Logistics as a Career option

Ranjan K Baruah

Many of us are fond of online shopping these days. It gives value for money as the consumers gets goods at discounted rates. As a consumer, we buy or order our preferred item online and then pay at the time of delivery or someone also make online payments. I am not talking about payment here but we get the item that we order within a few days depending upon the city. There are people who are responsible to make sure that things reach the customer on time. I have mentioned this to make one word familiar about which I am going to write in today’s edition of our career section. Well, I am talking about logistics.

Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics is the management of the flow of things between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet requirements of customers or corporations. The resources managed in logistics can include physical items such as food, materials, animals, equipment, and liquids, as well as abstract items, such as time and information. The logistics of physical items usually involves the integration of information flow, material handling, production, packaging, inventory, transportation, warehousing, and often security.

Logistics management is the part of supply chain management that plans, implements, and controls the efficient, effective forward, and reverses flow and storage of goods, services, and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customer's requirements. The complexity of logistics can be modeled, analyzed, visualized, and optimized by dedicated simulation software. The minimization of the use of resources is a common motivation in all logistics fields. A professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician.

Logistician focuses on planning and forecasting, purchasing, assembling the product, moving, storing and keeping track of a product as it flows toward you and other consumers. A logistic manager is responsible for collaborating with the other officers of the company such as purchasing officers, transport and warehouse managers, to ensure that the goods produced by the company are received in the company's depot on time.

The annual logistics cost in India is valued at Rs. 6,750 billion (US$ 135 billion) and it is growing at 8-10% annually. Logistics cost by value accounts for around 13% of the GDP of India – this is much higher than that in the US (9%), Europe (10%) and Japan (11%) but lower than that in countries such as China (18%) and Thailand (16%). In particular, the percentage-wise share of transport cost (an important constituent of total logistic cost incurred by a nation) by value of GDP has been steadily increasing. Transportation, Warehousing and Courier / Express sub-sector in India is dominated by the unorganised segment (small truck owning companies linked to intermediate brokers or transport companies, small warehouse operators, shop-cum-courier pick-up points, custom brokers, freight forwarders, etc.); the organised segment accounts for less than 10% of the total logistics market in India. From the current statistics in the country we can imagine the prospect in this sector.

Logistics is one of the most important career fields in the world. Given the services performed by logisticians, the main fields of logistics can be bro as follows: Procurement logistics, Distribution logistics, After-sales logistics, Disposal logistics, Reverse logistics, Green logistics, Global logistics, Domestics logistics, Concierge Service, Asset Control Logistics, POS Material Logistics, Emergency Logistics, Production Logistics, Construction Logistics, etc.

Several educational institutions in India are imparting courses in Logistics. These courses are offered generally in part-time mode, at the diploma, certificate, postgraduate degree and post graduate diploma levels. Some courses offered includes Advance Diploma in Logistics Management, Advanced Diploma in Logistics and Shipping, Advanced Certificate in Supply Chain Management, Certificate course in Supply Chain Management, Diploma in Logistics and Shipping, Diploma in Logistics and Transport, Diploma in Retail Supply Chain Management, Post Graduate Diploma in Logistics Management (P.G.D.L.M), there are degree and post graduate degree specialized on logistics or supply chain management.

Logistics is a huge field with tremendous opportunities for talented and energetic future managers in India as well as abroad. Logistics Management Courses have gained importance after the formation of courier companies, and freight and forwarding agents across countries and cities.

Cargo handlers and shipping companies are always in need of candidates with professional degree in Logistics. Logistics management graduates have openings as warehouse supervisor, shipping coordinator, operations manager, export sales coordinator, export executive, logistics coordinator, expeditor, etc. Globalization has bought new opportunities for individuals who are dreaming or planning to take logistics as their career choice.

Some might excel without degree or diplomas related to logistics for which s/he needs skill and experiences. Now there are opportunities in the country and also abroad. One may plan accordingly and move ahead in life. As we have seen there is a boom in the online shopping so, more expertise would be needed in the field of logistics. One may plan and chose well according to the demands of the market. Careers in logistics are expected to grow faster than normal over the next 10 years.

(Ranjan K Baruah is a social activist and career mentor who has conducted career awareness programme in different parts of Assam and North East and can be reached at bkranjan@gmail.com or 8473943734 for any career related queries.)