Logistics professionals are in high demand. A survey of 1,000 supply chain and logistics decision-makers found that 76% of respondents are facing notable labor shortages. More than half indicated that positions for logistics knowledge workers — such as planners and analysts — were the most difficult to fill, followed by logistics managers.
According to the ASCM Supply Chain Dictionary, logistics is the subset of supply chain management that controls the forward and reverse movement, handling, and storage of goods between origin and distribution points. Logistics managers handle the inbound and outbound movement of raw materials, components and finished goods. Specific responsibilities can include managing transportation documentation; scheduling operational tasks such as receiving, picking, packing and shipping; planning distribution routes; directing fleets; tracking shipments; analyzing budgets; and balancing demand with capacity. From here, responsibilities progress to higher-level planning and decision-making.
Now is a great time to start a career in logistics. Here’s what you need to know.
How to start a career in logistics
A career in logistics typically starts with a college degree or a professional certification in the field, followed by an internship or full-time role. Education is often supplemented with experience and professional certifications, such as the ASCM Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD) credential or the ASCM Supply Chain Warehousing Certificate.
Career paths in logistics
A logistics career path may start as a warehouse worker, logistics administrator, inventory analyst, buyer or purchaser, supply planner, demand planner, production planner, or a number of other logistics jobs. Professionals progress to specialist and manager roles, director positions, and ultimately executive roles. For example, a professional might start as a logistics manager for less-than-truckload, trucking or rail; move to a distribution manager role; grow to director of distribution; advance to director of transportation; and ultimately reach the role of vice president of transportation. Another example career path broadens into more general supply chain management jobs: It starts at logistics coordinator or master scheduler, then progresses to senior logistics manager or supply chain manager, director of supply chain, vice president of supply chain, and chief supply chain officer.
Logistics career salary
The annual salary for logistics jobs of course varies by job type and location. The salary range for logistics managers in the United States ranges from $70,625 to $130,000, with the average salary around $86,500. Logistics managers with an APICS credential — such as the ASCM CLTD designation — earn an extra $12,500 annually on average. The median salary for APICS certified logistics managers is $99,000. Professionals in Canada who hold a CLTD designation earn 16% more than their peers without the designation.
Supply chain logistics skills
Professionals pursuing a career in logistics should have, or be prepared to acquire, knowledge about risk management, capacity constraints and customer service. They hey also need excellent analytics and customer service skills, prioritize collaboration, understand critical thinking, are flexible, know how to problem-solve, and can see the big picture and plan ahead.
Entry-level jobs in logistics
A variety of jobs serve as a great foundation and entry point for a career in logistics:
- Customer support systems analyst
- Data entry specialist
- Data analyst
- Distribution or warehousing worker
- Documentation specialist
- Governmental procedures expert
- Inventory control specialist or inventory manager
- Logistics analyst
- Logistics coordinator
- Logistics engineer
- Logistics manager
- Master planner
- Purchasing manager
- Quality control specialist
- Shipping coordinator
- Transportation analyst
- Transportation manager
- Warehouse manager
Senior-level jobs in logistics
A career in logistics offers plenty of room to grow, too. After an entry-level and a managerial role, professionals can advance to higher-level positions, such as director of distribution, director of transportation or vice president of transportation.
Regardless of the specific logistics career path chosen, industry professionals will most likely find fulfilling, stable supply chain careers. On a 1-10 scale, 65% of surveyed supply chain professionals ranked their job satisfaction at an eight or higher, and 96% said they planned to stay in the field for at least the next five years. With high demand for talent and high benefits offerings, now is a great time to ask yourself, “Is a career in logistics right for me?”
