Employees in logistics jobs manage the flow of materials within a company or organization. Those in logistics jobs are involved in the overall integration of information, inventory, material handling, packaging, transportation and warehousing. There are various types of logistics jobs that exist, including logistic managers, logistic engineers, logistic analysts, logisticians and logistics coordinators. Logistics jobs also include transportation managers; storage and distribution managers; production, planning and expediting clerks; and shipping, receiving and travel clerks.
A logistics manager oversees a company's distribution, forecasting, planning services and warehousing. These employees manage employees in lower-level logistics jobs. Logistics managers also plan and direct logistics systems, and they are in charge of day-to-day logistics operations.
Logistics engineers design and analyze logistical processes and come up with solutions for projects. For example, a logistics engineer might evaluate and analyze the overall effectiveness of a company’s current logistical processes. He or she might then provide feedback to logistics managers or other company leaders.
A logistical analyst evaluates the supply chain processes to identify any changes that would be beneficial to the company. These employees might also be in charge of route activity, such as electronic bills, invoicing and tracking shipments. A logistician analyzes and arranges the logistical functions of an organization. He or she essentially is responsible for the life cycle of a company’s product from start to finish, beginning with the product's acquisition and ending with the final disposal of resources.
A logistics coordinator helps route and expedite movement of shipments in shipping docks and airline, train and truck terminals. These workers take directions from customers and help arrange the pick-up of shipments for delivery to the loading platform. A transportation manager is in charge of planning, directing and arranging the transportation within an organization. These employees might also be responsible for the activities of a company that offers services in the transportation industry. Storage and distribution managers oversee operations involving storage and distribution within a company.
Production, planning and expediting clerks gather and expedite the movement of materials and work between different areas within a company while adhering to the production schedule. These clerks might also evaluate work, production and shipment schedules. Shipping, receiving and traffic clerks verify the records of shipments, both incoming and outgoing. Clerks might also prepare items that are eventually going to be shipped and might arrange, address, stamp and ship materials themselves.