The pandemic has caused the supply chain and logistics sectors to work exponentially faster to meet an influx of demand. Logistics is the process of ensuring all products get from the point of origin to the point of consumption on time in good condition. Having specific systems in logistics that are efficient and scalable is essential in the business’s success, therefore, if logistics are well managed, the company’s expenses can be lowered while customer service is improved.
Shipping, public transport, and distribution are the key elements of effective logistics, and below are several business functions of it.
– Inbound and outbound transportation
– Warehousing
– Fleet management
– Inventory management
– Demand planning and sales forecasting
– Portfolio management
If you’re thinking of having a career in logistics, we list down the eight potential career paths for you to match your interests and skillset, as extracted from Indeed.
- Distribution Manager
A distribution manager often works closely with marketing and sales teams to ensure the distribution of their product suits the demand and supply. They also oversee the scheduling and dispatching of vehicles and goods. This can be a senior position and may involve managing staff or ensuring all vehicles comply.
2. Logistics Specialist
Logistics specialists are experts in coordinating with customs brokers, vendors, and delivery services. They maintain distribution centers to deliver and track accurately fulfilled orders that leave and arrive on time. Similarly, they’re responsible for making sure all inbound deliveries arrive on time to fulfill orders and ensuring all paperwork or shipping documentation is correct and accurately fulfilled orders that leave and arrive on time. Similarly, they’re responsible for making sure all inbound deliveries arrive on time to fulfill orders and ensuring all paperwork or shipping documentation is correct and complete.
3. Logistics Planner
Logistics planners review, monitor, and analyze customer usage or consumption to plan the placement of distribution vehicles and personnel. It’s a high-communication job that requires forward-thinking and planning skills. Planners need a comprehensive understanding of data analysis and sales statistics to align all stages of logistics.
4. Fleet Manager
Fleet managers oversee the vehicles that deliver goods or people and the staff that drive them. They may manage fleets of company cars, agricultural vehicles, or public transport vehicles. A fleet manager needs great managerial skills and attention to detail when maintaining the compliance of all vehicles in their fleet.
5. Inventory Manager
Inventory managers are essential members of warehouses, distribution centers, and even retailers. It’s the responsibility of the inventory manager to take stock, organize stockrooms, and often receive incoming deliveries. Inventory managers ensure company stock systems show accurate records of stock that is available or out of stock.
6. Transportation Logistics Coordinator
Transportation logistics managers oversee the transportation elements of trucking companies and other logistics businesses. These companies specialize in transportation, and it’s the logistics coordinator’s duty to make sure the drivers in their fleet complete their deliveries on time. This means not only ensuring the vehicles satisfy regulations but managing the drivers as well.
7. Distribution Centre Associate
A distribution center associate is like a logistics assistant or logistics clerk, except they specifically manage the incoming and outgoing goods in distribution centers. Distribution centers are the warehouses where companies store goods after they’re purchased from the supplier but before they’re sent out to the customers. Their duties may even include picking and packing orders or labeling goods. As with the logistics assistant and clerk, this is an entry-level role
8. Customer Service Representative
Customer service representatives are the customer-facing logistics roles in most companies that deliver goods. They have excellent communication skills, but also comprehensive knowledge of delivery services, the functions of their company’s fleet if they have one, and the movement of stock in the business. They may work in call centers of suppliers or retailers and take orders to be fulfilled by the distribution centers or warehouses.
Enroll in Post-Graduate in Supply Chain and Logistics Management and upgrade your skills in logistics for 36 weeks. If you reside in Ontario, you may even qualify for the provincial government funding that covers tuition fees and basic living allowances up to $28,000. Take our free assessment here and get in touch with our student advisor today!