Career: Logistics Industry

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  mskeggs on 02/02/2017 - 15:00

  +3

  You colleagues would be a good source of this information.
  What do they say?

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  Wampus on 02/02/2017 - 15:32

  +1

  RMIT have an excellent logistics degree, I believe it's available for study through Open Learning as well which might fit better if you're already working full time.

  It's quite well paid and quite sought after because not many people elect to go to degree level in logistics, but there's a lot of money in the industry.

  I would only suggest a certificate or diploma if you weren't sure whether you liked logistics or not. As you already work in the field and you obviously enjoy it enough to contemplate making a proper career out of it, I'd definitely look into the degree course.

  Source: Friend in logistics field / thought about it as a career before I entered I.T.

  • 

    dasher86 on 02/02/2017 - 17:11

    +1 for RMIT - i completed part of the logistics course as part of my bachelors degree.

    At the moment the wages in the logistics industry aren't that great.
    There are many market pressures forcing margins of traditional logistic companies down.

    In saying that industry is going change once companies catch up with the tech space that the uber platform created.

    'Logistics' is huge area so it's hard to comment specifically on how easy it will be to get a job.

  • 

    ptl93 on 07/02/2017 - 13:29

    Hi Wampus,

    Thanks for the reply. I have a bachelor degree in business(accounting) already. Do you think I should study the master degree?

    • 

      Wampus on 07/02/2017 - 13:51

      Call RMIT and ask for some more information from that department, there might be something as simple as a grad year. A Masters would be much more beneficial than another bachelor qual though

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  [Deactivated] on 02/02/2017 - 16:56

  I have a diploma in transport and logistics and currently work in finance.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 02/02/2017 - 19:20

    currently work in finance.

    Is it as depressing and boring as it sounds to have a job in finance?

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 02/02/2017 - 19:32

      YUP!
      thank god the team im in is social, but everyone else is a zombie

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  vtdin1 on 07/02/2017 - 11:08

  Hey ptl93,

  it depends on where you want to go in the Supply Chain industry.

  Some more clarification would be appreciated before giving you a more informed answer on :)

  Such as, are after a role in Operations? Analytics? Administrative? Projects? Commercial? Consultancy? IT? Continuous Improvement (CI)? Safety? And etc… Even then, what type of role are you after?

  As for status and demand of the industry, sorta depends on which facet you would like to be in from Retail, 3PL (3rd Party Logistics), Consultancy, International Logistics and etc.

  Ease and pay… once again, depends on the role you are after.

  Apologies for the lack of firm and hard answers… I just need some more details :)

  Btw, I have a Bachelors Degree in Engineering (Industrial) and have been working in Supply Chain for nearly 10 years at present. Not quite the grizzled veteran but not a wet behind the ears kid :P

  • 

    ptl93 on 07/02/2017 - 13:29

    Hi vtdin1,

    Thanks for the reply.
    I would be after any role that you can work in the office (but most likely analytics, administrative, projects. I am currently a transport admin myself but my goal is to become a transport or supply chain manager.
    I don't mind any facet but would favour importing and exporting.
    I have a bachelor of business (accounting) already but I am looking to study further into Logistics. I am unsure if I should undertake a diploma, certificate, bachelor or master course.

    • 

      vtdin1 on 07/02/2017 - 17:04

      +1

      Thanks for that :)!

      In general, people with a strong experience in their chosen field are favoured more than those with an academic background, especially for the middle to senior roles.

      But in saying all that, to get your foot in the door, knowing people because you have worked with them in a previous project/company and/or having an exceptional reputation as a competent operator goes further for middle to senior roles (all the more to never burn bridges! As Supply Chain is a small world in Australia!). To keep you in the role, academics seem to have limited significance. A high EI/EQ paired with a strong operational knowledge & experience in your chosen field goes a long way.

      If you are just starting out (i.e. fresh out of uni or mid-20s) and looking at a junior role, academic qualifications come in handy to get you in the door and close the deal. Your Bachelors Degree in Business (Accounting) should be more than enough.

      To the specifics…

      I'm guessing when mentioning importing and exporting it is in the context of International logistics. Unfortunately, i don't have much knowledge about that particular industry (i'm more versed in Domestic logistics).

      If the endgame is to become a Transport/Supply Chain (SC) Manager I would strongly suggest trying to move into the Operations space.

      From what i've seen in the industry so far, such roles are usually favoured by people with a strong operational background. If the intent is to become a GM of SC (or higher) a Masters in Supply Chain Management should open those doors, however, i think actual operational experience should get you up to National and possibly further (depending on industry).

      However, if the intent is to stick to a Support role (i see Support as Analytics, Admin, Projects and etc in the context of Retail and 3PLs), you'll be looking at (end game)
      - Commercial Manager,
      - Account Manager,
      - Business Development Manager,
      - Program Manager,
      - Inventory Manager,
      - Continuous Improvement Manager and etc.

      For such roles, i think your degree in Business (Accounting) paired with relevant experience should suffice.

      Regarding status and demand in the Supply Chain industry… i've found that there is usually more demand on the Eastern states, in particular Melbourne (Western and Northern suburbs) and Sydney (Western suburbs). With Amazon entering the market later this year, things might get a bit tougher for those working in Supply Chain for the Retail industry, but may also present an opportunity (i believe they were looking in Dec. 2016-Jan. 2017 in Sydney). 3PLs and consultancy firms are always on the lookout for competent operators.

      In terms of competition (for middle to senior roles), it can be tough as jobs are usually filled before even going to market.

      To get you started some skills that may assist you are
      - Analytics: usually means extracting a shit load of data and shaping it into something that makes sense for someone/project/business case/curiosity. Some useful skills… Statistical Analysis, Algebra, MS Excel (for "light" analysis using pivot tables, lookups, logic statements and etc), SQL (or alternative/s especially when crunching massive amounts of data!), public speaking (well… confidently convey your findings) and etc (more emphasis on "hard" skills)

      • Projects: usually means being an project administrator/manager. Some useful skills… MS Project (or alternative/s like Smartsheets), Project Management methodologies (e.g. AGILE), public speaking, good EQ/EI, take-no shit attitude (sorta) and etc (more emphasis on "soft" skills)

      • Administrative: usually means "Business as Usual" (BAU)/"Day In Day Out" (DIDO) work for me, so usually involves MS Excel and WMS reporting/querying/investigation/processing

      Remuneration is all relative to which area you are in and industry. For example, as an analyst in a Support role, i've had offers of
      - $100k-$110k (including Super) from a 3PL provider,
      - $100k-$110k (including Super plus car, petrol and phone) from a 3PL provider,
      - and $150k-$160k (including Super) from a consultancy firm.

      Hit me up if you have any other questions :)

      • 

        ptl93 on 08/02/2017 - 14:45

        Thanks for your reply. Would it be possible if you can inbox me your email address?

      • 

        vtdin1 on 08/02/2017 - 16:30

        @ptl93: Seems like i can't send you a PM… is the function enabled on your end?

      • 

        ptl93 on 08/02/2017 - 16:48

        @vtdin1: i have enable it

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  ptl93 on 07/02/2017 - 13:27

  Thank you all.