Occupation

Logisticians

Human Advantage 76%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.5 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Analyze and coordinate the ongoing logistical functions of a firm or organization. Responsible for the entire life cycle of a product, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.

Also Known As: Acquisition Analyst, Automated Logistics Specialist, Client Services Administrator, Delivery Coordinator, Demand Planner, Distribution Specialist, Inventory Analyst, Logistician +22 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Maintain and develop positive business relationships with a customer's key personnel involved in, or directly relevant to, a logistics activity.
  2. Develop an understanding of customers' needs and take actions to ensure that such needs are met.
  3. Manage subcontractor activities, reviewing proposals, developing performance specifications, and serving as liaisons between subcontractors and organizations.
  4. Develop proposals that include documentation for estimates.
  5. Review logistics performance with customers against targets, benchmarks, and service agreements.
  6. Direct availability and allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products.
  7. Redesign the movement of goods to maximize value and minimize costs.
  8. Explain proposed solutions to customers, management, or other interested parties through written proposals and oral presentations.
  9. Direct team activities, establishing task priorities, scheduling and tracking work assignments, providing guidance, and ensuring the availability of resources.
  10. Perform managerial duties such as hiring and training employees and overseeing facility needs or requirements.
  11. Collaborate with other departments as necessary to meet customer requirements, to take advantage of sales opportunities or, in the case of shortages, to minimize negative impacts on a business.
  12. Report project plans, progress, and results.
  13. Protect and control proprietary materials.
  14. Stay informed of logistics technology advances and apply appropriate technology to improve logistics processes.
  15. Develop and implement technical project management tools, such as plans, schedules, and responsibility and compliance matrices.
  16. Provide project management services, including the provision and analysis of technical data.
  17. Manage the logistical aspects of product life cycles, including coordination or provisioning of samples, and the minimization of obsolescence.
  18. Perform system lifecycle cost analysis and develop component studies.
  19. Plan, organize, and execute logistics support activities, such as maintenance planning, repair analysis, and test equipment recommendations.
  20. Participate in the assessment and review of design alternatives and design change proposal impacts.
  21. Direct and support the compilation and analysis of technical source data necessary for product development.
  22. Support the development of training materials and technical manuals.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
75%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
8%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
8%
Some College Courses
8%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Dynamics
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Project
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Microsoft SharePoint
  • Microsoft Visio
  • Microsoft Word
  • Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management
  • SAP software
  • Structured query language SQL

Software (29)

  • Customer relationship management CRM software
  • Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu
  • IBM Power Systems software
  • Oracle E-Business Suite
  • Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne
  • Order management software
  • Purchasing software
  • Radio frequency identification RFID software
  • RedPrairie E2e
  • SmugMug Flickr
  • Warehouse management system WMS
  • Web browser software

Tools & Equipment (9)

  • Desktop computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Liquid crystal display LCD video projectors
  • Personal computer platforms
  • Personal computers
  • Teradyne Catalyst
  • Teradyne J750 testers
  • Universal serial bus USB flash drives
  • Workstation platforms

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Planning & Logistics Advanced Manufacturing

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