UK

United Kingdom · International business · Director/VP (16-20 years)

Director of Global Logistics

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

Start my Director of Global Logistics plan, free

Free to start: a plan built for this role, and a Future Fluency module to try first. No card.

Keep this job description

Where should we send it?

One email: what AI is changing in this job, and where to start free. With a link back here. Nothing else follows unless you confirm your address.

Upskilling a team in this role? Talk to us

  • Experience bandDirector/VP (16-20 years)
  • Reports toVP of Global Supply Chain
  • UK framework levelUsually a director, accountable for a division and its numbers

Also advertised as VP Logistics · Head of International Shipping · Global Freight Director · Supply Chain Logistics Director

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. OTHM Qualifications · Level 5 · covers 1 of 8 standards
iCQ Level 2 Certificate in International Trade and Logistics Operations iCan Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 2 of 8 standards
Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Logistics Gateway Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 8 standards
Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Logistics Gateway Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 8 standards
Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Award in Skills for Logistics Gateway Qualifications Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 8 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Security in a Transport and Logistics Environment AIM Qualifications Entry 3 Certificate in Skills for Working in Transport and Logistics Industries
Contract and Financial Management OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Arrange the transportation of goods by sea or waterway iCQ Level 2 Certificate in International Trade and Logistics Operations
Security in Logistics Gateway Qualifications Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Logistics

The future skills this job leans on

AI Fluency working with AI as a thinking partner
Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
AI Governance Fluency using AI responsibly
Sustainability Fluency building care for people and planet into the work
Frontier Fluency the next wave, beyond mainstream AI
Start my Director of Global Logistics plan, free
Your Plan Illustration

Built for Director of Global Logistics

4 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Security in a Transport and Logistics Environment AIM Qualifications · covers 1 of 8 standards Entry Level
  2. Contract and Financial Management OTHM Qualifications · covers 1 of 8 standards Level 5
  3. Arrange the transportation of goods by sea or waterway iCan Qualifications Limited · covers 2 of 8 standards Level 2
  4. Security in Logistics Gateway Qualifications Limited · covers 1 of 8 standards Level 2
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Director of Global Logistics?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • Sustainable Logistics & ESG Reporting
  • Advanced Predictive Analytics for Network Design
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Director of Global Logistics plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

Start my Director of Global Logistics plan, free Ready to pay? Subscribe for £70 a month

3What this role really is

A Director of Global Logistics designs and runs the international shipping strategy for a company's products, across continents and over several years.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

SAP S/4HANA (TM & EWM modules) Strategic

You'll be defining business requirements for new module implementations or upgrades, governing master data strategy, and using high-level dashboards to monitor global logistics performance within the ERP.

Blue Yonder TMS / Oracle OTM / Descartes Architect

You'll be leading the selection and negotiation for our global TMS platform, designing its integration with ERP/WMS, and using its advanced analytics to drive network optimisation strategies.

E2open / SAP Global Trade Services (GTS) Strategic

You'll be developing global trade compliance policies within the system, managing system audits, and overseeing platform configuration for new markets to ensure regulatory adherence.

project44 / FourKites Strategic

You'll be driving platform adoption across the business, using aggregate data from these platforms to redesign shipping lanes, select carrier partners, and provide executive-level visibility into global freight movements.

Microsoft Power BI / Tableau Strategic

You'll be defining the key logistics metrics for executive dashboards, presenting insights and trends to leadership, and ensuring your team has the tools to generate actionable reports.

Microsoft Excel (Power Query, VLOOKUP, PivotTables) Strategic

While you'll rely on BI tools for primary reporting, you'll still use Excel for high-level network design modelling, budget scenario planning, and ad-hoc analysis that requires quick, deep dives.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Carrier Contract Negotiation (Major Global) No authority. Assists with data compilation for senior team. Provides input on carrier performance for specific lanes. No negotiation authority. Leads negotiations for specific regional or mode-specific contracts (e.g., European road freight). Recommends final selection to Director.
Logistics Technology Platform Selection Provides feedback on user experience for current systems. Identifies system pain points. Researches potential minor feature improvements. Evaluates specific modules or features of existing platforms. Recommends minor system enhancements.
Global Network Design & Optimisation No authority. Executes tasks related to current network. Identifies minor inefficiencies in current routes. Proposes small-scale process improvements. Analyses specific trade lane performance. Recommends optimisations for individual lanes or modes.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

Total Landed Cost Reduction
The overall reduction in the cost-per-unit for getting products from our factory door to the customer's warehouse, including freight, duties, and handling.
Target · Achieve a 3-5% year-on-year reduction in cost-per-unit across the global network.

If our average landed cost per unit was £10 last year, you'd aim to get it down to £9.50-£9.70 this year through network optimisation and better carrier rates.

Global Network Optimisation Savings
The measurable financial savings delivered through strategic projects like consolidating distribution centres, shifting freight modes, or redesigning trade lanes.
Target · Deliver >£1M in annualised savings through strategic projects.

Consolidating three regional warehouses into one central European hub, saving £1.2M in operating costs and reducing transit times for 60% of shipments.

Cash-to-Cash Cycle Time Contribution
Your team's impact on reducing the time it takes for us to pay for inventory and then receive cash from sales, primarily by optimising in-transit inventory and reducing lead times.
Target · Contribute to a 10% reduction in the overall company cash-to-cash cycle time.

By negotiating faster transit times with carriers and streamlining customs clearance, you reduce average in-transit inventory by 5 days, freeing up £500K in working capital.

Global Carrier Performance
The average On-Time In-Full (OTIF) delivery rate and overall service quality across our entire portfolio of global carriers and freight forwarders.
Target · Maintain an average OTIF score of 95% across all major global lanes and carriers.

Your team's carrier scorecards show that 96% of ocean shipments and 94% of air freight arrived on time and complete in Q2, averaging 95%.

Strategic Network Design & Implementation
Your ability to conceptualise, plan, and successfully implement significant changes to our global logistics infrastructure.
  • You'll be leading major projects like opening a new distribution centre in Asia, redesigning our European freight network, or integrating a new acquisition's logistics operations. Evidence will be project plans met, budget adherence, and measurable improvements in efficiency or cost.
Team Leadership & Talent Development
How well you build, mentor, and retain a high-performing team of logistics managers and specialists.
  • We'll look at the retention rate of your direct reports, the number of internal promotions from your team, and feedback from your managers on their growth and development. You'll be running regular 1:1s, setting clear objectives, and providing career guidance.
External Partner Relationship Management
Your skill in building strong, strategic relationships with our key carriers, freight forwarders, and technology providers.
  • This shows up in favourable contract terms, proactive communication from partners during disruptions, and their willingness to collaborate on new solutions. You'll be the primary point of contact for our most important logistics vendors, not just during contract renewals but day-to-day.
Trade Compliance & Risk Governance
Your oversight of our global trade compliance programme and ability to mitigate significant supply chain risks.
  • This means zero major customs penalties or fines, a robust risk register with clear mitigation plans, and successful audits. You'll be regularly reviewing our compliance posture and ensuring we're ahead of new regulations.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Building & Optimising a Global Network

You'll spend time analysing freight flows, identifying new carrier partners, and designing the optimal balance of cost, speed, and reliability for our entire international operation. You'll get a real kick out of seeing your strategic decisions play out across the globe.

Successfully launching a new direct shipping lane from Vietnam to the UK that cuts transit time by a week and saves £500K annually.

Leading & Developing a High-Performing Team

A significant part of your role is mentoring your managers, helping them solve complex problems, and creating a clear career path for your entire team. You'll find satisfaction in seeing your direct reports grow and take on more responsibility.

One of your International Logistics Managers gets promoted to a regional Head of Logistics role, demonstrating the strength of your talent pipeline.

Driving Significant Business Impact & Cost Savings

You're directly accountable for millions in freight spend and operational efficiency. You'll be constantly looking for ways to reduce costs without compromising service, and seeing those savings hit the P&L will be a major driver.

Negotiating a new global freight contract that saves the company £2M over three years while improving service levels.

What frustrates people
  • Dealing with internal resistance to strategic change, especially when it impacts other departments' established ways of working.
  • The constant battle against external market volatility—think sudden spikes in freight rates or unexpected port strikes—that can derail even the best-laid plans.
  • The sheer complexity of global trade regulations, which are always changing and require constant vigilance to avoid costly penalties.
  • Having to balance conflicting priorities from different parts of the business—Sales wants speed, Finance wants cost savings, Operations wants predictability.
  • The political dance required to get buy-in from different regional teams for a globally standardised logistics process.
What this role does not give you
  • A purely operational, hands-on role; you'll be managing managers, not individual shipments.
  • A static, predictable environment; the global logistics landscape is constantly shifting.
  • The luxury of avoiding tough negotiations or difficult conversations with senior stakeholders or external partners.
  • A role where you can shy away from P&L responsibility or making high-stakes decisions.

8Who you work with

This role is absolutely critical for our international expansion and profitability. You're directly responsible for managing a significant portion of our operational expenditure, ensuring trade compliance, and building the infrastructure that allows us to serve customers in new markets. Get it right, and we save millions and delight customers. Get it wrong, and we face crippling costs, regulatory fines, and a damaged reputation.

Inside the business
  • VP of Global Supply Chain
  • Finance Director
  • Head of Procurement
  • Regional Sales Directors
  • Head of Product Development
  • Legal Counsel
Outside the business
  • Major Global Ocean & Air Carriers
  • Key Freight Forwarders
  • Customs Brokers (global network)
  • Logistics Technology Vendors (TMS, GTM, Visibility)
  • Industry Associations

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • Proven track record as an International Logistics Manager (L5) or equivalent, with at least 5 years managing a team of logistics professionals.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a logistics budget of at least £500K-£2M, with clear accountability for cost reduction and service level agreements.
  • Extensive experience negotiating and managing contracts with major global carriers and freight forwarders.
  • Experience leading the implementation or significant upgrade of a major TMS or GTM system.
  • A deep, practical understanding of global trade compliance, including HS classification, Incoterms, and customs procedures across multiple regions.
  • Strong analytical skills, including the ability to build complex financial models and interpret data from BI tools to drive strategic decisions.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Logistics Ecosystem Architecture

As our business grows and technology evolves, we need a Director who can design a cohesive, integrated logistics tech stack. This means understanding how ERP, TMS, GTM, WMS, and visibility platforms all fit together, and how to build a scalable, resilient system.

API Integration Strategies · Data Lake & Data Warehouse Concepts · Cloud-Native Logistics Solutions · Cybersecurity in Supply Chain

  • This quarter: Schedule deep-dive sessions with our IT and Data teams to understand our current system architecture.
  • Next 6 months: Lead a cross-functional working group to map out our ideal future-state logistics tech stack.
  • Next 12 months: Evaluate potential vendors for a new integration platform or data orchestration tool.
  • Within 18 months: Develop a multi-year roadmap for evolving our logistics technology ecosystem.

Quick win: Review the data flow diagrams for our current TMS and ERP. Identify any manual data transfers or integration gaps—these are often low-hanging fruit for improvement.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Regularly attending major industry conferences (e.g., Gartner Supply Chain Symposium, Manifest, Multimodal) to stay abreast of trends and network with peers.
  • Participating in executive leadership programmes focused on global business, strategic negotiation, or change management.
  • Engaging with industry associations like CILT, BIFA, or FIATA to contribute to best practices and expand your professional network.
  • Mentoring junior talent within the organisation or through external programmes, which is a great way to solidify your own leadership skills.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Sustainable Logistics & ESG Reporting

Customers, investors, and regulators are increasingly demanding transparency and action on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues. Measuring and reducing our logistics carbon footprint isn't just good PR; it's becoming a licence to operate and a key differentiator.

  • Scope 1, 2, 3 Emissions
  • Carbon Insetting vs. Offsetting
  • Green Logistics Technologies
  • ESG Reporting Frameworks

Advanced Predictive Analytics for Network Design

Market volatility, rising costs, and the need for greater agility mean we can't rely on historical data alone. Using AI-driven predictive models to anticipate demand, assess risk, and optimise our network in real-time will be crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

  • Machine Learning for Demand Forecasting
  • Digital Twin Simulation
  • Prescriptive Analytics
  • Data Visualisation for Complex Networks

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Incoterms® Mastery (Strategic Application)
  • Customs Brokerage & Trade Compliance (Governance)
  • Multi-Modal Freight Management (Network Design)
  • Landed Cost Calculation & Optimisation (Strategic)
  • Supply Chain Risk Mitigation (Enterprise-Level)
  • Warehouse & Inventory Interface (Strategic Integration)

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    International Logistics Manager (L5) within a large, complex organisation

    5-8 years as an L5 Manager

    Skills to master

    • Mastering P&L accountability for a significant logistics function, leading a team of managers, successfully delivering on regional or mode-specific strategic projects, and building strong relationships with key external partners.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently exceeding regional cost reduction and service level targets.
    • Successfully leading the implementation of a new regional TMS or major process improvement.
    • Developing and promoting talent within your team.
    • Being regularly sought out by senior leadership for advice on complex logistics challenges.
  2. 2

    Director of Logistics / Supply Chain from a smaller or mid-sized global company

    7-10 years in a Director-level role

    Skills to master

    • Demonstrating the ability to scale logistics operations, manage a broader scope of international trade, and adapt to the complexities of a larger, more matrixed organisation. You'll need to show you can handle bigger budgets and more strategic influence.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Successfully scaling logistics operations during periods of rapid company growth.
    • Implementing a global logistics strategy that significantly reduced costs or improved service.
    • Experience with multi-country trade compliance and carrier management.
    • Strong references from previous C-suite leaders about your strategic impact.
  3. 3

    Senior Consultant in Supply Chain & Logistics (from a top-tier consulting firm)

    8-12 years in consulting, with significant project leadership

    Skills to master

    • Translating theoretical knowledge into practical, implementable solutions within a corporate environment. Building internal stakeholder relationships, managing operational teams, and adapting to the longer-term strategic ownership that comes with an in-house role.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Leading multiple complex logistics transformation projects for global clients.
    • Demonstrating strong change management and stakeholder influence skills.
    • A clear desire to move from advisory to direct operational and strategic ownership.
    • Proven ability to build and lead teams, not just project groups.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to Chief Supply Chain Officer, Chief Operating Officer, or independent consulting and advisory work in global logistics.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Director of Global Logistics is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Security in a Transport and Logistics Environment, worked against Director of Global Logistics.

Security in a Transport and Logistics Environment Entry Level

Applied to your work in Director of Global Logistics

The objective of this unit is to provide learners with an understanding of security threats and breaches within a transport and logistics environment. Upon completion, learners will be able to secure goods and equipment according to established procedures, apply appropriate security measures, and recognise the roles and responsibilities of personnel in maintaining security.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

Start my Director of Global Logistics plan, free
See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Director of Global Logistics
  • Incoterms® Mastery (Strategic Application)
  • Customs Brokerage & Trade Compliance (Governance)
  • Multi-Modal Freight Management (Network Design)
  • Landed Cost Calculation & Optimisation (Strategic)
  • Supply Chain Risk Mitigation (Enterprise-Level)
  • Warehouse & Inventory Interface (Strategic Integration)
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

16The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Director of Global Logistics is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. VP of Global Supply Chain (L7)

    3-5 years in the Director role

    This is the natural next step, moving from leading the logistics function to owning the entire global supply chain, including procurement, manufacturing, and planning.

    • Global Sourcing & Procurement Strategy
    • Manufacturing & Production Planning
    • Inventory Optimisation (across entire chain)
    • Supply Chain Finance & Working Capital Management
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Let's be real, you're a Director, not a data entry clerk. But the sheer volume of information, the constant need for updates, and the complexity of global trade can still pull you into the weeds. Imagine if your team could handle 80% of the routine stuff, freeing you up to actually strategise, innovate, and lead.

AI isn't here to replace your strategic brain; it's here to supercharge your team and give you the data and insights you need, instantly. For a Director of Global Logistics, this means shifting from reactive problem-solving to proactive network design and risk mitigation.

Automated Document Governance

Imagine AI automatically reviewing all Bills of Lading and Commercial Invoices, not just for data extraction, but for compliance flags or discrepancies that could cause a customs hold. This means your team spends less time on manual checks, and you have real-time visibility into potential issues across thousands of shipments.

Predictive Network Risk & Optimisation

Instead of reacting to port congestion, what if AI could predict it with 90% accuracy a week in advance? Or suggest optimal routing changes based on real-time weather, geopolitical events, and carrier capacity? You'd be making proactive decisions that save millions and keep goods flowing, rather than constantly rerouting under pressure.

Global Trade Compliance Co-Pilot

Navigating ever-changing tariffs and regulations across 100+ countries is a nightmare. Picture an AI assistant that provides instant, legally sound answers to complex customs questions, cross-references HS codes with country-specific rules, and even flags potential sanctions risks. This drastically reduces compliance risk and speeds up market entry.

Executive Insight Generation

Forget building endless PowerPoint decks. AI can now summarise global logistics performance, highlight key trends (e.g., 'Ocean freight rates up 15% on Asia-EU lane, impacting Q3 budget by £1.5M'), and even draft initial recommendations for executive review. You get the insights you need, faster, to make critical decisions.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Director of Global Logistics?

Common routes in include International Logistics Manager within a large, complex organisation (5-8 years as an L5 Manager), Director of Logistics / Supply Chain from a smaller or mid-sized global company (7-10 years in a Director-level role) and Senior Consultant in Supply Chain & Logistics (from a top-tier consulting firm) (8-12 years in consulting, with significant project leadership). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Director of Global Logistics progress to?

This role can lead on to VP of Global Supply Chain (3-5 years in the Director role), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Director of Global Logistics?

Increasingly, Sustainable Logistics & ESG Reporting and Advanced Predictive Analytics for Network Design. These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

Want a read on where you stand?

Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

Read the Zavmo manifesto to understand how you will be taught Meet your tutors

Or try another one

17Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 7

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in international business

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

Skills in global logistics, supply chain planning and international trade apply across most industries that move physical goods, including retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals and technology hardware.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Director of Global Logistics plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.