Possibly you have never thought about the subject as an aid to career building as normally people at large are likely to equate the logistics with factories and couriers. Logistics is the art and science of managing and controlling the flow of goods, energy, information and other resources like products, services, and people, from the source of production to the marketplace. Thus it is still not one of the more visible employment areas students in India consider as they look ahead. But today and certainly in future logistics is and going to be an area of great importance to everyone. And it offers solid career possibilities.
Any marketing or manufacturing is blind without logistical support. The logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, material handling, and packaging. The operating responsibility of logistics is the geographical repositioning of raw materials, work in process, and finished inventories where required at the lowest cost possible.
Logistics as a business concept evolved only in the 1950s. This was mainly due to the increasing complexity of supplying one’s business with materials and shipping out products in an increasingly globalized supply chain, calling for experts in the field who are called Supply Chain managers. Summarizing it is to ensure the right item in the right quantity at the right time at the right place for the right price. Thus it needs to integrate functions of all industry sectors. The goal of logistic work is to manage the fruition of project life cycles, supply chains and resultant efficiencies.
In business, logistics may have either internal focus (inbound logistics), or external focus (outbound logistics) covering the flow and storage of materials from point of origin to point of consumption. The main functions of a logistics manager include inventory management, purchasing, transport, warehousing, and the organizing and planning of these activities. There are two fundamentally different forms of logistics. One optimizes a steady flow of material through a network of transport links and storage nodes. The other coordinates a sequence of resources to carry out some project.
Today the Ports & terminals as well as the airports have become the intermodal nodes thus acting as catalyst and also as network managers to the entire Supply Chain. The people involved with logistics need to have a clear idea of the processes and work in tandem to achieve the best of results.
BUILDING A CAREER
As a logistician, employment seekers are likely to find job in small – medium -large size enterprises or public bodies like
- Manufacturer exporters
- Importers
- Haulage Companies
- Large transport companies
- Shipping Agencies
- Custom House Brokers
- Shipping Companies
- Logistics Service Provider
- Freight forwarders
- Ports & ancillary service provides
Learning by doing is an essential part of building a career in logistics. But after starting in a specific functional area, you could well find yourself working on an assignment which demands critical analytical skills and the ability to strategize.
Your learning curve should never peak. Career development not only involves in-house training but should take care of specialized courses designed to provide latest trends and management techniques associated with logistics. Looking at the newer opportunities opening up you is sure to study for a professional qualification in logistics and then take it forward towards excellence.
FUTURE OF LOGISTICS
The globalization has impacted all industries to connect sources of supply with their markets and provides a range of business support services, research, education and facilities to add value to the industry through efficiencies and innovation in the management of logistics.
The liberalization of Indian economy has led to a great demand for Logistics services. New companies formed by Indian entrepreneurs are taking advantage of government policies designed to promote greater efficiencies in a sector where large global businesses are yet to make their mark.
Logistics is a management process that lies at the heart of all organizations. Logistics management is a relatively new occupational area that has emerged within the past two decades, though its roots lie in military strategy. Although not as familiar as production, marketing, or finance, for a well-run company logistics is a key function, enabling it to get its products to market
To be a Logistician, one should:
- Have good spoken and written communication skills
- Have good numerical skills
- Work accurately and pay attention to detail
- Have computer skills
- Be able to prioritize your work
- Be diplomatic
- Be good in geography
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