What's it like to be a Logistics Manager in Australia?

Sunday 29 January 2023
Logistics and supply chain management involves managing the flow of goods and services from the point of supply origin to the customer - a very important process for many businesses in today's environment. It encompasses warehousing, monitoring inventory, purchasing, transport and distribution.
What's it like to be a Logistics Manager in Australia?

Logistics Managers are responsible for the smooth flow of resources by overseeing the organisation, planning, distribution and transport of goods and products for businesses and organisations.

Tasks and duties are:

  • Coordination of production schedules, storage and arranging the shipping of particular products and items
  • Manage the flow of goods and services from point of origin to customer
  • Develop processes and systems within the organisation to ensure purchases and distribution activities are scheduled and tracked properly
  • Liaision with clients, suppliers and staff to ensure stock supplies are recorded, ordered and the delivery schedule is maintained.

Logistics Managers are professionals who ensure that the supply chain runs smoothly through their experience in sourcing, transportation, storage, production and distribution.

Valuable skills for Logistics Managers include excellent communication, high degree of planning and organisational skills, and leadership abilities for overseeing staff.

Logistics Managers specialise in the management of complex systems for global product and service supply in both the digital and physical marketplaces.

How do you become qualified as a Logistics Manager?

To work as a Logistics Manager in Australia, you need to gain knowledge in operations, warehousing, inventory, purchasing, transport and distribution.

  1. To become a Logistics Manager in Australia employers prefer individuals with a tertiary qualification in Logistics, such as a Bachelor of Business (Logistics and Supply Chain Management);
  2. Or if you already have a Bachelor degree you can study a Master of Management (Supply Chain Management).

A Bachelor degree in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is normally 3 years in duration and a Masters in Logistics and Supply Chain Management is 2 years in duration.

What are the job opportunities in Logistics and Supply Chain Management like in Australia at the moment?

For international students who would like to stay on in Australia under the Post Study Work Visa scheme after graduating the job opportunities in Logistics are very good.

There are currently over 2,000 Logistics Manager jobs advertised on SEEK in Australia at the moment with the projected job growth over the next 5 years of 2.7% and average salary of $100,000 per year.

What are the good things about working as a Logistics Manager in Australia?

The work is quite varied and can be challenging at times with no two days ever the same.  With a good team the work flow can be very smooth. You would be liaising with a wide variety of people and organisations, so it’s excellent for people that enjoy a lot on interaction.

What about the challenges?

There has been a lot of disruptions in the Supply Chain over the previous few years which can cause stressful situations when customers want their goods in a given timeframe. So it can get really busy at certain times of the day with issues that need to be dealt with immediately.

What are the other job opportunities in Logistics?

The entry level roles in Logistics is at the Officer or Assistant level.

A Logistics Officer organises the storage, dispatch and receipt of goods, typically in a warehouse or depot setting. They may work with domestically transported goods only, or in ports or airports facilitating the import and export of goods.

Tasks and duties are:

  • Updating inventory lists.
  • Receiving and dispatching goods and verifying movements of stock.
  • Checking purchase orders against stock levels.
  • Preparing delivery schedules.
  • Coordinating maintenance and repairs of storage facility.
  • Entering data into a database.
  • Maintaining optimal stock levels at minimum cost.
  • Ensuring OH&S protocols are followed in storage facility.
  • Calculating storage and clearance costs.
  • Managing incoming and outgoing invoices.

Logistics Officers are responsible for monitoring stock levels and overseeing the movement of incoming and outgoing goods. They are detail–focused and use computers to manage the inventory databases under their control. They usually work in a storage facility for transport and logistics organisations.

How do you become a Logistics Officer in Australia?

It’s recommended that you study at least a Diploma of Logistics to apply for a Logistics Officer job.

You can complete a VET qualification, such as a Certificate III in Supply Chain Operations or Diploma of Logistics.

The average salary for a Logistics Officer job at the moment is $70,000 per year.

Logistics Professional Bodies in Australia

Although Professional Accreditation isn’t a requirement to work in this area, after graduation you can join one of the Logistics Professional bodies in Australia.

These include:

The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, also known as CILT.

CILT is the leading professional body for professionals who work in supply chain, logistics and transport. CILT helps staff and organisations gain the knowledge and insights needed in the modern world where logistics and transport skills matter.

CILT Australia is part of a global professional network represented in over 40 countries with a membership of over 36,000. 

CILTA Membership gives you access to a unique range of benefits and unbeatable services designed to support you both personally and professionally throughout your career.

On joining CILT you will apply for a membership grade, dependent upon your education and experience.

Membership Grades provide important recognition of the skills and experience of members as they progress in their careers.

As a member of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, you automatically become part of an internationally-recognised network of professionals.

Another Australian Logistics Professional body is The Supply Chain & Logistics Association of Australia, also known as SCLAA.

SCLAA has over 4,500 members in Australia and it’s strategic purpose is to connect today’s supply chain professionals and partners to tomorrow’s growth opportunities to support the advancement of the logistics industry through collaboration, innovation, and success.

SCLAA offers industry leading professional development and education programs, networking events, corporate partnerships and support for its members.

The third Australian Logistics Professional Body is the Australasian Supply Chain Institute, also known as ASCI.

ASCI is the not-for-profit Professional Accreditation Body for Supply Chain Management in Australasia. 

ASCI enhances the status of supply chain management as a profession by improving the quality of the workforce, public trust and confidence with respect to compliance of relevant regulatory or legal requirements.

ASCI has developed a professional accreditation scheme to register Supply Chain Professionals, Practitioners and Associates. Professional registration under the ASCI Professorial Accreditation Scheme, provides recognition of competence through the confirmation and acknowledgement to the individual of career achievements against an industry-accepted, globally aligned set of standards.

So, if you’re looking to launch your career in Logistics and Supply Chain Management ask us at Study in Australia TV for advice on studying a Logistics program in Australia, we’ll help you to find the right program that suits you.

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