Logistics Analyst

As a Logistics Analyst, you are a key player in getting raw materials and finished products from here to there. Using information about shipping options and storage requirements, you make analyses that companies use to create policies and transportation procedures. You do that by studying research data, utilizing computer software programs, and developing reports for management.

You peddle a lot of information as a Logistics Analyst. Take, for example, a retail chain. Say they have four warehouses and 50 stores. Your job as the Logistics Analyst is to identify the most cost- and time-efficient way to use shipping and storage resources for the company. How often do deliveries need to arrive? Daily, weekly, monthly? What costs are involved in trucking materials from the warehouse to the store? Would it be more efficient to relocate one of the warehouses? These are just a few of the questions that you process information about.

In addition to logistics in retail establishments, you might work with the transfer of information, dangerous chemicals, large products like airplanes, or products that involve special considerations, such as those that require refrigeration. Overall, you are concerned with efficiency, costs, and timing of deliveries.

If you enjoy this position, there are other jobs in the industry that you could work into. With some experience under your belt, you could advance to the position of Logistics Manager. Throw in some additional education and you could become a Logistics Engineer. Wherever you work, you’ll need a passion for problem-solving, knowledge of computer software programs, and effective communication skills.