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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Logistician

💰 $ - $

LogisticsSupply ChainOperationsTransportation

🎯 Role Definition

A Logistician is the central nervous system of our supply chain. You will be responsible for meticulously planning, implementing, and controlling the efficient, effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet customer requirements. This role involves managing the entire order cycle, from procurement to transportation and final delivery, while optimizing for speed, cost, and reliability.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Warehouse Supervisor
  • Supply Chain Assistant

Advancement To:

  • Logistics Manager
  • Supply Chain Manager
  • Director of Operations

Lateral Moves:

  • Procurement Specialist
  • Supply Chain Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Oversee and manage the complete order fulfillment process, from initial customer order entry through to final delivery, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
  • Plan and coordinate all transportation logistics, including selecting carriers, negotiating freight rates, and scheduling shipments for both domestic and international freight.
  • Monitor and maintain optimal inventory levels by analyzing demand forecasts, tracking stock movements, and implementing inventory control procedures to prevent stockouts and overstock situations.
  • Act as the primary point of contact for freight forwarders, carriers, and customs brokers to ensure smooth and compliant import/export operations.
  • Develop and implement strategic logistics plans and policies to improve operational efficiency, reduce transportation costs, and enhance overall customer service.
  • Utilize and manage Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems to process orders, track shipments, and maintain accurate inventory data.
  • Analyze and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as on-time delivery, transportation costs, inventory accuracy, and order cycle time to drive continuous improvement.
  • Resolve any logistical issues, shipment delays, or discrepancies that arise during transportation, customs clearance, or delivery by investigating the root cause and implementing swift corrective actions.
  • Coordinate closely with procurement, sales, and warehouse teams to ensure seamless alignment of supply chain activities and to accurately forecast future logistics requirements.
  • Ensure all logistics activities strictly comply with applicable national and international trade laws, safety regulations, and company policies.
  • Prepare and process all necessary shipping and receiving documentation, including bills of lading, packing lists, commercial invoices, and customs declarations.
  • Manage relationships with third-party logistics (3PL) providers, monitoring their performance against service level agreements (SLAs) and leading regular business reviews.
  • Conduct regular audits of logistics processes and associated costs to identify opportunities for optimization and implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising service quality.
  • Coordinate the reverse logistics process, efficiently managing the return of goods from customers for repair, replacement, or credit.
  • Evaluate and select new logistics vendors and partners by conducting market research, issuing requests for proposals (RFPs), and negotiating contracts and service terms.
  • Lead or participate in supply chain projects aimed at improving systems, infrastructure, or processes, such as implementing new software or re-designing warehouse layouts.
  • Provide detailed tracking information and proactive logistics updates to internal stakeholders and customers, ensuring transparent communication throughout the shipping process.
  • Manage the logistics budget, diligently tracking expenditures and variances, and providing regular financial performance reports to management.
  • Develop robust risk management strategies for the supply chain, identifying potential disruptions (e.g., port strikes, weather events, carrier failures) and creating effective contingency plans.
  • Champion a culture of safety and compliance within all warehouse and transportation activities, ensuring adherence to health and safety standards.
  • Analyze complex supply chain data to forecast demand, optimize distribution routing, and improve the overall efficiency of the network.
  • Supervise and train junior logistics staff or coordinators, providing mentorship and support to develop their skills and ensure high team performance.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics) and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS).
  • Strong understanding of Transportation Management Systems (TMS) for planning and execution.
  • Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel for data analysis, reporting, and modeling (VLOOKUP, Pivot Tables, Macros).
  • In-depth experience with international shipping regulations, customs documentation, and Incoterms.
  • Expertise in inventory management and control techniques (e.g., Just-In-Time, FIFO, LIFO, ABC analysis).
  • Strong capabilities in data analysis and supply chain performance metric (KPI) tracking and reporting.
  • Practical knowledge of freight forwarding, carrier negotiation, and multimodal route optimization.
  • A solid foundation in supply chain principles and logistics cost management.

Soft Skills

  • Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills to diagnose and resolve complex logistical challenges.
  • Strong organizational and time-management abilities with an impeccable attention to detail.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating with vendors, customers, and internal teams.
  • Proven negotiation skills for securing favorable terms with carriers, suppliers, and 3PLs.
  • Ability to work under pressure and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
  • Proactive, resourceful, and self-motivated with a continuous improvement mindset.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent professional experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's degree in Supply Chain Management or a professional certification (e.g., APICS CSCP, CLTD).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Logistics
  • Business Administration
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3-7 years of direct experience in a logistics or supply chain role.

Preferred: Experience in a specific industry (e.g., manufacturing, retail, e-commerce) and a proven track record of leading cost reduction and process improvement projects.

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