Logistics Consultant Salary, Requirements and Career Information

Logistics Consultant Salary, Requirements and Career Information. Learn about the education and preparation needed to become a logistics consultant. Get a quick view of the requirements as well as details about degree programs, job duties and internships to find out if this is the career for you. Logistics consultants coordinate maximum efficiency in production and distribution for a company. They usually hold at least a bachelor's degree in business, logistics or another related field. Many opt for more advanced degrees and professional consultant certification when available. Logistics analysts can expect to earn over $50,000 a year. Essential Information. Logistics consultants help manufacturers and distributors find the most efficient methods of transportation for physical goods. Though there are no degree programs dealing specifically with logistics consulting, bachelor's or master's degrees in related fields, such as business, supply chain management, or logistics, are often a requirement for employment. Logistics consultation is a great career for people interested in advising businesses how to be more efficient. Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, **Payscale.com. Logistics Consultant Salary Information. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the consulting industry consists of some of the most educated, well-experienced and highly paid professionals ( www.bls.gov ). Though specific salaries for logistics consultants aren't available, in January 2016, PayScale.com reported that most logistics analysts earned a salary from $39,423 to $75,485. However, consulting companies might offer clients flexible fee structures, such as fixed project fees, quality assurance pricing, or hourly rates. Find schools that offer these popular programs. Actuarial Sciences Business and Commerce, General Business Statistics Customer Service Management eCommerce Logistics, Distribution, and Materials Management Management Science Office Management Operations Management Public and Nonprofit Organizational Management Purchases, Acquisitions, and Contracts Management Transportation Management. Requirements for Logistics Consultants. Educational Requirements. Degree programs offered specifically in logistics consulting don't exist; however, the BLS stated that consultants usually come from a variety of educational and professional backgrounds. Prospective logistics consultants could major in a number of fields, including logistics, business, supply chain management, or transportation, to gain academic knowledge of the industry. Additionally, since consultants require a high level of knowledge in the field, the BLS reported that many consulting companies offer educational assistance for employees to earn an advanced degree, such as a master's in global logistics or a Master of Business Administration. Experience and Skills Requirements. Recent bachelor's or master's-level graduates might be hired by consulting firms directly after receiving their degree, though they can increase their employment prospects by seeking internships at consulting firms while still in school. Alternately, proven experts in the field could work for consulting firms after acquiring sufficient knowledge and experience by working in logistics. Firms typically offer extensive training to new hires, teaching them to communicate effectively with clients and manage multiple projects. Career Information for Logistics Consultants. Logistics consultants work with clients to coordinate and improve the production and physical distribution of material goods. They offer guidance to enhance the efficiency of manufacturing processes, quality control, transportation, and other aspects of product distribution, storage, and sales. Duties of logistics consultants include assisting with transportation procurement, customs brokerage, warehousing, and employee training programs. Logistics consultants need to stay current with the latest technology and techniques for efficient communication between manufacturing, distribution, and customers to offer the best possible recommendations to business clients. Certification Options. The Institute of Management Consultants USA, Inc. (IMC USA) provides programs and courses designed to prepare and hone the skills of prospective and experienced consultants ( www.imcusa.org ). Professionals can become a Certified Management Consultant by meeting educational and experience requirements, submitting to peer-review, and passing exams administered by the IMC USA. Basic, experienced, and management designations exist to demonstrate a consultant's level of expertise. Recertification is required every three years to maintain the credential, though organizational membership dues are required annually. Logistics consultants must be organized, have great communication skills, have strong problem solving skills and have a thorough understanding of production and distribution sciences to ensure that their consulting company is operating efficiently.