Logistikmanagement
Also: Logistik-Management, Logistiksteuerung, Logistikführung, Logistics Management
AI-generated
Logistics management refers to the planning, control, and continuous improvement of all logistics processes, resources, and service providers within a company.
Key facts
- Logistics management connects operational process control with strategic decisions on networks, systems, and service providers.
- It encompasses warehouse, transport, and inventory management as well as IT selection, KPI management, and continuous improvement.
- The distinction from supply chain management lies in the fact that logistics management primarily focuses on activities within the company itself.
- Service levels, degree of automation, and make-or-buy decisions are key strategic levers in logistics management.
- A lack of operationalized targets and unclear service provider metrics are among the most common weaknesses encountered in practice.
What is logistics management?
Logistics management encompasses all managerial tasks required to plan, control, monitor, and further develop logistics processes in a targeted manner. It covers the full spectrum of internal logistics activities: from inbound goods control and warehouse organization and picking through to outbound shipping and returns processing. At the same time, it includes the management of external service providers, the selection and operation of IT systems, and performance management via key metrics.
Logistics management should be distinguished from supply chain management, which additionally encompasses cross-company planning and coordination tasks — for example with suppliers or trading partners. Logistics management sits conceptually within this broader discipline, but has a stronger focus on the operational and tactical level of the company itself.
How does logistics management work in practice?
In practice, logistics management operates across three levels:
- Strategic: Decisions about network structure, degree of automation, make-or-buy, and the IT system landscape are made at this level. This is where the company defines which service levels it wants to maintain and what investments are required to achieve them.
- Tactical: Capacity planning, service provider management, inventory management, and the design of processes fall within this area. Tactical decisions translate strategy into actionable structures and agreements.
- Operational: The day-to-day management of warehouse processes, transportation, staffing resources, and exception handling takes place at the operational level. Key metrics such as throughput times, error rates, and on-time delivery are continuously monitored here.
Typical decision areas in logistics management include defining service levels, selecting appropriate WMS, TMS, and ERP systems, designing tenders for logistics services, and introducing KPI frameworks for performance measurement.
What matters when shaping logistics management?
Effective logistics management depends on goals, processes, and performance metrics being consistently aligned with one another. Common weaknesses arise when service level targets are not operationalized, when service providers are managed without clear KPIs, or when the IT system landscape fails to scale. Whether services are outsourced or delivered in-house is a question that should be reassessed regularly — here, volume, complexity, and available expertise play a decisive role. The answer depends on the vendor and the company, and cannot be given as a blanket recommendation.
Related terms
- 3PL
3PL (Third Party Logistics) refers to the outsourcing of operational logistics processes – such as warehousing, order picking, or transportation – to an external service provider. The company retains strategic responsibility, while the 3PL vendor handles operational execution.
- 4PL - Fourth Party Logistics
4PL (Fourth Party Logistics) refers to a logistics model in which an external partner coordinates the entire supply chain and manages multiple 3PL providers and carriers without performing any physical transport or warehousing services itself.
- ABC-Analyse
ABC analysis is a method for classifying items, vendors, or processes into three priority classes (A, B, C) based on their economic significance. It forms the basis for differentiated decision-making in warehousing, inventory management, and procurement.
- Aufgaben der Logistik
The tasks of logistics encompass the planning, control, and execution of all goods, information, and value flows along the supply chain. These typically include procurement, warehousing, transportation, distribution, and disposal.
- Auftragsmanagement
Order management refers to the systematic control and monitoring of orders throughout their entire lifecycle – from capture through prioritization and status tracking to completion. It forms the operational link between sales, logistics, purchasing, and IT.
- Ausschreibungsmanagement Logistik
Logistics tender management refers to the structured overall process by which companies solicit bids for logistics services or systems on the market, make offers comparable, and prepare a well-founded award decision.
- Balanced Scorecard
The Balanced Scorecard is a performance measurement system for holistic business management that links financial and non-financial objectives across four perspectives.
- Beschaffungslogistik
Procurement logistics encompasses all logistical processes that manage the flow of materials from suppliers through to handover at the warehouse or production facility. It connects purchasing, transportation, and goods receipt into a seamless inbound process.
- Bestandscontrolling
Inventory controlling refers to the systematic monitoring, analysis, and management of stock levels using defined key performance indicators. It connects logistics and procurement to reduce tied-up capital and ensure delivery capability.
- Bestandsmanagement
Inventory management refers to the systematic planning, control, and monitoring of stock levels across the entire supply chain. The goal is to ensure delivery capability while keeping capital commitment and warehousing costs within economically viable limits.
- Disposition
Disposition refers to the operational planning and control of resources, quantities, and orders in logistics – for example in transport or materials disposition. It encompasses capacity assignment, scheduling, prioritization, and response to disruptions.
- Distributionslogistik
Distribution logistics encompasses all processes that move goods from the manufacturer or warehouse to the end customer – from network planning through storage and transportation to order fulfillment.