Logisticians Occupational Outlook Handbook U

Logisticians. Please enable javascript to play this video. What Logisticians Do. Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, allocated, and delivered. Work Environment. Logisticians work in nearly every industry. The job can be stressful because logistical work is fast-paced. Most logisticians work full time during regular business hours. How to Become a Logistician. A bachelor’s degree is typically required to enter the occupation, although an associate’s degree may be sufficient for some logistician jobs. The median annual wage for logisticians was $74,590 in May 2017. Job Outlook. Employment of logisticians is projected to grow 7 percent from 2016 to 2026, about as fast as for all occupations. Employment growth will be driven by the need for logistics in the transportation of goods in a global economy. State & Area Data. Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for logisticians. Similar Occupations. Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of logisticians with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET. Learn more about logisticians by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations. What Logisticians Do About this section. Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, allocated, and delivered. Logisticians typically do the following: Manage a product’s life cycle from design to disposal Direct the allocation of materials, supplies, and products Develop business relationships with suppliers and clients Understand clients’ needs and how to meet them Review logistical functions and identify areas for improvement Propose strategies to minimize the cost or time required to transport goods. Logisticians oversee activities that include purchasing, transportation, inventory, and warehousing. They may direct the movement of a range of goods, people, or supplies, from common consumer goods to military supplies and personnel. Logisticians use software systems to plan and track the movement of products. They operate software programs designed specifically to manage logistical functions, such as procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain planning and management systems. Work Environment About this section. Logisticians held about 148,700 jobs in 2016. The largest employers of logisticians were as follows: Logisticians work in almost every industry. Some logisticians work in the logistical department of a company, and others work for firms that specialize in logistical work, such as freight-shipping companies. The job can be stressful because logistical work is fast-paced. Logisticians must ensure that operations stay on schedule, and they must work quickly to solve any problems that arise. Some logisticians travel to manufacturing plants or distribution centers. Work Schedules. The majority of logisticians worked full time in 2016, and they sometimes work overtime to ensure that operations stay on schedule. About 1 in 4 of these workers worked more than 40 hours per week in 2016. How to Become a Logistician About this section. A bachelor’s degree is typically required for most positions, although an associate’s degree may be sufficient for some logistician jobs. In some cases, related work experience may substitute for education. Industry certification is helpful for jobseekers. Logisticians may qualify for some positions with an associate’s degree. However, due to complex logistics and supply chains, companies prefer to hire workers who have at least a bachelor’s degree. Many logisticians have a bachelor’s degree in business, systems engineering, or supply chain management. Bachelor’s degree programs often include coursework in operations and database management, and system dynamics. In addition, most programs offer courses that train students on software and technologies commonly used by logisticians, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID). Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. Although not required, certification can demonstrate professional competence and a broad knowledge of logistics. Logisticians can obtain certification through APICS or the International Society of Logistics (SOLE). To become certified, a logistician typically needs to meet education and work experience requirements and pass an exam. There are several certifications available from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). These certifications are required for Department of Defense acquisitions. Work Experience in a Related Occupation. Some employers allow applicants to substitute work experience in place of a specific degree. Previous work experience in a field related to logistics, supply chains, or business can be beneficial. Some gain work experience while working in a logistical support role, such as dispatchers and clerks or while serving in the military . Experience allows a worker to learn about production and supply chain processes. Important Qualities. Communication skills. Logisticians need strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and do business with suppliers and customers. Critical-thinking skills. Logisticians must develop, adjust, and carry out logistical plans. They often must find ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency. Customer service skills. Logisticians must know the needs of their customers in order to coordinate the movement of materials between suppliers and customers. They gain this knowledge through listening to the customer and applying their knowledge of the products and systems to provide what is required. Organizational skills. Logisticians must be able to keep detailed records and simultaneously manage several projects in a fast-paced environment. Problem-solving skills. Logisticians must handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues.