Logistician
Logistician Definition: Analyze and coordinate the logistical functions of an organization, overseeing the entire life cycle of a product—including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, and final disposal of resources.
Responsibilities
- Provide project‑management services and analyze technical data.
- Redesign the movement of goods to maximize value and minimize costs.
- Collaborate with other departments to meet customer requirements and seize sales opportunities.
- Direct the availability and allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products.
- Plan, organize, and execute logistics‑support activities such as maintenance planning, repair analysis, and equipment recommendations.
- Manage subcontractor activities, review proposals, develop performance specifications, and serve as liaison between subcontractors and the organization.
Key Skills
- Critical Thinking: Use logic to evaluate alternative solutions.
- Monitoring: Assess performance of people or processes and recommend improvements.
- Active Listening: Fully comprehend others’ viewpoints and ask clarifying questions.
- Reading Comprehension: Understand written documents related to work.
- Speaking: Convey information effectively to colleagues.
- Coordination: Harmonize actions with others to achieve common goals.
Other Job Titles
- Logistics Supervisor
- Supply Planner
- Logistics Team Member
- Supervisory Supply Management Specialist
- Manufacturing Planner
Job Demand
In 2016, there were approximately 148,700 logistics jobs in the U.S. with a projected growth of 6.9%—above the national average—anticipating 10,300 new positions by 2026.
Salary
Annual salaries range from about $44,440 to $119,950, with the highest average pay found in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Alabama.
Tools & Technology
- Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access
- Microsoft Project, SharePoint, Visio
- Microsoft Dynamics, SQL Server, Structured Query Language (SQL)
- SAP, Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne, Oracle Primavera, IBM Cognos Impromptu
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) software