What is the Role of a Logistics Associate?

Jan 8, 2023

min read

Logistics employees are in charge of ensuring that goods and services flow smoothly throughout a firm. They collaborate with a range of departments to guarantee that everything, including raw supplies, finished products, and equipment, arrives on time.

Logistics associates usually have a thorough awareness of their company's supply chain. This enables them to uncover inefficiencies and chances for improvement across the board.

Logistics Associate Job Duties

A logistics associate typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

Monitoring inventory levels to ensure that incoming materials are used efficiently
Coordinating with other team members such as production managers and warehouse supervisors to ensure that orders are being processed correctly
Communicating with suppliers regarding product availability and price changes
Assisting with implementing new technology or other changes that could improve efficiency in the warehouse
Ensuring that all documentation for incoming and outgoing shipments is complete and accurate
Preparing purchase orders for inventory items from vendors
Coordinating activities between internal departments and external clients or vendors to ensure smooth delivery of products or services
Maintaining inventory records and ensuring that they are accurate
Reviewing bills of lading to ensure that shipments are properly labeled and insured

Logistics Associate Salary & Outlook

Logistics associate salaries vary depending on their level of education, years of experience, and the company they work for. They may also earn additional compensation in the form of bonuses.

Median Annual Salary: $47,000 ($22.6/hour)
Top 10% Annual Salary: $87,500 ($42.07/hour)

The employment of logistics associates is expected to grow much faster than average over the next decade.

Logistics specialists will be needed to organize and direct the shipment of goods around the country and around the world. In addition, e-commerce will continue to increase the demand for logistics specialists as companies seek ways to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Logistics Associate Job Requirements

A logistics associate typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: Logistics associates are typically required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in logistics, supply chain management, business administration or a related field. These programs teach students the fundamentals of supply chain management, including business strategy, inventory management, warehousing and distribution.

Training & Experience: Most logistics associates receive on-the-job training. This training may last for a few weeks to a few months and may include instruction on company policies and procedures, safety practices and how to use the company’s computer systems.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement to become a logistics associate, but they can help you become a more competitive candidate when applying for jobs.

Logistics Associate Skills

Logistics associates need the following skills in order to be successful:

Inventory management: Inventory management involves tracking the status of inventory and ordering new inventory when necessary. Inventory management skills are useful for logistics associates because they often work with inventory and order new inventory when necessary. For example, a logistics associate may track the status of a company’s inventory of a certain product and order more of that product when the company runs low.

Customer service: Customer service skills can help you interact with customers and provide them with the information they need. You can use customer service skills to answer customer questions, help them find products and complete transactions.

Data entry: Data entry is the ability to type information into a computer. This is a common skill for logistics associates, as most of the work you do will involve entering data into a computer. You may also need to enter data into a database or spreadsheet.

Communication: Communication skills are necessary in any job, and they’re especially important in a logistics associate role. You may be responsible for communicating with suppliers, customers and other members of your team. Effective communication can help you to understand and fulfill customer requests, resolve issues and develop strong relationships with your coworkers.

Problem-solving: When working in a warehouse, you may encounter challenges that require you to think of solutions. For example, you may notice a product is out of stock and need to find a replacement. Or you may notice a product is damaged and need to find a way to repair it. Being able to think of solutions to problems is an important skill for logistics associates to have.

Logistics Associate Work Environment

The work environment for a logistics associate is usually an office setting, although some travel may be required for meetings or to visit warehouses. Logistics associates typically work regular business hours, although they may be required to work overtime during busy periods. The job can be stressful, as logistics associates must often meet tight deadlines. They must also be able to work well under pressure and have excellent problem-solving skills.

Logistics Associate Trends

Here are three trends influencing how logistics associates work. Logistics associates will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

The Growth of the Online Marketplace

The online marketplace is growing rapidly, and this is having a significant impact on the logistics industry. As more and more people shop online, the demand for efficient shipping solutions will continue to grow.

Logistics associates can capitalize on this trend by becoming experts in online shipping solutions. This includes understanding how to use software tools that automate shipping processes, as well as knowing where to find the best deals on shipping services.

The Importance of Supply Chain Management

As businesses become more globalized, the importance of supply chain management has become increasingly evident. This means that logistic associates need to have a deep understanding of how to manage all aspects of the supply chain, from sourcing materials to shipping finished products.

In order to be successful in this field, logistic associates will need to be able to work with a wide range of partners and understand the needs of all parties involved. They will also need to be able to think strategically about how to optimize the supply chain to meet the needs of their company.

More Collaboration Between Logistics and Sales

As businesses become more complex, the role of the logistics associate is changing. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on collaboration between logistics and sales teams.

This trend is due to the fact that both teams are responsible for getting products to customers quickly and efficiently. By working together, they can create a more streamlined process that results in happier customers and better profits for the company.

How to Become a Logistics Associate

A logistics associate career can be a great way to start your career in the transportation industry. As a logistics associate, you’ll learn about all aspects of the shipping process, from receiving and processing orders to planning routes and managing shipments. This experience will give you a strong foundation in logistics and supply chain management, which is essential for any career in transportation.

To advance your career as a logistics associate, you can specialize in a particular area of the shipping process. For example, you could focus on warehousing and inventory management, or become a certified freight forwarder. You could also move into supervisory roles, such as warehouse manager or operations manager.

Advancement Prospects

There are many ways to advance in the field of logistics. One of the best is to get further education, which can lead to positions such as logistics manager or director. Other ways to advance include becoming a certified logistics professional or a certified supply chain professional. Experience and expertise are also important, so those who have been in the field for a while and have developed a strong knowledge base are more likely to be promoted to higher positions.