How to Become a Logistician?

Do you like to analyze and coordinate things in your daily life? Do you think of yourself as an innovative, determined, efficient and collaborative person? Are you one of them who silently observe everything going around? And lastly, are you confused about what you’re gonna choose for your career with these skills? If you nodded a YES, even just for once while reading the above questions, you are a perfect fit for the profession of a Logistician. If you are interested in how to become a logistician, this blog will give you all the important details regarding this in-demand profession!

Highlight

Median Pay	$76,270 (INR 57,20,368) per year$36.67 (INR 2,750) per hour
Entry-Level Education	Bachelor’s degree
Best Countries to work	USA, UK and Canada
Top courses	MBA, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Data Analytics
University Requirements	GPAIELTSAnd others
Work Experience	None
Difficulty level	Moderate

Who is a Logistician?

A logistician is someone who is in charge of activities involving the movement of goods or people. Purchasing, inventory management, and warehousing are all tasks that the logistician may be assigned. In addition, the logistician is directly involved in the movement of a variety of consumer goods and military supplies.

The logistician uses software systems to plan and track the transfer of goods in order to complete a successful delivery. Furthermore, he facilitates the delivery of goods to their destination and provides status updates on the shipment’s progress.

Also Read: MBA in Logistics

Quick Facts

According to the Bureau of Labour Statistics, US Department of Labour, Occupational Outlook Handbook:

• The number of jobs in the US in the logistics field in 2020 was 191,000.
• The job Outlook for 2020-2030 is 30% (Much faster than average).
• The projected numeric change in employment from 2020 to 2030 is 56,400.
• There are no On-the-Job Training Certificates required for logistics.

Also Read: BBA Logistics

Step-by-step Guide for How to Become a Logistician

Now, you must be curious about how to become a Logistician, so no delays now. Here are the detailed steps for you.

Step 1 Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s degree in a field such as supply chain management, business administration, or industrial engineering is usually required for competitive applicants for logistician positions. A bachelor’s degree in business administration will expose you to a well-rounded curriculum that will prepare you to manage the performance of business operations as well as make the best decisions for an organisation. 

Step 2 Master’s Degree

Employers may prefer that you have additional education, such as a master’s degree in a field like logistics, supply chain management, or data analytics. Some top universities which offer master’s in supply chain management are the University of Washington Foster School of Business, Purdue University Krannert School of Management and UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School. 

Master’s-level courses typically cover concepts such as quantitative analysis, modelling, and computer programming languages. Another popular area of study is predictive analytics, which teaches students how to forecast future events that may impact supply chains. Better forecasting can help organisations gain a competitive advantage and avoid financial losses.

Step 3 Supplementary Skills to Stand Out

Employers may also be looking for candidates who have mastered certain skills, such as the ones listed below:

• Logisticians must develop, implement, and adjust logistical plans, which necessitates critical thinking abilities.

• When logisticians are called upon to handle unexpected issues, such as supplier problems, and adjust plans accordingly to resolve issues, problem-solving skills come into play.

• Customer service skills are also required because logisticians must understand the needs of their customers in order to manage the movement of goods.

Also Read: MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Top Courses

Logistician recruiters prefer certain courses over others. The courses that provide exposure to the practical knowledge of a business, judge and develop an individual’s analytical skills, and make students effective and rational decision-makers are given due consideration. Few of such courses are

• Logistics

A programme that prepares individuals to manage and coordinate all logistical functions in an enterprise, including acquisitions, receiving and handling, internal resource allocation to operations units, and output handling and delivery. Acquiring and purchasing, inventory control, storage and handling, just-in-time manufacturing, logistics planning, shipping and delivery management, transportation, quality control, resource estimation and allocation, and budgeting are all covered in this course.

• Business Administration

Business administration is concerned with a wide range of aspects of business management. This course prepares students for careers in marketing, education, finance, sales, and government. Business administrators implement their department’s or organisation’s goals, policies, and procedures. They are also in charge of product development and service provision. Students in the business administration course learn the fundamentals of business management.

• Supply Chain Management 

Supply chain management (SCM) includes not only the design and planning of supply chain activities, but also the execution, control, and monitoring that enable businesses to build a competitive infrastructure and generate net value. The supply chain includes all of the functional areas involved in receiving and filling a customer’s order with a repeatable and satisfying experience, including planning, procurement, manufacturing, fulfilment, inventory management, logistics, returns to suppliers, and returns from customers.

• Data Analytics

The science of analysing raw data using advanced computing technologies is known as data analytics. It is becoming an essential component of modern business and industry. This degree will equip you with cutting-edge skills that will allow you to solve problems in dynamic business environments. It will put you in a good position for an exciting and rewarding career in a growing industry.

• Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineers create, refine, and manage efficient systems. Industrial engineering entails the analysis, development, improvement, and implementation of all integrated processes and their components, such as materials, equipment, information, energy, people, money, and time. It combines engineering, business, and communications by utilising computer science, maths, production management, process control, and psychology. Industrial engineers have the technical training and interpersonal understanding to improve efficiency and quality in any setting. 

Also Read: Logistics Courses

Best Colleges and Universities Abroad 

University	Degree offered	IELTS Requirement
University of Colorado	Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering	5.5 or higher
Northwestern University	Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Supply Chain Management, MBA	6.5 or higher
University of Cincinnati	Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences, Supply Chain Management, MBA	7 or above
Massachusetts Institute of Technology.	Transportation and Logistics, MBA, BBA	7 or above
Wilfrid Laurier University	Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics	6.5 or higher
University of Toronto	Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics, Industrial Engineering	6.5 or higher
Athabasca University	Supply Chain Management,  Online-MBA	6.0 or above
University of Sussex	Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics	6.0 or above
Cranfield University	Logistics and Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics	6.5 with no band below 5.5
University of Derby	Supply Chain Management, MBA, Data Analytics	6.0 – 7.0

Top Colleges in India

There are many reputed institutions in India too that are offering Logistician courses. A few of these institutions are:

• Indian Institute Of Management–Udaipur
• Symbiosis, Pune
• Presidency University, Karnataka
• Coimbatore Marine College, Coimbatore
• Indian Maritime University, Chennai
• Amity University Noida
• Galgotias University, Noida

Also Read: Construction Management in Canada

What Is the Role of a Logistician in a Corporate?

As supply chains are complex networks that constantly evolve based on customer demands and the performance of competing businesses, skilled logisticians are a valuable asset to any business of any size. A skilled logistician can make a company’s supply chain more efficient and effective.  

The work of a logistician is also critical in meeting changing customer expectations and in making loss prevention strategies. Influencing factors such as technological innovation can help achieve this. As more businesses offer online purchasing, logisticians can play a critical role in ensuring that customers’ needs are met in a timely and efficient manner – an important part of keeping customers happy. 

Also Read: 2 Years PG Diploma Courses in Canada

What are the Skills Requirements to be a Logistician?

In order to manage the activities that come along this profession’s responsibilities, Logisticians are required to have the following skills:

• Managing Skills
• Team Work
• Analytical Skills
• Problem Solving Attitude
• Unique Perspective
• Customer Handling
• Strategies Making

Also Read: MBA Marketing Subjects

Salary and Job Outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics, the median annual salary for a logistician in the United States in 2020 was $76,270 (INR 57,20,368). Salaries, on the other hand, can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the level of education and years of experience. A logistician working in a city with a high cost of living, such as New York or San Francisco, may earn a higher annual salary than one working in a city with a lower cost of living. 

Between 2018 and 2028, the BLS predicts a 5% increase in employment in the field. This corresponds to the approximate average growth rate for all other occupations in the United States. According to the BLS, job opportunities in this field will continue to grow as companies seek to move goods more efficiently, solve problems, and identify operational areas where they can gain a competitive advantage.

Also Read: SOP for Supply Chain Management

Tips and Suggestions 

After doing the courses and getting all the degrees, the final step is to appear for the Logistician Interview in different companies. The following tips and tricks will help you ace the final round.

• Research Commonly Used Terminology/Acronyms like 3PL/4PL, Carriers, Freight Forwarders, LTL/FTL, Trailer Types (Dry Van, Flatbed, Reefer, Step Deck, etc.), Ocean, Air, and Ground Freight, Domestic vs. International Shipping 

• Prepare to Answer – “Why Logistics?” 
• Ask questions from the interview. Always keep in mind that an interview is a process in which you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you.
• Keep your Portfolio with yourself
• Relax, Take a Deep Breath, and Be Yourself

Also Read: Master of Management Studies (MMS)

FAQs

The logistics environment is a hub of innovation and activity, from the C-suite to the warehouse, which means you’ll almost always be in the thick of it. You can discover the right analytical tools to use data to help your organisation run more efficiently by pursuing an advanced data analytics degree. Learn more about the top courses abroad and how to get admitted into your dream university from our experts at Leverage Edu by calling us at 1800 572 000.