There are all kinds of career opportunities available to an individual who graduates with a degree in transportation and logistics.
Logistics are utilized in pretty much everything from global corporations to municipal governments, and there are so many parts involved in the transportation and logistics industry, that there are literally endless opportunities. Here are some of the hottest career opportunities available in transportation and logistics jobs you should know of today.
Customer Service
Specialists in customer service don’t really need to have college degrees or even an entry-level knowledge of logistics, but the really successful customer service representatives will generally have both. Customer service personnel are intermediaries between clients and the rest of the logistics team, and it’s always necessary to accurately relate the needs and concerns of a client to engineers and managers on the logistics side. If there’s any kind of problem with any logistics jobs, you need to communicate this problem and an appropriate solution to customers. The best customer service representatives are adept at acting as go-betweens for both these parties.
Consultant
Logistics consultants will work directly with clients on the implementation of solutions to manage specific problems. This will sometimes require a consultant to travel to several different cities, and it requires the consultant to be on their toes at all times.
Project management is a big part of consulting, as is managing data to find solutions. It will also be necessary to ensure that clients have a basic understanding of supply chain requirements in order to keep customers satisfied.
Analyst
This is one of the entry-level logistics jobs, and it involves gathering and analyzing data so that problems can be identified. It’s usually necessary to have good computer and math skills and to be able to work well with team members.
Analysts are generally expected to recommend appropriate solutions to management, and as an analyst gains experience, it will not naturally develop into a position of greater complexity and variety. The experience gained as an analyst can be applied in later years to a wide number of positions within the logistics and transportation industry.
Logistics Engineer
Anyone who has first become a successful logistics analyst might be a good candidate to be promoted to logistics engineer. The responsibilities assigned to a logistics engineer are similar to those undertaken by an analyst. Engineers will often evaluate the logistics and supply chain systems so as to identify trends or issues, with the help of mathematics and computer systems. Analysts will generally be responsible for making recommendations, but at engineer level, your responsibilities would be to actually implement appropriate solutions. It will often be necessary to write technical proposals, so good communication skills are also necessary for the job.
Inventory Manager
Inventory managers are responsible for the oversight of material goods and for accumulating resources, while also examining data for possible trends. Another duty of an inventory manager is to identify any problems with inventory and to provide solutions for these problems by using computer systems and managing data effectively.
Inventory managers work with logistics managers and purchasing personnel so that order and distribution schedules can be optimized. It is generally necessary to have some level of experience in importing and exporting, as well as overall logistics skills.
Purchasing Manager
While not all companies which have a logistics department will also have a purchasing manager, it’s fairly common to find one among the ranks of logistics personnel. Some companies work with the distribution of selling products, but manufacturers are not in the same boat.
Manufacturers must acquire materials and resources and arrange for their delivery to use them in production. Purchasing managers are responsible for finding suppliers of these materials, signing contracts with them, and also managing ongoing relationships with them. It will also be necessary to regularly communicate with warehouse managers and inventory managers so that the delivery of materials can be coordinated.
Supply Chain Manager
Supply chain managers are one of the most important positions in the entire system of distribution and logistics. These individuals are responsible for overseeing everything that goes on in the supply chain, including warehousing, purchasing, inventory, and even production. It is their responsibility to attempt to streamline the system, reduce the cost, and optimize productivity.
Supply chain managers will need to understand the entire logistics scheme so that they can forecast long-term financial status. It’s very important for supply chain managers to be able to collaborate with other individuals and communicate effectively, and of course, management skills are also at a premium.
International Logistics Manager
These individuals don’t exactly get involved with acquiring materials, but they are held responsible for maintaining good relations with all partners on an international basis. This makes it necessary to have a good understanding and familiarity with the constantly changing laws, regulations, and customs that apply when dealing with any international countries.
These kinds of managers will frequently begin as importers and exporters, and then also acquire expertise with manufacturing, purchasing, and marketing, so they gain a keen understanding of how to manage supply chains. It helps immensely to have a solid knowledge of logistics and international business so that you can become proficient in this position.
Logistics Solutions provided by Malace|HR
We provide value in a number of ways to our global clients, primarily in the areas of customized transportation and logistics solutions, and the manpower and services necessary for a number of services such as material-handling, line-side delivery, sequencing, consolidation, cross-docks, kitting, sub-assembly, and fulfillment.
Also, we can help you overcome these types of challenges by providing personnel who have skills in the areas of shipping and receiving, hi-lo operation, warehouse management, warehouse operations, and industrial engineering. Any company in need of a strategic partner to assist with controlling costs, managing resources, and providing flexible on-site management support, should contact us as soon as possible to begin an important discussion on their needed logistics jobs.