A product is introduced into a market. The product’s exposure grows, reaches a peak of maturity and presence in the market, then declines. The stage in which a product stands in the life cycle determines the efforts and assets needed to move them from production into the customer. The logistics coordinator guides the supply chain in accordance with the particular demand for the product and the stage of the product’s life cycle. The job description for a logistics coordinator explains that this professional brings a blended background of business, marketing and operations management to the position.
What Does a Logistics Coordinator Do?
Logistics coordinators lead the movement of products from the suppliers to their end-users, or the customers. As overseers of the supply chain, logistic coordinators guide the acquisition, distribution, allocation and delivery of the product and its components. In the military context, coordinators move soldiers and their supplies and equipment into combat areas, bases or other locations.
To fulfill the duties requires logistic coordinators to have dedication to serving customers, a grasp of the potential challenges to moving resources and cultivating relationships.
Logistics Coordinator Job Responsibilities – Resume
- Cultivate relationships with suppliers, buyers, personnel agencies, property owners and others involved in production or events
- Direct the allocation and distribution of raw materials, inventory, products and personnel
- Arrange for staffing of events and projects
- Coordinate provision or display of sample products
- Analyze shipment and delivery routes, including time and costs of transportation along routes
- Address and label merchandise and shipments
- Oversee arrangement and displays of merchandise and materials
- Ensure the adequacy of warehouse and other storage space
- Estimate costs of storage and delivery of items
- Hire, train and assign tasks to employees
- Update management and customers on status of production and deliveries
- Inspect equipment or facility as necessary
- Evaluate logistical aspects of project and recommend changes in process for future projects
Logistics Coordinator Essential Skills
Analytical. The logistics coordinator job description requires analysis of possible shipment routes, the time needs of customers, the availability of suppliers and other factors to help production staff schedule work. Analytical skills entail evaluation and interpretation of data related to the time and costs involved in the product cycle and delivery of goods.
Business Skills. Understanding sales and marketing efforts helps logistics coordinators anticipate the level of resources necessary to move product. Coordinators must have awareness of the increase of a product’s exposure in the market place and its effect on the supply chain. Business skills also include accounting for labor, fuel and other costs in the logistics system.
Customer Service. Logistics coordinators must promptly and respectfully answer inquiries and concerns about timing and status of deliveries. Customer service also involves the ability to resolve complaints of customers in the quality of goods, prices or behavior of drivers and delivery crews.
Organization. Handling multiple projects, multi-tasking, record keeping and advanced planning are necessary skills for logistics coordinators.
Problem-Solving. Unanticipated malfunctions at the production facility, traffic, vehicle breakdowns and other problems may require coordinators to adjust plans and notify customers of reasons for delay.
Becoming a Logistics Coordinator
With logistics evolving and becoming more complex, coordinators must bring substantial education and experience to bear. The background can come from earning degrees in production or business-related fields and experience at various stages of the supply chain.
Education and Training
Logistics coordinators should be college graduates. O*NET says that three out of four logisticians have a bachelor’s degree. Some employers may accept applicants with an associate’s degree.
Typical major include business administration, supply chain management and systems engineering.
Students may take classes in operations research, operations management, systems design, project management, marketing and production control systems.
Work Experience
Seekers of logistics coordinator positions may collect work experience in jobs that involve supply chains. These include positions in warehouses, distribution centers, manufacturing establishments and military service. Other relevant job titles affording experience in logistics include dispatch, planning, purchasing and acquisition, sales and customer service.
Candidates should also have a work history that involves handling bills of lading, bills of sale, arrival notices and other shipping or delivery documents.
As many companies distribute internationally, logistic coordinators may need experience in freight delivery by air, ocean or train. Coordinators seeking jobs with international companies may need practical exposure with customs issues. This can come from having worked at a seaport, airport on in a customs enforcement agency.
Work Schedules
A typical shift for a logistics coordinator is full-time. Shifts usually run normal, daytime business hours and weekday. Coordinators may work beyond that time to ensure the absence of delays in work. Overtime may be necessary where particular orders require immediate attention or emergencies or disruptions arise.
To oversee operations at warehouses, plants, stores or other venues, logistics coordinators may travel and have overnight stays away from home. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that almost one in four logisticians logged more than 40 hours per week.
Career Prospects
Manufacturing firms and the government rank as the predominant employers of logistics coordinators. Both sectors have experienced recent declines in growth. As a result, hiring of logisticians overall should rise by 2,500, or two percent, by 2024. In 2014, logisticians numbered 130,400.
Turnover in these positions due to retirements, especially in the military and manufacturing companies, should afford job openings for logisticians. Moreover, with continued tensions and potential security threats will come the demand for logisticians to coordinate the movement of troops, weapons, military equipment and supplies.
Conclusion
Even with domestic manufacturing slowing, prospective logistics coordinators can take advantage of turnover to find job opportunities. Experience in logistics and supply chain management can enhance prospects. The complexity of supply chains and the international scale of business may require applicants to demonstrate knowledge and skills in customs and other regulations applicable to distribution and in distribution by air and sea as well as on the ground. You can check here for more retail jobs.