Logistics Coordinator - Career Guide

The duties of a logistics coordinator revolve around managing and optimizing the supply chain of the company they work for. Like a conductor of a symphony orchestra, they keep a watchful eye on the flow of goods, from suppliers to final delivery.

Here are the main duties of this job:

• Checking the contents and rate of goods entering the warehouse (quantity of products in stock compared to outgoing flows, quality control, etc.)
• Defining and implementing a storage method adapted to the nature of the products (space optimization, packaging, classification by date, etc.)
• Planning and managing transport (receipt, shipping, delivery, etc.)
• Coordinate the various internal and external parties involved in inventory management.
• Ensure compliance with regulations relating to product handling.
• Propose areas for improvement in the supply chain or distribution.
• In the event of unforeseen circumstances or malfunctions in logistics operations, propose solutions and manage disputes.

• In industries across the board

All industries require the expertise of logistics specialists to manage their supply chains. This means that logistics specialists have the opportunity to work in a variety of sectors, including retail, transportation, agri-food, energy, chemicals, healthcare, and automotive.

They work closely with internal production departments, external suppliers, and transportation teams. In large organizations, they are often managers and supervise more than a hundred employees (warehouse workers, forklift operators, transporters, delivery drivers, etc.).

• Both in the field and in the office

Their daily routine involves a lot of travel, both in the field monitoring the flow of goods and in the office in front of their computer screens. Logistics transport has become significantly more digitalized: data is digitized, and logistics specialists use office tools and software on a daily basis. These tools optimize data management, facilitate the traceability of goods, and simplify overall organization.

• Focus on safety

Finally, this expert works every day to ensure the safety of employees. They make sure that storage and handling conditions are safe. To do this, they are in constant contact with the company’s QHSE (Quality, Health, Safety, Environment) manager.

There are many different types of training programmes that lead to a career in logistics, ranging from two-year to five-year programmes at business schools, engineering schools or universities. Although it is possible to find employment with a two-year technical degree in transport and logistics management, this type of training is quite limiting when it comes to entering the job market.

For management positions in large companies, recruiters value candidates with a five-year degree.

Following a two- or three-year degree, several master’s programmes open the way to a career as a logistics manager, such as the master’s degree in Production Management, Logistics and Purchasing.

MSc (Master of Science) programmes are also popular due to their international dimension and the managerial skills they impart.

For a comprehensive and recognised programme, ISC Paris has designed a MSc Supply Chain Management degree. Available on the Paris and Orléans campuses as a full-time or work-study programme, it is taught entirely in English for rapid professional integration in France and abroad.

The expertise of a logistics specialist enables them to perform the duties of a specialised project manager. They are then responsible for overseeing and optimising the company’s logistics processes, with a focus on continuous improvement of the supply chain. They may be required to manage an expansion or the opening of a new warehouse.

A supply chain director is a senior management position responsible for coordinating the various teams involved in handling a company’s raw materials or products. They are also responsible for defining the logistics strategy to be adopted and ensuring that the necessary actions are implemented.

A senior logistics specialist may choose to set up their own business by becoming an independent consultant. After an analysis phase, they advise companies on improvements to be made for more efficient transport flows, regardless of the sector of activity.