Logistics Team Leader
Logistics Team Leader role
As a Logistics Team Leader, you can expect a full-time role with either a permanent contract or interim assignment, depending on the client’s needs. Most positions are based in warehouse or transport environments with early or late shifts, or rotating schedules.
Salary or hourly rate
- Permanent: €2,800 – €3,800 gross per month (depending on experience and shift structure)
- Interim: €45 – €65 per hour (freelance or via payroll)
Additional conditions
- Shift allowance where applicable
- Travel expenses reimbursement or company transport
- Pension scheme (for permanent roles)
- Opportunities for bonus or performance-based rewards
Skills & Competencies
Strategic and Analytical Thinking
- Process optimisation: identifying and implementing improvements for warehouse or dispatch operations
- Data-driven decisions: using KPIs and reports to monitor team output and efficiency
- Project coordination: managing daily operations while supporting small-scale change initiatives
People Leadership
- Team coaching: guiding and developing logistics staff on the work floor
- Conflict management: resolving operational challenges and interpersonal issues effectively
- Motivation: creating a safe, productive and goal-oriented team atmosphere
Operational Control
- Planning & execution: coordinating shifts, resources and material flow
- Safety awareness: enforcing health and safety rules consistently
- System knowledge: working with WMS, TMS or ERP systems in day-to-day operations
What does a logistics team leader do?
A Day in the Life of a Logistics Team Leader
05:30 – You arrive early to review shift handover notes and check attendance. You greet your team, clarify urgent priorities, and hand out roles for the first hour.
06:15 – The inbound trucks have just arrived. You coordinate the dock assignments, direct forklifts, and ensure offloading happens smoothly, while checking for damaged goods.
07:30 – You step onto the floor to monitor operations: pickers, packers, and order consolidators. You notice a build-up in one zone and temporarily reroute resources to balance the load.
09:00 – Back at your desk, you review KPI dashboards (e.g. picks per hour, error rate). A dip in accuracy stands out: you plan a quick refresher walkthrough with the team.
12:00 – Lunch break. You use the time to catch up on emails and prep for the afternoon shift.
13:00 – You join a coordination meeting with planning and transport. Tomorrow’s schedule looks tight. You suggest a buffer in loading times and propose adding standby staff for peak windows.
13:30 – The afternoon shift begins. You check in with each team lead, review progress, and step in to help resolve bottlenecks.
15:00 – As the day ends, you consolidate performance reports, note safety observations, and prepare handover instructions for the evening shift leader.
15:30 – You sign off, confident the floor is in good hands and that you’ve set the stage for a smooth evening shift.
Is this your next logistics job?
Do you enjoy taking ownership of operations and helping a team succeed? Are you someone who stays calm under pressure, sees opportunities for improvement, and isn’t afraid to roll up your sleeves?
As a Logistics Team Leader, you’re more than a manager: you’re a doer. You listen, you direct, you support, and you improve. You ensure that the team works safely, efficiently, and reliably.
If you thrive in fast-paced environments, care about data and people equally, and take pride in getting things done right: you might be the one we’re looking for.
Education & Career Development
Most Logistics Team Leaders have a background at MBO+ or Bachelor level in logistics, supply chain or a related technical field. Employers may also require:
- Experience in warehouse or transport management
- Safety certifications (such as VCA or forklift license)
- Familiarity with Lean or 5S principles
Development options include:
- Internal growth to Supervisor, Operations Manager or Planner roles
- Training in people management, logistics software and continuous improvement
- Coaching for transition from operational to tactical leadership
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Logistics Team Leader FAQ
Describe your leadership style. How do you motivate a team to meet deadlines while maintaining safety and quality?
An effective leadership style in logistics combines clear communication with a supportive approach. Motivating a team involves setting clear expectations, recognizing good performance, and ensuring safety and quality are never compromised for speed.
How to deal with a major disruption in the supply chain?
A strong response involves immediately containing the issue by finding alternatives and communicating transparently with all stakeholders. The focus is on minimizing impact and then implementing process improvements to prevent recurrence.
How do you prioritize tasks for your team in a fast-paced environment?
Effective prioritization balances urgent shipment deadlines with critical operational tasks. This often requires dynamically allocating resources and rescheduling less time-sensitive activities to maintain workflow.
Where do you see yourself in the next 3-5 years?
A natural career progression involves developing from a team leader into a logistics or warehouse manager role. This allows for taking on broader strategic responsibilities and contributing to departmental goals.
How do you assess whether a company cuture is a good fit for me?
During our intake process, we will delve deeper into your values, leadership philosophy, and what type of organization suits you. Thanks to our long-term relationships with clients, we are familiar with their culture and can provide an honest and accurate assessment of the match.
