Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Analysing Data or Information Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
•   Developing and Building Teams Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
•   Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Working Life

The ultimate goal of an inventory managers work is ensuring there is sufficient stock in a company’s storage facilities to meet its needs. Meeting this goal will require designing processes which track incoming and outgoing stock, keeping aware of the business’s needs, assessing the reliability of suppliers and managing staff to ensure incoming deliveries are handled promptly and outgoing supplies are dispatched to schedule.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Represent companies in negotiating contracts and formulating policies with suppliers.
• Develop cost reduction strategies and savings plans.
• Develop and implement purchasing and contract management instructions, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare bid awards requiring board approval.
• Direct and coordinate activities of personnel engaged in buying, selling, and distributing materials, equipment, machinery, and supplies.
• Locate vendors of materials, equipment or supplies, and interview them to determine product availability and terms of sales.
• Interview and hire staff, and oversee staff training.
• Prepare and process requisitions and purchase orders for supplies and equipment.
• Review, evaluate, and approve specifications for issuing and awarding bids.
• Control purchasing department budgets.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

People working in the field will often have experience working in warehouses, logistics or stock control and will have progressed through the ranks. Many will have obtained qualifications in related fields such as business administration and finance, which provide relevant upskilling.

Those with experience in other business disciplines such as marketing, warehousing, management sales, finance or production, would be suitably qualified for the career of Distribution Manager. There are a range of courses available for those interested in pursuing this career.

Retails Skillnet

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: logistics and distribution, manufacturing supply chain and logistics, supervisory management, leadership.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: supply chain, transport logistics, distribution, warehousing, distribution, warehousing, stock control and forklift training, business, logistics, distribution, supply chain operations.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Logistics Associate, Logistician, Supply Chain Specialist, Supply Chain Manager, Retail Supervision.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: logistics, supply chain management, business, road transport technology and management, sustainable transport management.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: supply chain management, engineering, process energy, transport, road, transport engineering.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Springboard courses logistics and supply chain management NFQ (Minor) level 6-9 awards Search Springboard courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Offers Certificate and Diploma level courses in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, and Transport Operations.

Freight transport assoc of Ireland 

IPICS Irish Production & Inventory Control Society.

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €30k - €65k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Lincoln/ Morgan McKinley / CPL/ Sigmar/ Azon / Collins McNicholas/ Indeed

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Transport managers; fleet managers; logistics managers; storage managers; warehouse managers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

The overall five-year average employment growth for this occupation was above average, although employment levels declined marginally between 2021 and 2022. A small number of new employment permits were issued in 2022 for various managerial roles.

Vacancies which were identified as difficult-to-fill in the Recruitment Agency Survey mainly related to warehouse and logistics managers. Training for those already employed in this occupation in areas including technological and regulatory changes associated with the transport/logistics sector will assist in preventing future recruitment difficulties.

• Freight Transport Association Ireland (FTAI)

  • Unit 1, Airport Business Park, Cloghran, Co Dublin
  • (01) 844 7516
  • Click Here

• Retail Ireland

  • Click Here