What Logisticians Do

Logisticians analyze and coordinate an organization’s supply chain—the system that moves a product from supplier to consumer. They manage the entire life cycle of a product, which includes how a product is acquired, distributed, allocated, and delivered.

Duties

Logisticians typically do the following:

• Develop business relationships with suppliers and customers
• Work to understand customers’ needs and how to meet them
• Direct the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished products
• Design strategies to minimize the cost or time required to move goods
• Review the success of logistical functions and identify areas for improvement
• Present performance data to management
• Propose improvements to management and customers
• Stay current on advances in logistics technology and incorporate new technologies into procedures

Logisticians oversee activities including purchasing, shipping and transportation, inventory, warehousing, and delivery. They may direct the movement of a range of goods, people, or supplies, from common consumer goods to military supplies.

Logisticians use sophisticated software systems to plan and track the movement of goods. They operate software programs specifically tailored to manage logistical functions, such as procurement, inventory management, and other supply chain planning and management systems.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition