What is Logistics Management?

Generally, when a youngster asks a question about his career plan, his/her instant answer is maybe a doctor or an engineer, police, teacher, psychologist, etc., but can he ever imagine a “Career in Logistics Management”? Strangely, we are confined to few choices, but do we know there are many career opportunities, including a Career in Logistics Management? It is a highly demanding field with paradoxically many capable brains that do not want to acquaint themselves with it. Still, this career is well here, recognized, and has excellent growth potential.

Logistic managers work at the heart of the organizations as they are the ones who ensure manufacturers are getting requisite raw materials and the finished goods and services are reaching the end consumers or any other desired destination. Logistics managers steer the company toward its growth. Logistics Manager is required in every business, whether big or small. A small business person would have one logistic manager, but big organizations have separate Logistics Management and Supply Chain department.

Many start their career in Logistics Management at the entry level and work their level up, acquiring more responsibilities and higher salaries. The manufacturing sector employs the most significant number of logisticians, we can say around 40 percent of them and can achieve different job titles, with some of them are:

Consultants
Logistics Analyst
Customer Service Manager
International logistic Manager
Inventory Control Manager
Logistics Engineer
Logistics Manager
Logistic Service Salesman
Supply Chain Manager
Purchasing Manager
Systems Support Manager
Transportation Manager
Vendor Managed Inventory Coordinator
Warehouse Operations Manager

Here I would focus on how to build a career in Logistics Management

What Does A Logistics Manager Do?

A Logistic Manager is also known as a Supply chain manager who manages the transport of inventories and raw materials, manufactured products, and different goods and services from one place to another. They get the help of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), which explains to the Logistics manager how to connect the suppliers to consumers in the production of the goods while handling the different steps in between. A logistics manager’s job is to have all the products in their proper condition and quantity transported on the spot at the right time. They look after the companies following needs:

Warehousing
Complete Inventory Control
Proper Transport arrangements
Handle Materials properly
Provide customer services

Reasons Why You Should Consider a Career In Logistics

Logistics is very important for any company as, without proper execution, the company would cease to function, and there would be chaos all over the organization. Just imagine a situation where a production department does not receive raw materials on time; how will it start its manufacturing process? A logistics manager looks after all the operations. The in-house logistics process then works with outbound logistics management for products and services to get distributed.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider a career in Logistics:

1. More Opportunities in Logistics

As the world economy gets closer, multinational companies and corporate giants look forward to Logistics for new opportunities. As per the US Department of Labor estimates, logistics jobs would continue to grow by 25.5 percent from 2010 to 2020. In this field than at least 27,800 jobs are expected to be generated.

2. Logistics Management Salary

The approximate salary of a Logistician is around 53,000 dollars, while the annual earning is about 74,000 dollars. The salary distributed among the lower rung was estimated to be $43,500 in 2010, but the top ten had been earning more than $108,000 yearly, which will indeed be doubled. The leading market for Logistician in the United States is Bellingham, W.A.

3. Logistics positions are available for anyone

It is a general assumption that a Career in logistics needs an advanced degree, but it also depends on which logistics field you are interested in. Naturally, you need a Bachelors’s degree if you want the job at the senior level, but there are also jobs such as truck drivers, warehouse workers, and forklift operators. They all make part of the Logistics team requiring Logistics executives. There is always a scope for growth in Logistics, and opportunities for advancement are also many. Besides, the department provides training programs for aspiring candidates, and promotions are common. Hard workers and innovative persons can reach a higher hierarchy level quickly and positively.

4. US Government also provides Logistics Training

Many people enter Logistics after serving armed forces, where Logistics plays a critical and sensitive role. The four years of experience they get in the army is enough to gain the position as a mid-level logistics in any organization or manufacturing unit.

5. There is no geographic limitation to starting Career in Logistics

Logistics is not confined to any particular geographic area or a specific industry. You can begin a Career in Logistics from anywhere or any part of the world and any industry or company. Nearly all companies or organizations require Logistics workers, and a few industries like the army, the oil industry, and the coal industry are the hubs of Logistics.

6. A career in Logistics management is Very Interesting

People already working in this field know how fascinating this occupation is. Every day they have a new task ahead and a new challenge in front of them. And they are doing a multitude of tasks. They must show responsibility, diligence, intelligence, and cunning and make proper strategies and plans. After all, they have to keep, transport, and deliver every item securely, and that too as scheduled. Their tasks become complicated when transporting and delivering at higher altitudes where roads are rough and risky, and when goods must be carried across oceans, through forests, and even in war zones. There are a lot of risks and stakes involved in this occupation. Only the most experienced and skilled person can achieve this feat.

7. A career in Logistics for women is also doubling

Men traditionally held a career in Logistics, and in many nations still, men dominate in this area. But slowly, the situation is changing as women now hold top logistics positions and do their job perfectly well.

8. Logistics can also become a first step for entering an International Business

People who have started their careers in logistics can also gain quick experience in doing international business and develop new skills. This business gives you much exposure to meet people across the land and even learn their language and culture. You can also learn many tits and bits of doing business overseas. Besides, you might also get an opportunity to relocate overseas lands temporarily.

You can establish fraternal relationships.

Logistic managers consider their co-workers as their teammates and consider them as their biggest asset. People working in it feel a sense of pride in what they do and achieve.

Educational requirement to make Career in Logistics Management

The educational requirement depends on the industry for which a manager is required and the company’s individual needs. It is seen that at least a bachelor’s degree is needed to apply for a position. The CSCMP recommends having an internship, work experience, business skills, and supply management know-how as a requirement. The industry also demands a candidate to have experience or knowledge of the specific sector for which he is applying.

A bachelor’s degree in Logistics, supply chain management, or business administration is a field that can prepare graduates to build their careers in logistics management. In the course, students are taught the main concepts, processes, and strategies of supply chain management, including critical aspects of business management. The degree program also includes

Global logistics,
Logistics operations,
Storage and distribution,
Accounting and business law

A customer service position at the lowest hierarchy level needs an associate degree, with many jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree. Many employers also necessitate having a master’s degree. Students are made to go through lessons in administration, finance, marketing, international business, statistics, and conflict resolution. Programs also offer many internship options to get first-hand experience. Students need to gain expertise in

Supply chain analysis,
Supply Chain Management Strategies
Global Procurement and Supply Management
Domestic and International Transportation Management
Principles of Traffic Management
Technology and Product Innovation Management

Besides, a Logistics Manager needs to acquaint himself with software programs for tracking movements and maintaining the record of inventories and accounting.

Online education is available, which offers logistics degree programs at different levels.

Different Degree Options

Logistics degree programs cover managerial decision-making distribution and logistics and supply chain management and management. Some programs are also offered as operational management or logistics and supply chain management degree programs. Some schools also offer a degree program in transportation and logistics.

Pre-requisites for Logistics & Supply Chain Management Job

You start your career in logistics as the Customer Service Manager, a typical entry-level Logistics and Supply chain logistics management stream. Listening to and servicing customers is crucial to any business. Many companies also expect an entry-level employee to manage product inventories, shifting of products, and arrange transportation, including managing the supplies required for production. Many organizations also need entry-level employees working as distribution clerks, van drivers, and operational clerks who can become stepping stones for advanced-level positions.

Some entry-level jobs are operational research analyst or process associate, which are more focused on analytical and critical thinking and may need certifications.

Advanced level of Logistics and Supply Chain management

As the person continues to gain experience in Logistics, there is a climb of the hierarchical level. The positions available are industry analyst, global logistics manager, operational director, transportation director, and international logistics manager. A Logistical manager is in charge of efficiently moving goods and services from suppliers to consumers. A Logistician looks after the products’ proper flow and management, from collections, arrangements, transportation, and maintaining the record to the final delivery. At the same time, a Supply Chain Manager checks the proper functioning of all the systems and then streamlines all the activities. The experienced candidates can also reach the position of President and Vice President who looks into the various aspects of Logistics and Supply chain management.

Many multinational companies also seek Logistics managers for their cross-country operations, as they work with logistics companies and foreign distributors to conduct their business. You also have the opportunity to work as a consultant and in a capacity of the same can work with many different companies, at the national as well as international level. Consultants offer strategies and tips on how the processes can be streamlined.

These are some of the best Supply Chain Masters courses available:

Purdue University, MBA in Global Supply Chain Management (USA)

It is based at Purdue University, located in Lafayette, Indiana, having a full-time year-long program providing contextual and problem-solving skills.

Maastricht University MSc Global Supply Chain Management and Change (Netherlands)

It is a complete Global Supply Chain Management and Change program for meeting supply chain requirements and providing innovative approaches for the success of businesses. The institute is in Venlo, allowing students to place their knowledge into practice.

ESSEC Business School Advanced Master’s Degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management (France)

It is an advanced Master’s degree program that provides professional training in the basics of Supply Chain management. The American Production and Inventory Control Society includes certification taught to them in French. The program aims to make its graduates become professionals.

BEM – KEDGE Business School ISLI – MS Global Supply Chain Management

The Business School provides the MSc Global Supply Chain Management program to meet the multicultural manager’s needs. Companies approach the institute to gain Supply Chain Excellence and help them learn and grasp new-age business management with supply chains that extend across borders and oceans.

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