaction, delivery, and courier services.
Difficulties caused by couriers are among the most common during delivery. There are numerous problems faced by couriers starting from vehicle breakdown to getting lost which the manager should consider and address as soon as possible.
One of the most typical problems of online purchasing is payment. Many consumers prefer paying via online banking or credit cards, so you should make sure that your potential consumers can find their preferred payment method on your website. Besides, online transactions have many benefits for businesses: it provides a sense of security for consumers, reduce human resources’ need, and provides fast and easy integration. With all that in mind, the delivery manager should also know how to tackle possible payment problems.
To build a good business reputation, managers should solve problems quickly rather than apologizing for failure.
Analytical thinking
Delivery is a difficult process that requires effort to run smoothly. One of the key important skills of a delivery manager is analytical thinking, which helps consider possible problems beforehand and prevent them. Analytical thinking helps to find effective and fast solutions for unexpected problems.
Critical thinking is also important while managing the staff. Managers should assign their team members tasks aligned with their skills.
Time management and customer services
One of the responsibilities of delivery managers is creating schedules for warehouse employees.
Strong time management skills make it possible to avoid delays in shipments getting to their final destinations. Delivery managers also should provide perfect customer service. When customers contact the facility with different questions about their shipments, the delivery manager should communicate appropriately and provide the necessary information.
Communication and leadership
Strong communication and the right leadership style are the keys to success for any manager. Delivery managers should not only communicate effectively with customers but with their staff as well. The shipping business is not the easiest one, and managers should handle the possible conflicts and allocate tasks to team members according to their skills and workflow.
No matter if you are managing a big team or a small one, managers should have strong conflict-solving skills. Sometimes when you can not handle conflict alone it is possible to hire professionals. For example, Pollack Peacebuilding Systems suggests de-escalation training workshops for not only employees but also for customer service reps and leaders. So if you want your team to act effectively you should maintain a healthy working atmosphere.
Additional training for a delivery manager
Everyone needs some training to expand their skill set and a delivery manager is not an exception. Delivery Manager Training and Certification Courses can be quite useful for delivery managers to learn more about new techniques and tools to manage delivery processes.
Training includes shipping and logistic programs, and warehouse and distribution center management are also excellent options for delivery managers. Delivery managers can also take training to hone their communication, and decision-making skills as well as conflict-resolution skills.
Final thoughts: delivery manager
We now have a clear understanding of the skills, educational background, and responsibilities of delivery managers. They are in high demand as online shopping grows in popularity. Consequently, we can emphasize that delivery managers receive training in order to stay current with market demands and effectively manage their teams.
Also Read: Effective Strategies: Tips For Successful Web Scraping With Java
