Is a career in Logistics and Supply Chain Management for you?

If you’re a frequent online shopper, there’s a good chance you’ll be all too familiar with that “add to cart” button. But, have you taken the time to think about what happens next? You may not be aware, but there’s a huge network and a flurry of activity that takes place behind the scenes to allow for the creation and distribution of products to your very doorstep. With the continued increase in e-commerce to the developing nations around the world, moving people, goods, and services is more important than ever. This gives rise to more opportunities for careers within the field of logistics and supply chain management (SCM). A progressive career in this industry is a great career pathway, and here at SILA, we love what we do, so it’s something that we encourage others to explore. 

Is logistics and supply chain management (SCM) a good career pathway?

The Logistics industry is one of the most important in the world. Without the planning and execution of resource distribution, society would simply fail to function. Logistics isn’t a sexy industry that gets a lot of attention, but it employs nearly half a million Australians and accounts for nearly 10% of our GDP. Despite the associated stereotypes (think overworked truckies and stressed warehouse workers), it’s a great career pathway with many exciting opportunities for young graduates to explore. 

What type of jobs are involved in logistics and SCM?

There are many different industries and organisations that are dependent on logistics.  Working in this sector can even mean travelling to several domestic or international locations. You must be a reliable person who is prepared to travel for business trips, client visits, and be open to placement in foreign locations. Additionally, your workspace can range from camping out in an office, operating machinery on a factory floor, or approving packages in a delivery centre.  

There are currently approximately 10,000 jobs advertised in the transport and logistics sector in Australia. Coupled with a 38.4% job growth in the last 5 years, the future for those in this field is very promising, with more and more opportunities being created. Below you can find a brief overview of the most sought out jobs in logistics and supply chain management 

Procurement Manager:

  • Responsible for the sourcing of suppliers, contractual negotiation with suppliers, and oversight of all orders and purchases. This person has great interpersonal relationships and good teamwork. 

Distribution Centre Manager:

  • Responsible for managing the movement, organisation, supply and storage of goods in the centre. This person is a leader and well-organised with excellent communication and customer service skills. 

Operations Manager:

  • Responsible for coordinating and planning the business operations to ensure that day-to-day tasks run efficiently, whilst additionally overseeing all staff, projects and clients. This person has attained significant leadership experience or training over their career, has great attention to detail and excellent stakeholder engagement. 

Logistics Manager:

  • Reporting directly to the CEO, they are often responsible for the whole supply chain – managing the purchasing of goods, movement, storage, scheduling and delivery. This person has a strong ability to work well with others and previous experience with managing employees, negotiation and conflict resolution.

How can I start my career in logistics and SCM?

One option of gaining admittance into the logistics industry is by studying for a degree or diploma. This isn’t compulsory, but it could certainly help you. Some companies prefer to hire individuals with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an institution. Oftentimes, students choose to specialise in supply chain management or systems engineering. 

An alternative to this could be to jump into the industry by starting from the bottom. Some entry-level positions may not require qualifications. These could include customer service roles, delivery drivers, or distribution clerks. The idea here is to work your way up the hierarchy and potentially gain some additional education on the way to bolster your opportunities.

In addition to studying and gaining real experience, it’s important to remember that to be a successful professional in the logistics industry, there are various skills you must work on and keep in mind all times. 

  • Interpersonal skills
  • Extensive industry knowledge 
  • Team player 
  • Adaptability
  • Strong numerical and analytical skills 
  • Big picture thinking
  • Decision-making 
  • Accountability 
  • Attention to detail 

We love working in logistics and hope this blog will inspire those who are considering a career in the industry to give it some serious thought.

To learn more about SILA’s services, head to our website www.sila.net.au or get in touch with our friendly teams in Australia or New Zealand:

Australia

Email sales@sila.net.au

Phone +61 7 3908 1690

New Zealand

Email sales@sila.net.nz

Phone +(07) 3733 2685