Logistics Managers are responsible for making sure our goods and resources travel smoothly from the supplier to the customer. They oversee the organisation, storage, distribution and transport of goods in order to keep costs down and operations running efficiently.
If you are a problem-solving expert, have excellent time management skills, and can think quickly on your feet, this could be an ideal career for you.
About you:
- Excellent communicator
- Thorough planner
- Critical thinker
- Time management expert
- Organised and efficient
- Great leader
- Can work well under pressure
- Fantastic problem solver
The job:
- Monitoring the purchasing, storage and supply of goods and materials
- Negotiating contracts with suppliers and other stakeholders
- Keeping thorough records of stock levels
- Tracking the movement of goods and supplies after they are sent
- Developing systems to keep the flow of goods running smoothly
- Liaising with suppliers, staff and customers to ensure smooth processing of items
- Directing and managing other staff, such as warehouse workers
- Monitoring and reviewing storage and inventory systems
Lifestyle Impact: Moderate
- Part Time opportunities: Very low – only around 6% of Logistics Managers work part-time (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- Average hours for full-time workers: 48 hours a week, which is above average (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- Logistics Managers’ salary (average) $110,000* per year (source: seek.com.au). *Salaries vary depending on your skills and experience.
- Future career growth: Strong (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au).
- You will be spending most of your time indoors, such as in offices or warehouses.
Logistics Managers are most in demand in these locations:
This is a large occupation, with around 24,500 people working as Logistics Managers in 2020 (source: labourmarketinsights.gov.au), with strong growth expected over the next five years. Demand for Logistics Managers is highest in New South Wales and Victoria. Most Logistics Managers work in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing, and Manufacturing industries.
Your role as a Logistics Manager might vary depending on the type of goods and materials you are in charge of managing. For example, perishable goods such as food and drink require specialised storage and much stricter deadlines than things like clothing, etc.
How to become a Logistics Manager in Australia
Although formal qualifications aren’t a strict requirement, they can greatly boost your skills and employability, and you’ll likely need extensive work experience without one.
Step 1 – If you’re in Year 9 or 10, try and find work experience in the warehousing or transport industry.
Step 2 – Complete Year 12 with a strong focus on English and Maths.
Step 3 – Consider starting with a VET qualification such as a Diploma of Logistics. This can give you access to entry-level logistics jobs where you can start building your experience.
Step 4 – Build on your management skills with an undergraduate degree, such as a Bachelor of Business majoring in Logistics and Supply Chain Management.
Step 5 – Explore your possibilities working with all kinds of goods, including food and drink, machinery, clothing, raw materials, and more.
Find out more here –
https://womeninsupplychain.com.au
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Truck Driver
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Project Officer
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Find out more about alternative careers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What do Logistics Managers do?
Logistics Managers help supply chains run smoothly and keep costs down by overseeing the sourcing, storage, and distribution of a wide variety of goods and materials.
Which industries employ Logistics Managers?
Logistics Managers are usually employed in the Transport, Postal and Warehousing, and Manufacturing industries
What options are there for career progression?
You might start out working for a relatively small company, to managing the supply and distribution of goods around the world.
Do I need to go to university to become a Logistics Manager?
Not necessarily, but without a qualification you will need lots of practical, hands-on experience to work your way into management positions.
Where do Logistics Managers work?
Logistics Managers are needed all across Australia, particularly in New South Wales and Victoria. They mostly work indoors, in offices and warehouses, as well as having the opportunity for travel.
What are 3 things I can do right now to help me become a Logistics Manager?
If you’re in high school and you’d like to find out if a career as a Logistics Manager is right for you, here’s a few things you could do right now:
- Get work experience in warehousing or transport. This is a great way to get experience in the industry and find out if this might be the right job for you.
- Volunteer in your school or community to start building essential skills, such as communication, organisation and problem solving. These skills look great on your resume for any job.
- See if you can talk to someone who works in logistics or supply chain management to get an idea of what a day in their life is like.