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The logistics dock supervisor: definition
Responsibilities and skills according to job description
The role of a logistics dock manager involves receiving and dispatching goods (packages or pallets) while ensuring coordination among the various teams involved in the transportation process. Based on the dock, hence the name of the position, the manager greets carriers in their trucks, organizes the work of handlers and forklift drivers, and maintains communication with administrative services. They are responsible for safety on the docks, execution timing, and delivery quality. The scope of this position depends on the size of the company in which it is exercised.
In smaller companies, the logistics dock manager may perform various tasks, including:
Unloading
Sorting
Arranging goods
Product identification
Product storage
The logistics dock manager may also be involved in order preparation. For this reason, they supervise and direct the teams responsible for handling goods and conduct inspections.
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When do goods inspections take place at a logistics site? Inspections take place upon cargo reception and shipment.
In other words, a logistics dock manager manages the inflow and outflow of goods to prevent anomalies and delivery delays, which can greatly frustrate customers. Another crucial aspect is safety. The logistics dock manager must ensure that products are handled according to specific standards based on the nature of the goods.
Their main objective is to reduce lead times, costs, and optimize stocks!
Logistics Dock Manager and Dock Supervisor: What's the Difference?
Spoiler: There isn't one! A logistics dock manager may be referred to by various titles, such as "dock supervisor," "dock manager," "dock coordinator," or "dock team leader."
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Why does the term "dock" come up everywhere? If you're familiar with road transport, this shouldn't come as a surprise. But if you're new to the field, know that a loading or unloading dock is the cornerstone of a stock management site. Located at the front or back of a warehouse, the loading dock is where trucks converge to load or unload their cargo. It's often the starting or ending point of a road transport journey.
The Impact of the Logistics Dock Manager on the Productivity of Logistics Sites With qualities such as:
Knowledge of loading procedures
Stock management
Coordination of different handling teams
The logistics dock manager becomes an essential link for smooth communication within the company, and they must also be capable of making quick and sound decisions in case of unforeseen events—something that happens almost half of the time in the world of transport!
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Accidents are not uncommon on loading docks and can result from handling errors, weather conditions, or vehicle mechanical problems.
Thus, it's easier to understand that a logistics dock manager is like the conductor of goods. They ensure that the melody flows harmoniously and that transportation happens smoothly, whether loading or unloading. If everything goes well or if any issues are swiftly resolved, the dock manager ensures good productivity at the loading site.
Examples:
Each dock has an appropriate number of associated trucks, avoiding any gaps.
The site entrance is not congested.
A team with the right number of workers is scheduled during the appropriate hours.
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How to Become a Logistics Dock Manager?
Training
Typically, these courses require a minimum of 2 years after high school. They are offered in France in vocational high schools, IUT (University Institutes of Technology), AFT-IFTIM, and ISTELI.
After obtaining a high school diploma, candidates for the position of logistics dock manager can pursue:
A professional degree in logistics
A professional title as a storage logistics technician
After completing a level of education equivalent to a 2-year post-high school diploma, there are various training options such as:
BTS GTLA (Transportation and Associated Logistics Management)
TSMEL professional title (Higher Technician in Logistics Methods and Operations)
With a level of education equivalent to a 3-year post-high school diploma, one can opt for:
BUT MLT (Logistics and Transportation Management)
Salaries: How Much Does a Logistics Dock Manager Earn?
CALLOUT: On average, a logistics dock manager earns around 25,000 euros gross per year.
There is no official salary scale for this position, but we can say that they earn an average of 2,000 euros gross per month.
At the beginning of their professional experience, the dock manager earns the minimum wage (SMIC) and up to 1,800 euros gross per month, which amounts to 21,000 euros gross per year. However, as they gain responsibilities and skills, the logistics dock manager can negotiate their hourly rate.
A logistics dock manager can earn up to 30,000 euros gross per year, equivalent to a gross salary of about 2,500 euros per month, which results in a little less than 2,000 euros net per month.
Of course, each company has its specificities, such as paying 13 or 14 monthly salaries, providing bonuses or participation incentives. Therefore, the employer will determine the average or variable salary.
Job Advancements
As mentioned earlier, the career advancements of a logistics dock manager depend on certain factors:
Years of experience
Company size
Location
Additional responsibilities
Training or certifications
Finding a Logistics Dock Manager Job Offer
Good news: finding job offers for a logistics dock manager is quite straightforward! Jobijoba, Indeed, Apec, Pôle Emploi, Hellowork, Linkedin, among others, are all websites that list job advertisements, which can be filtered by region and experience level. For those who know interesting companies, a direct email or a spontaneous application can be worthwhile.
It's also important to remember that the Transportation and Supply Chain industry benefits from a strong network! Transporters may know about clients who are hiring or make recommendations.
A dock supervisor's daily routine: loading docks
Working on the Docks
The logistics dock manager deals with loading docks on a daily basis. These docks must be carefully designed for optimized storage.
The following points raise questions:
Flow policy (just-in-time or not)
Distribution of docks (is it in line with the truck's capacity to accommodate)
Types of loading
Frequency of deliveries
Accessibility of the area
Space required for trucks
The dock manager can assess the importance of warehouse expansion. They can determine whether it's possible to logically integrate additional docks without affecting the normal flow of daily activities.
Don't Forget About Rejected Containers
Often overlooked, this area is essential for a logistics dock manager: the one where rejected crates and containers must be stored, which happens regularly in the transportation of goods. This very reason prompts drivers to want to issue documented reservations, so that they are not held responsible, and transporters to reduce their disputes, which are still too numerous.
This area should be located outside and should not obstruct the flow of heavy trucks.
Trying to Extend Operating Hours
Transporters typically deliver goods in the morning and pick up goods in the evening. When these habits are put together, they can create "bottlenecks" and real congestion upon arrival at the site. Another negative aspect is the billing of waiting times! Trapped in their trucks, drivers have no choice but to wait until a spot becomes available for unloading at a dock. This comes with safety risks, dangerous for teams moving around the site and for vehicles that increase their risk of accidents.
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The number of truck spaces must be equal to the maximum number of vehicles that can load or unload simultaneously. Hence, it is crucial for a logistics manager to have a clear vision of their day (the number of trucks to accommodate and available teams from the morning).
To organize themselves better, a dock manager will use various office tools for management and planning, such as WMS (Warehouse Management System), Time Slot Management (scheduling and appointment reservation), and sometimes TMS (Transport Management System).
How Does the Logistics Dock Manager Optimize Daily Operations?
Time Slot Booking on Site
Also known as Time Slot Booking or waiting dock management system, Time Slot Booking is a mechanism that helps operators and dock managers gain better visibility not only on their unloading activities but also on their entire day. An appointment scheduling system can make a real difference in managing transportation flows. In other words:
Implementing a shipment or goods receipt schedule to organize the docks better.
Automatic anticipation in the mentioned schedule. Any delay or cancellation? Suppliers, transporters, and logistics teams are notified in real-time.
Connecting the truck driver and the warehouse team, which reduces the cost of drivers' idle time and improves coordination between transport and logistics companies.
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Good to know. Typically, one hour of vehicle and driver idle time can be billed between €35 and €100.
Precise monitoring of information (known transport company, driver's geographical position, vehicle data, license plate, etc.)
Certified presence of documents and safety protocols, easily shareable online.
The result of all this? Improved dock management and allocation.
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