There are a huge variety of jobs in the field of logistics, from transport or supply chain management to engineers and warehouse staff. And while each role suits a particular type of person, there are plenty of skills that will serve you well across the board if you’re looking for a job in this area.

IT and tech

Technology plays a key role in the management of supply chain systems as well as transport planning. While you’re unlikely to be expected to get involved in programming or coding unless it is specifically required of your role, you may need to learn new software or interrogate data to help optimise the way the systems operate and ensure everything runs smoothly. So it pays to be relatively confident when it comes to finding your way with tech.

People skills

People skills are important in roles of all levels, whether you hold management responsibilities or not. Logistics relies on team working and making sure the right people are in the right place at the right time meaning that good communication skills are of particular value. In a fast-paced, often stressful environment it’s important to be able to get your message across succinctly, and to quickly build strong relationships with others. 

Leadership

With ever-changing legislation and working regulations, as well as a constant push to increase productivity and work more efficiently, getting buy-in from staff is vital. And it’s good leadership skills that will allow you to delegate effectively and ensure your team are motivated and achieving their potential. The ability to mentor and help ‘grow’ younger members of your team is another useful skill that can help to ensure the future success of the company. 

Problem-solving

In the world of logistics two days are rarely the same, from vehicle breakdowns to problems with supply or even the weather, you’ll need to think on your feet, establish the options available to you and then quickly decide on the most appropriate course of action. It might help to have a cool head under pressure too.

Project management

Skills in managing projects, including planning and budgeting, will be a big plus point if you’re looking for a career in this sector. Supply chain and logistics roles increasingly rely on cross-functional working, making it necessary to manage handovers between different teams and to coordinate work packages and keep track of deadlines.

Commercial awareness

We’ve mentioned before the changing nature of the logistics industry, just look at Amazon for an example of the speed at which delivery methods change. This is an industry that is constantly trying to keep up with the big players making it exciting, but challenging. If you want to be involved it helps to have an understanding of the complexities impacting companies in the sector and enough foresight to identify potential risks or threats to operations. 

Attention to detail

Logistics and supply chain systems can be incredibly complex, including numerous components. Working in logistics you may need to manage these multiple elements, making it important to pay attention to even the smallest of details to keep everything running as smoothly and efficiently as possible. One missing rung in the ladder can have a huge impact further down the chain.

If you’d like to find out more about the prospect of a career in logistics, give us a call on 01291 628888 (Chepstow) or 02920 263365 (Cardiff) or email us on info@nustaff.co.uk. We’ll be happy to talk to you about your skills and expertise to work out whether a job in this sector could be the right next move for you.