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Different Types of Logistics Jobs

Posted by [email protected] on Jul. 5, 2022  /  Subscribe 0

It's crunch time! You know, that time in life when you realize what you're doing isn't getting you where you want to go. You might be working in an office or at a warehouse or in a sales job that might make you some money, but isn't going to take care of you for the long run. That's what crunch time is all about. It's a time for recognizing that you want more and it's time to do something about it. What got your attention here were the words "logistics jobs.” The reason it caught your eye is that you've been thinking about it already, hearing about it, or just wondering what the heck "logistics" and "supply chains" really are. In this blog, we’ll define those terms and explain some of the different types of logistics jobs that may interest you. 

Logistics, Logistics, Logistics!

It seems that, lately, all anyone can talk about is logistics. It's everywhere, and for good reason. Logistics is defined as “the overall process of managing how resources are acquired, stored, and transported to their final destination.” This means that every aspect of production and distribution falls under the logistics umbrella. 

Essentially, logistics get people, items, and everything else from Point A to Point B. Without logistics, you wouldn’t have your TV or your oven; the parts and pieces that comprise them came via logistics; the things that make up the parts and pieces of your TV and oven came via logistics. Every manufacturer, marketer, seller, user, and disposer uses or benefits from logistics in one way or another. 

The fact that logistics is so all-encompassing means that there are many jobs for logistics professionals out there. Below, we provide a list of just a few of the logistics positions available. 

Jobs in Logistics

• Administrator
• Applications and Systems Integration
• Customer Support Systems Analyst
• Data Analysis for Trending Processes
• Data Entry Specialist
• Data Maintenance
• Distribution and Warehousing Support
• Documentation Specialist
• Governmental Procedures Expert
• International Trade Support Analyst
• Inventory Control Specialist
• Inventory Manager
• Logistics Analyst
• Logistics Engineer
• Manufacturing Process Scheduling
• Marketing Supply Support
• Process Engineer
• Purchasing Manager
• Quality Control Supervision
• Security Specialist
• Shipping Coordinator
• Source Materials Locator
• Supply Chain Director of Operations
• Transportation Analyst
• Transportation Manager 
• Vendor Identification and Qualification
• Warehouse Manager

Logistics Job Availability

As you can see, there are a lot of different job titles under the moniker of "logistics". There are hundreds of thousands of listings for logistics jobs in manufacturing plants, government offices, wholesale distribution centers, raw material refineries, and much more. Most of these jobs have great pay with a median salary of around $50-70k , benefits, and working conditions. Because logistics is so essential to businesses running smoothly, these jobs are listed everywhere businesses can be found — not just in North America. As long as you have the right credentials and experience, it shouldn’t be difficult to find a logistics job that works for you anywhere in the world. 

Getting Certified 

The copious availability of jobs in logistics may sound too good to be true. The good news is that it is true, and the only thing stopping you from getting one of these jobs is certification. There are many supply chain management certifications out there, and you may wonder which certification is right for you. Luckily, there is a specific certification that specializes in logistics and can help you get a job in the field — the Certification in Logistics, Transportation, and Distribution (CLTD). 

You can get this certificate without needing to spend four years and tens of thousands of dollars in school on a degree in logistics. In fact, the Association for Supply Chain Management (ASCM) offers self-study learning systems that will teach you everything you need to know in order to ace the certification exam, which they also administer. You can even purchase a bundle from our site, which not only saves you money, but includes a retake exam in case you need it. 

Certification is Easy

Not only is getting certified cheaper than college, but the process is much easier than typical classes, as well. It takes only a few minutes to sign up for classes online (or to buy the self-study system online). The benefit of online classes is that they come with support and resources that you may not get from a self-study system, and oftentimes you might learn about other classes that you’re interested in or need for your career. Also, you don’t need to worry about taking classes in a specific schedule that may work well for your instructor, but doesn’t work well for you. Classes take the form of video lectures that can be watched and replayed at your convenience and your pace. Finally, it is much faster to complete these courses and get certified than it would be to go to a four-year school and graduate — and that means that it’s that much faster to get started in a number of new logistics careers. 

Additional Benefits of Certification

When you get certified through ASCM, you not only gain valuable knowledge that the field of logistics requires — such as problem solving, maintaining relationships with suppliers, and project management — but you gain connections with other professionals, novice and experienced alike. ASCM works to connect professionals with supply chain and logistics companies all around the world through the pursuit of the newest ideas, innovations, and leadership in the industry. This means that ASCM can be helpful to you even if you’re a master in logistics; they make transitioning careers easy by providing classes and information that work for everyone and every schedule. 

Logistics Certification and Careers with ASCM

Now that you know more about the different types of logistics jobs and what they require for entry, it’s time for your next steps. Whether you’re confident that a career in logistics is right for you or dipping your toe into the waters of supply chain management, the Association for Supply Chain Management can help you with your next steps. Available any time and anywhere, you can join ASCM in driving innovation in the industry. We are built on a foundation of American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) certification and over 60 years of training. Join us today for unlimited resources, insights, and learning materials, whether you’re just getting started or looking to dive deeper into the world of logistics and supply chain management. 

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