Hunter Campbell’s Supply Chain Excellence Series profiles roles within the Supply Chain job family, including jobs in demand, wages, and employment prospects.
In this article, the role of Logistics Coordinator is in the spotlight.
Purpose of the Role
Logistics Coordinators are a crucial position in the value chain; their purpose is to get the right product in the right quantity, in the right condition, and at the right time to the right customer. As you can see, there are lots of things to get right!
A Logistics Coordinator typically works for a logistics or freight forwarding company or within the company’s supply chain department with goods to move. They are responsible for coordinating how a product will get from the manufacturer to the consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product’s transportation — how it is acquired, distributed and delivered.
Logistics Coordinators create and manage logistics plans that are efficient and maximise customer satisfaction with the best price point/lead time. Logistics coordinators register, maintain shipment data like space availability, changes and weight. They resolve problems associated with transport to ensure goods arrive/are received.
Qualifications
A standard route is to gain tertiary qualifications with supply chain/operations or commerce discipline. From here, graduate rotation roles can be taken in larger organisations or the likes of a Supply Chain Coordinator or Logistics Coordinator role.
Those already working usually opt to study qualifications, such as a Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) from NZPICS. Gaining these qualifications demonstrates a commitment to higher learning that is acknowledged by many employers and will give candidates an additional edge.
We see candidates who work their way up to a job such as a Logistics Coordinator after working in the warehousing environment or an administration-based role.
NZPICS offers a course in which you can become Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution. This course provides a broad range of topics to equip you with the skills and tools necessary to effectively manage supply chain operations and logistics, transport management, and distribution processes.
Key Skills Required
Logistics Coordinators are required to be across an array of activities. They need to have competence in seeing and understanding bigger pictures. The below skills will help you succeed as a logistics coordinator:
- Technology savvy and detail orientated as record-keeping for the tracking in and around the movement of goods is essential
- High levels of organisation
- Solutions orientated, quick to troubleshoot and a good team player as there are many stakeholders to liaise with around the movements of goods
- The ability to think on your feet and be solutions-focused is becoming increasingly more important due to the ongoing disruption to international shipping
Career Prospects
There are several different types of businesses that require Logistics Coordinators. These include manufacturers, distributors, freight forwarders and 3PL providers. As a logistics coordinator, you work closely with people in the supply chain. You will work closely with Demand/Supply Planners and purchasing personal. As you work with these stakeholders, your understanding of their roles increases, and business opportunities can open up in these roles.
Recruitment Forecast
Logistics Coordinators need to be very agile in this current market. Many companies are having to rework how they can service demand. Many are having to change or find additional suppliers for their raw materials, which means Logistics Coordinators are having more suppliers and logistic movements to be across. Since COVID, the slow movement of goods has caused many issues for companies; therefore, good communicators and proactive solutions-focused personal are essential for these roles. A lot of companies will be focusing on data and digital transformations to stay ahead of competitors so hiring candidates with excellent technical skills will be an important part of hiring.
Salary Guide
This information is anecdotal and based on roles Hunter Campbell is currently recruiting or has previously recruited and relate to base salaries. They do not include any additional bonuses or benefits.
Salaries of Logistics Coordinators vary depending on the level of experience and the responsibilities within a role. A Supply Chain Graduate or personal moving from a warehouse or administration-based role could expect a salary between $55,000 to $60,000. Once they gain experience and show promising signs of progression, they may take on further responsibility in their role, which would likely see them having more autonomy in decision making and moving to a salary between $60,000 to $70,000.
Advanced Logistics Coordinators may see themselves in larger and more complex logistics-based roles. An advance Logistics Coordinator could expect to see themselves having direct reports. These salaries will vary depending on the industry, company size and levels of responsibility.
If you would like to find out more about the role of a Logistics Coordinator, please contact consultant Nick McConnochie. Nick specialises in the recruitment of Supply Chain, Distribution and Logistics. For more news and views, visit our website by clicking here, see what opportunities we have available here or follow us on LinkedIn.
