Operational Logistics Software Manager Interview Preparation Guide

Download PDF

Graduate recruiters use some questions as much to see how you cope when you're put on the spot as to elicit a truthful answer. This question is a test of your ability to think on your feet and come up with a diplomatic response. Whether you sidestep the question by saying you've always got on well with your employers, or describe a tricky situation you've experienced that highlights your potential, you need to avoid attacking your previous employers. Also, take care not to incriminate yourself.

This is an open ended question, and you can use it very effectively as a statement of your abilities. You will need to address each area of the logistics manager job's responsibilities, showing strong values and experience in each area.

The only lawful bases for dismissal are well defined into types:

☛ Misconduct
☛ Performance
☛ Theft or fraud (A real problem in supply chains)
☛ Drug or alcohol abuse

Important: Please note that you must also refer to employer guidelines and staff policies for these issues.

Feel free to reframe the question. This is similar to asking 'Can you give an example of a time when you had to cope with a difficult situation?' or 'Give an example of a time when you had to cope under pressure'. However, 'crisis' is a much stronger, more emotive word. You may find it easier to give an example if you think back through your work experience, study, extracurricular activities and travel and come up with a time when you had to cope with an unexpected problem.

Employers are asking this question to find out how much research you've done and whether you've got a full understanding of the company and the role. If you have got no clue about the company's purchase and logistics department, then tell them you do your research and find out what sort of improvement is needed.

You can then go on to describe it- the most frequent challenges of purchase and logistics and you can also add the achievements you have got from your present employer.

Some forms of performance management encourage increased participation by staff, involving training programs, extra duties on a career track basis, and other incentives. Your answer needs to outline clear standards in this approach.

This is another question that allows you to show off your employer research and your understanding of your chosen career path. You'll want to come across as enthusiastic, but not arrogant. Tailor your response to reflect the nature of the organisation, the sector, and your own experiences and skills. Specific details will impress.

☛ What are the techniques that you use to clarify obscure message meanings?
☛ What are the qualities of a good Logistics Manager?
☛ What are your weaknesses?
☛ Do you work better under pressure or with time to plan and organize?
☛ Did you have a strategic plan as Logistics Manager?
☛ What is the highest-level job one can hold in this career?
☛ How do you reach a decision if you don't have all the facts?

☛ Tell me about yourself?
☛ What are your biggest strengths?
☛ Why did you leave your last job?
☛ What are your career goals?
☛ Why do you want to work here?
☛ What is your greatest weakness?
☛ What do co-workers say about you?
☛ Are you applying for other jobs?
☛ What do you know about our organization?
☛ What kind of salary are you looking for?
☛ How long would you expect to work for us if hired?
☛ Do you know anyone who works for us?
☛ Why should we hire you?
☛ What Is Your Dream Job?
☛ What are you looking for in a job?
☛ Are you willing to work overtime? Nights? Weekends?
☛ What experience do you have in this field? or Do you have any actual work experience?
☛ Do you consider yourself successful?
☛ What have you done to improve your knowledge in the last year?
☛ Describe your work ethic?
☛ Are you a team player?
☛ Have you ever had to fire anyone? How did you feel about that?
☛ What is your philosophy towards work?
☛ If you had enough money to retire right now, would you?
☛ Have you ever been asked to leave a position?

☛ Do you have the qualities and skills necessary to succeed in your Logistics Manager career?
☛ On taking this Logistics Manager job, what would be your major contribution?
☛ What personal weakness has caused you the greatest difficulty in school or at work?
☛ How would you describe your work style?
☛ What do you do when your schedule is interrupted? How you handle it.
☛ Have you ever had to introduce a policy change to your work group?
☛ Are you willing to work overtime?

☛ Explain how you would be an asset to this organization?
☛ Tell me about a suggestion you have made?
☛ Why do you think you would do well at this job?
☛ What irritates you about co-workers?
☛ What is more important to you: the money or the work?
☛ What kind of person would you refuse to work with?
☛ What would your previous supervisor say your strongest point is?
☛ Tell me about a problem you had with a supervisor?
☛ Tell me about your ability to work under pressure?
☛ Explain what has disappointed you most about a previous job?
☛ What motivates you to do your best on the job?
☛ Do your skills match this job or another job more closely?
☛ How would you know you were successful on this job?
☛ Would you be willing to relocate if required?
☛ Are you willing to put the interests of the organization ahead of your own?
☛ Describe your management style?
☛ What have you learned from mistakes on the job?
☛ Do you have any blind spots?
☛ If you were hiring a person for this job, what would you look for?
☛ Do you think you are overqualified for this position?
☛ How do you propose to compensate for your lack of experience?
☛ What qualities do you look for in a boss?
☛ Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
☛ What position do you prefer on a team working on a project?
☛ What has been your biggest professional disappointment?

☛ Have you ever had to fire an employee? Why? And how did you handle it?
☛ Describe a time when you successfully negotiated a discount.
☛ What's your area of expertise and how do you stay up-to-date with logistics management trends? Are you planning to get a relevant certification?
☛ Have you ever had to deal with customer complaints?
☛ Describe a situation where you worked on a challenging project. What was your role and how did you motivate your team?

☛ What was the most difficult period in your life, and how did you deal with it?
☛ What problems have you encountered at work?
☛ If selected for this Logistics Manager position, describe your strategy for the first days?
☛ Are you willing to relocate?
☛ Have you handled a difficult situation with another department?
☛ Give me an example of when you involved others in making a decision.
☛ Do you work well under pressure?

It takes a lot of thinking to be ready for these Logistics Manager interview questions. When answering these typical Logistics Manager interview questions stay focussed on career goals and aspirations.
Don't talk about yourself too much.

☛ What are your main daily duties?
☛ What goals would you set on a quarterly and annual basis? How would you monitor their progress?
☛ What's your experience with automated warehouse systems?
☛ How do you keep track of stock levels?
☛ Are you familiar with ISO requirements and health regulations?
☛ How do you measure transport costs?
☛ What project management software have you used?
☛ How do you perform a blind count?
☛ Describe how you coordinate order shipping.
☛ How do you schedule shifts for your team members?
☛ If a supplier informs you there's going to be a significant delay in their shipping, how do you deal with it?
☛ How do you evaluate your team performance?
☛ A manufacturer you've been collaborating with for years announces an increase in their prices. What do you do?

☛ Does a leader need power or authority? How do you influence people?
☛ Your greatest weakness in school or at work?
☛ What other careers have you considered/applied for?
☛ What's the most important thing you learned in school?
☛ Give an example of how you worked as Logistics Manager on team.
☛ Why are you leaving your present job?
☛ Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas?

☛ How do you make the decision to delegate work?
☛ Which subjects did you enjoy during your qualifying degree?
☛ What do you do if you disagree with a co-worker?
☛ Describe a group project of which you are particularly proud, what was your contribution?
☛ Did you have a strategic plan as Logistics Manager?
☛ When you worked on multiple projects how did you prioritize?
☛ What was the most important task you ever had?

☛ Tell me about the most fun you have had on the job.
☛ What are the most difficult decisions to make?
☛ Give some examples of teamwork?
☛ Do you prefer to work Independently or on a team?
☛ How would you describe your work style?
☛ Describe a typical work week?
☛ How Will Your Greatest Strength Help You Perform?
☛ Describe a time when your workload was heavy?
☛ How will you achieve your goals?
☛ What can you contribute to the company?
☛ What challenges are you looking for?
☛ Who was your best boss?
☛ Have you ever had difficulty working with a manager?
☛ What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
☛ How do you deal with conflict?
☛ How would you tackle the first 90 days?
☛ Tell me about a time you faced an ethical dilemma?
☛ What did you like or dislike about your previous job?
☛ What was the biggest accomplishment in this position?
☛ What negative thing would your last boss say about you?
☛ Give me an example of a time when you had to think out of the box?
☛ Tell me about your proudest achievement?
☛ Tell me about a project you worked on that required heavy analytical thinking?
☛ Tell me about a time when you failed?
☛ Do you have any questions for me?

☛ Is there is situation from your former job, in which you have been implementing changes for the improvement of the logistics processes? How did you detect the necessity of the changes?
☛ How do you prioritize processes and tasks?
☛ Did you ever have to face a situation, in which a deadline was changed to an earlier date? What did you do to still meet the deadline? How did this influence the end result?
☛ What data base did you work with in your previous position?
☛ What would a stressful job situation look like from your point of view?
☛ How experienced are you with freight arrangements?
☛ Imagine a situation in which there are misconceptions about the price between you and the supplier or the carrier, but the products have already been delivered. What would you do?

☛ Give an example of how you worked as Logistics Manager on team.
☛ Your greatest weakness in school or at work?
☛ What three character traits would your friends use to describe you?
☛ What were your starting and final levels of compensation?
☛ How do you react to instruction and criticism?
☛ Have you ever had difficulty getting others to accept your ideas?
☛ How will your greatest strength help you perform?

Your answers to these Logistics Manager interview questions needs to convince the interviewers that your skills are exactly what they want. This is your chance to show your depth and dimension as a person. Logistics Manager interview questions like these demand specifics.

Employers are asking this question to check your problem-solving skills to improve the present situation and to check how much you are updated with the present market challenges.

So, a good answer probably, that as companies are challenged with finding ways to meet ever-rising customer expectations at a manageable cost. To do so, businesses must identify which parts of their supply chain process are not competitive, understand which customer needs are not being met, establish improvement goals, and rapidly implement necessary improvements.

OHS is critically important in all areas of supply chain work. You need to cite a working example of full OHS awareness programs, including training where required.

You are particularly likely to be asked about your motivation in a strengths-based interview, which focuses on what you enjoy doing and what you do well. Your answer should draw on an example from your extracurricular activities, work experience or studies that suggests you would be strongly motivated by the job you are applying for.

This isn't an invitation to boast - you are being asked to match your strengths to the qualities needed to do the job. Don't forget, it's a very specific question. Why are you suited to this job, as opposed to any other? Thorough employer research will save the day, as it will enable you to match your skills, interests and experience to the job role and the company.

This question requires a full answer detailing particular systems you've worked with in the past. The interviewers evaluate this experience in relation to the job requirements.

Some employers may ask you this to check your knowledge in purchase. It can be quite difficult for prospective employers to work out whether potential candidates are good, so this is your chance to shine.

When answering this question you could split up into following points:

☛ By alternative procurement
☛ Alternative supplier sourcing
☛ Vendor increases in different items
☛ Reducing production cost
☛ Procure the best quality products
☛ Procure by ensuring product lifetime by a supplier, which is most effective way of cost minimization.