Logistics Planner Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a logistics planner. You can use our job description template in this article to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a logistics planner.
Who is a Logistics Planner?
The logistics planner is involved in the detailed planning, coordination, and operation of a complex organization involving a large number of personnel, equipment, materials, locations, or facilities. He or she is often responsible for transportation, inventory, warehousing, handling, and information integration. This position may also require excellent communication skills with people outside the organization, the ability to solve problems, the ability to use various computer programs, and experience with inventory and distribution systems. The Logistics Planner is also responsible for minimizing the negative impact of shortages or service interruptions on the business. This job is usually in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, so people who work as Logistics Planners are likely to have a high level of attention to detail, be self-motivated, and have a strong sense of urgency to get things done.
One of the main roles of a logistics planner is to ensure that shipping instructions are followed. This is especially true for large organizations that ship thousands of goods around the world every day. It is the responsibility of the logistics planner to ensure that all goods are shipped on time to the right locations and that all goods are received in good condition. A careless logistics planner who does not keep track of shipping functions may not know that products or goods are missing from the company until it is too late to do anything about the loss. Communicating and recording this information accurately requires excellent organizational and communication skills, especially when dealing with international companies and shipping companies where language may present some communication difficulties.
Managing and updating the latest stocks requires management skills and basic knowledge of warehousing systems. Logistics planners must also be able to coordinate and maintain accurate inventory records. In this part of the job, logistics planners may make production or business forecasts based on known information in a particular industry or sector. Experienced logistics planners can use statistical and trend information combined with real-time production and inventory systems to ensure that the entire process – from production to final distribution and delivery – runs smoothly. When shortages or equipment failures occur, the logistics planner must have a contingency plan to help minimize the damage or negative effects of these shortages.
Optimizing distribution systems for rapid delivery of products to ensure better customer service is another important responsibility of the logistics planner. Knowledge of supply chain planning and coordination concepts, combined with basic accounting and inventory planning skills, is also required. Skills required for this part of the job include a working knowledge of order processing, warehousing, distribution, shipping, and transportation.
Logistics Planner Job Description
Below are the logistics planner job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a Logistics Planner include the following:
- Providing comprehensive daily reports and follow-up information to the customer service team.
- Performing benchmarking and providing monthly reports to management on the execution of data as planned.
- Recommending the most effective ways to meet transportation needs and procedures.
- Providing support for monthly carrier performance reports and performance monitoring.
- Evaluating and analyzing transport organizations to continuously improve capacity.
- Collecting dashboard indicators and convincing suppliers to make changes.
- Reviewing the effectiveness of alternative distribution processes for specific customers
- Identifying sensitive customers and interacting with carriers on specific customer requirements.
- Developing and submitting progress reports to improve and monitor the execution of logistics orders.
- Instructing carrier agents and monitoring the accuracy of transport actions and results.
- Coordinating and investigating with the customer’s representative logistics-related costs such as shortages, lost/damaged goods in transit, and missed deliveries.
- Determining the most cost-effective transportation procedures.
- Coordinating with transportation providers to ensure shipments are moved quickly and correctly.
- Responding to customer requests and routing them through the appropriate channels.
- Reviewing purchase orders and shipping documents for accuracy.
- Making special delivery arrangements, if required
- Tracking and correcting delivery errors
- Preparing invoices and delivery notes
- Managing allocation and distribution budgets
- Ensuring that all services provided meet the required standards
- Developing processes that improve the efficiency and organization of the supply chain.
Qualifications
Several qualifications are required for the position of Logistics Planner. These include:
Education
At least a high school diploma or GED is required to become a logistics planner. Some companies prefer an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, or business administration. Logistics planners may also obtain a certificate in logistics from a technical or community college.
Training and experience
Most logistics planners receive on-the-job training when they start a new position. This training allows the logistics planner to become familiar with the specific procedures and policies of a company. It can also help the planner learn the software and computer programs he or she needs to perform daily tasks.
Certification and licensing
Certification is not normally a requirement to become a logistics planner, but it can help you to have an edge over other candidates when applying for jobs.
Essential Skills
- Communication
Communication skill is important for logistics planners as they often work with groups of people who need to understand each other’s roles, responsibilities, and expectations. Strong communication skills will help you work more effectively with your team members and ensure that everyone understands the next steps in the project.
- Leadership skills
A logistics planner often works with a team of people to plan and execute the movement of goods from one location to another. This requires effective leadership skills, including the ability to delegate tasks, motivate others and manage time effectively. The Logistics Planner must also understand how to design and build an efficient distribution center capable of handling shipments quickly and accurately.
- Inventory management
Inventory management is the process of tracking and monitoring supply levels to ensure that sufficient materials are available for production. As a logistics planner, you may be responsible for forecasting demand and ordering supplies accordingly. You also need to monitor stocks throughout their life cycle to ensure that they are used efficiently.
- Transport management
Transport management skills are essential for logistics planners to ensure that goods arrive at their destination on time. This includes making arrangements with transport companies and dispatching a truck or other means of transport capable of carrying the cargo safely. It also includes tracking the location of the cargo, which many transport companies provide using GPS technology.
- Time management
Time management is the ability to plan and execute tasks in a way that ensures deadlines are met. For the logistics planner, time management skills are important because they allow operations to be scheduled in the supply chain, ensuring that products arrive at their destination on time. They also enable the monitoring of project progress so that the schedule can be adjusted if necessary.
- Organization
Organisation is the ability to track multiple tasks and resources. As a logistics planner, you may have to manage several projects simultaneously. It is therefore important to be able to prioritize and track all the details associated with each project. You also need an organized workspace where you can store files and folders for easy access when you need them.
- Project management
Project management skills are important for logistics planners as they often oversee the production of products and materials. This includes managing resources, planning tasks, and ensuring that all aspects of the project run smoothly. Strong project management skills can help you meet deadlines, reduce costs and increase productivity.
- Warehouse Operations
Experience in warehouse operations can help logistics planners understand the processes and procedures that take place during the movement of goods. This knowledge can be useful when developing logistics plans to determine how materials should be stored, where they should be shipped from, and what types of equipment may be needed at each stage of the process.
- Data analysis
Data analysis is the process of examining data to identify trends and patterns. As a logistics planner, you can use data analysis to determine the number of resources your company needs to meet customer orders or forecast future supply chain needs. Data analysis also includes assessing data security risks and ensuring that existing systems are fit for the required purpose.
- Attention to detail
Attention to detail is a skill that can help logistics planners ensure that they have all the information they need to create an effective supply chain. This includes knowing what each company needs in the supply chain, where materials are located, and how products are to be shipped. Attention to detail can also help logistics planners identify potential problems before they occur, so they can take steps to avoid them.
- Order fulfillment
Order fulfillment is the process by which a company receives and processes orders from its customers. As a logistics planner, you may be responsible for ensuring that your organization fulfills orders on time. This means knowing how to track incoming orders, monitor stock levels, and ensure that shipments are dispatched on time.
- Customer service
Customer service skills are important for logistics planners as they will help you understand your customers’ needs and how to meet them. Customer service skills include empathy, active listening, and the ability to communicate clearly with others. You can use your customer service skills when working with customers to create supply chain solutions that meet their needs.
- Supply chain management
Supply chain management is the process of managing a company’s supply and demand. It involves determining what materials are needed, where they come from, and how they will be delivered to customers. Supply chain managers use their logistics planning skills to create efficient systems to ensure that materials are delivered on time and in good condition.
- Analytical skills
Analytical skills are important skills for logistics planners, as they often use analytical thinking when creating supply chain management plans. They need to be able to evaluate different scenarios and predict how certain actions may affect the company’s operations.
- ERP systems
ERP systems are software that automates business processes. They can assist logistics planners by providing information on the status of supply and allowing them to track stock levels, production schedules, and other data related to supply chain management. Knowledge of ERP systems can also enable logistics planners to troubleshoot these systems in the event of problems.
How to Become a Logistics Planner
- Get a degree
To start a career as a logistics planner, a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or a related field is usually required to stay competitive with employers. Focus on developing industry skills during your studies so that you can be well-prepared when applying for entry-level positions and when applying for jobs. An apprenticeship in logistics planning may be necessary to obtain a Bachelor’s degree and to develop the skills needed in the workplace before entering the workforce.
- Choose a specialization in your field
As a logistics planner, you may have to choose a specialization in your field. Determine in which part of the logistics planning field you feel strongest, and continue to take active steps to develop your chosen specialization.
- Obtain an entry-level position as a logistics planner.
With a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, you will usually start your career as an entry-level logistics planner. Generally, you can become a logistics planner after completing a four-year bachelor’s degree in a related field. Depending on the logistics planner position you are applying for, you may need certification from a certified b-company.
- Advancing in a Logistics Planner Career
After entry level, there are several levels of career progression for a logistics planner. It may take two years of work as an entry-level logistics planner to advance to a senior logistics planner position. Moving up the career ladder to each advanced logistics planner position takes about two years of experience at each level. Additional training, such as a master’s degree in a related field, or special certifications may be required to advance a logistics planner’s career.
- Continuing education for a career as a logistics planner
Not all industries or companies require continuing education to advance your career as a logistics planner. However, obtaining this degree can help you move more quickly into a higher-paying position.
Where to Work as a Logistics Planner
Logistics planners work in a variety of locations, including manufacturing and distribution companies, and third-party logistics service providers. They generally work regular business hours, although they may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines or respond to unexpected changes in production schedules or customer demand.
Logistics Planner Salary Scale
The average annual salary of a Logistics Planner in the United States and Canada is $64,395 and $59,400 respectively. In the United Kingdom, the average annual salary of a Logistics Planner is £32,758.