Logistics as a part of how supply chain management plans, implements, and controls the effective and efficient forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and information. Logistician managers are involved in supply chain liaising with a number of varying parties including suppliers of raw materials, manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. They coordinate processes to ensure customers need and satisfaction. The role of logistician may include transportation, inventory control, warehousing, and monitoring the flow of goods and materials.
IT plays a key role in the logistics field as the information is going complex day by day and the business market scenario is highly competitive. The work of a logistician usually includes monitoring the quality, quantity, and cost of the flow and storage of goods and coordinating and controlling the flow, along with staffing, allocating, and managing resources. It also comprises of liaising with suppliers and customers, developing business by exploring new areas, providing proper training to employees, and setting objectives and goals. Planning projects, managing a number of teams, projects, budgets and processes provides the capability of identifying the best solution of a problem through this experience. These are the very vital need for pursuing a job as a logistic manager. The other important work of a logistician or logistic manager is to manage an external relationship for example with suppliers, customers, other government functional bodies, with partners and other media houses.
He should also be adaptive and creative in his ideas, thought, and work. Their adaptive nature is very important as the market is very volatile and changes rapidly and as such the logistic manager should also change with time. He should also be a good motivator. Motivation plays an important role and as such to take out works from the junior staff and also from him the logistician should be able to motivate.
The major challenge for the logistician is to deliver the work on time. He should take responsibilities on the late delivery and improve the system so as to fulfill all the commitments. As the logistician has to deal with an outside person, it is very important for him to have necessary interpersonal skills; this helps to effectively communicate with them to take out maximum effort from them. The report, which is needed to be prepared by him, requires him to be very good in writing technical reports based on the facts.
This area is open to all graduates and diplomats, but having a degree in logistic management and a deep knowledge in computer system is highly desirable and can improve your chances further. Related work experience in warehousing, storage retail or administration could be an additional advantage.
There are several colleges which offer majors in the transport and logistic sector. The colleges include the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, and Pennsylvania State University-University Park, Arizona State University, Ohio State University, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Tennessee, University of Maryland, Purdue University – West Lafayette, and the University of Texas – Austin. These universities are experienced in providing education in the logistics and transport departments.
This area has a better growth prospect as the companies are looking for an efficient and effective logistics manager. The candidates choosing logistics management as a career have employment in various fields like system integration and administration, management trainee program, logistic planning and management, project and quality management, freight transportation and forwarding, and many more.
As the business processes are going complex day by day and are exploring new areas in the world, thus the demand for a logistics manager is increasing and has a better growth prospect globally. A candidate starting salary figure is around $30,000-$40,000 per year. With work experience salary can get up to $80,000 or more per year. Proper training and a degree in logistics can enhance the salary figure further.
Candidates looking at logistics as a career must have proper training from reputed firms. Demands for individuals as a logistics manager is getting high and the candidate choosing logistics as a career has a high growth prospect. Candidates can go for training in this field as a number of institutes are offering courses in this field; experienced workers hold an upper hand in these situations.
