Large logistics environments are very high-tech environments, with robots and people working together to fulfil orders accurately and as quickly as possible. Every manufacturer has a logistics department, both to bring components or ingredients to their sites and to distribute finished products. Logistics teams are relied upon to keep businesses and manufacturing processes running smoothly.
Logistics Technician
Managing the systems and software involved in processing commercial orders, as well as fulfilling delivery requests
How this role makes a difference
With the massive growth of the internet and online shopping, we’re all familiar with deliveries arriving at our door, sometimes only hours after we’ve ordered them. Of course, goods and produce have been delivered all over the world for hundreds of years, but the difference today is the speed with which this happens and the volume of goods being distributed.
A logistics technician is responsible for overseeing the automated systems involved in processing, selecting, packing, distributing and tracking items. They create streamlined processes that make distribution more efficient and help to minimise environmental impacts. You could be the technician who makes sure deliveries reach their destination and who reduces carbon emissions in the process.
The kind of work you’ll do
- Create and manage processes to ensure the efficient receipt and distribution of goods
- Monitoring how processes are working to ensure the right amount of stock is maintained
- Checking inventory
- Maintaining certain machines, troubleshooting errors, and fixing sensors
- Maintaining and analysing logistics records
- Providing data reports on the speed, cost and accuracy of deliveries
- Coordinating with warehouse and depot managers
What you can bring to the role
Future career opportunities
You could begin your career in a logistics company that supports other businesses, or start in the logistics team of a big manufacturer with sites all over the world.
Once you’ve learned your trade, you could become responsible for a wider geographical area and the distribution of more goods. Or you could progress to leading a team and designing the systems that improve processes and efficiency.
How to get into this role
There’s no perfect career path or ideal way into your dream job.
But if you’re interested in education and training options that could be relevant to this role, you might want to consider:
- An apprenticeship as a Transport and Warehouse Operations Supervisor after finishing school or college
- You could start your career with a lower level apprenticeship as an Express Delivery Sortation Hub Operative after finishing your GCSEs
Schools and colleges each have their own career guidance plan and can provide detailed information, advice, and guidance on options and next steps.