Trucking. What a logistician needs to know and be able to do
Logistics is a field that requires a high level of analytical skills. A logistician must be able to analyse data, forecast demand, determine the best routes and choose the best solutions for the company.
A logistician is an administrator, he must always know where the goods are. He thinks of ways and means of transport, from packing and loading in the warehouse to delivery to the customer. Experience and personal qualities are important in his work. In principle, he acts according to instructions, but in the event of a disruption in the work process (failure to meet deadlines, breakdown of transport, unfair work by suppliers or employees), the logistician must quickly find a way out of the situation.
A logistician is an organiser who must be able to plan and coordinate the work of all participants in the logistics chain. The logistician's job is to find a quality contractor who will ensure that the cargo is delivered in the required quantity and within the time frame specified in the contracts. He must be able to prioritise, allocate resources and control the execution of tasks. This requires an understanding of transport exchanges, market conditions and pricing.
A logistician is an administrator, he must always know where the goods are. He thinks of ways and means of transport, from packing and loading in the warehouse to delivery to the customer. Experience and personal qualities are important in his work. In principle, he acts according to instructions, but in the event of a disruption in the work process (failure to meet deadlines, breakdown of transport, unfair work by suppliers or employees), the logistician must quickly find a way out of the situation.
A logistician is an organiser who must be able to plan and coordinate the work of all participants in the logistics chain. The logistician's job is to find a quality contractor who will ensure that the cargo is delivered in the required quantity and within the time frame specified in the contracts. He must be able to prioritise, allocate resources and control the execution of tasks. This requires an understanding of transport exchanges, market conditions and pricing.
Laws and regulations. Each country has its own particularities when it comes to transporting goods. When it comes to international transport, the logistician is obliged to know the legislation of other countries and the specifics of the document flow between states. In particular, there are international conventions and transport regulations that must be observed. Without this knowledge, the logistician will not be able to do his job and will cause problems for the driver, the transport company and the customer.
In addition, the logistician must know the rules of business and document management: which documents should be requested from the client, which documents should be provided by the contractor, which documents should be prepared by the driver, and so on. Every transport is accompanied by documents. The logistician must know all the nuances of working with them. Without this, he will not be able to carry out the transport.
Road restrictions. This may seem trivial. But if the logistician does not know the situation on a particular route and on particular roads, it will result in a loss of money for the company. Somewhere there may be a break in traffic due to repairs, where it may be difficult to pass due to natural phenomena. If you do not have this information, you will always have problems.
Software. It is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of all the programmes and applications used by a logistician: CRM, ERP, WMS and other tools. Without this knowledge and skills, you will not be productive, in which case you will not be of interest to any employer.
Foreign languages. If you only work within the country, you will not need them. But if you want to develop in logistics, you definitely need to know a foreign language and work in the international market.
In addition, the logistician must know the rules of business and document management: which documents should be requested from the client, which documents should be provided by the contractor, which documents should be prepared by the driver, and so on. Every transport is accompanied by documents. The logistician must know all the nuances of working with them. Without this, he will not be able to carry out the transport.
Road restrictions. This may seem trivial. But if the logistician does not know the situation on a particular route and on particular roads, it will result in a loss of money for the company. Somewhere there may be a break in traffic due to repairs, where it may be difficult to pass due to natural phenomena. If you do not have this information, you will always have problems.
Software. It is necessary to have a thorough knowledge of all the programmes and applications used by a logistician: CRM, ERP, WMS and other tools. Without this knowledge and skills, you will not be productive, in which case you will not be of interest to any employer.
Foreign languages. If you only work within the country, you will not need them. But if you want to develop in logistics, you definitely need to know a foreign language and work in the international market.
Knowledge and skills
Responsibility. It is important for a logistician to pay attention to every detail, because if a mistake is made, the logistician can be held financially responsible.
Multitasking. The logistician interacts with many people at the same time, supervising the transport process, working with the warehouse and, in some cases, giving feedback to the customer.
Vigour. The logistician's job may involve heavy physical exertion, so it is important to be energetic and physically fit.
Communicative skills. A logistician must be able to work with people, finding a common language with suppliers, carriers and customers. The ability to network and persuade people is an important skill for a successful logistician. You need to have a good relationship with your customers so that they give their business to you and not to your competitors.
A logistician works in tandem with a driver. Without the driver, the logistician cannot deliver, and without the logistician, the driver cannot do his job. His job is to get the goods from point A to point B in one piece and on time, not to find customers and organise the process. A logistician needs to know when drivers are allowed to work and when the regulations require them to rest. They should also know the capacity of the vehicles, the standard load, etc. You should not ask the driver about these things. You should know them yourself and support the driver in your overall task.
Multitasking. The logistician interacts with many people at the same time, supervising the transport process, working with the warehouse and, in some cases, giving feedback to the customer.
Vigour. The logistician's job may involve heavy physical exertion, so it is important to be energetic and physically fit.
Communicative skills. A logistician must be able to work with people, finding a common language with suppliers, carriers and customers. The ability to network and persuade people is an important skill for a successful logistician. You need to have a good relationship with your customers so that they give their business to you and not to your competitors.
A logistician works in tandem with a driver. Without the driver, the logistician cannot deliver, and without the logistician, the driver cannot do his job. His job is to get the goods from point A to point B in one piece and on time, not to find customers and organise the process. A logistician needs to know when drivers are allowed to work and when the regulations require them to rest. They should also know the capacity of the vehicles, the standard load, etc. You should not ask the driver about these things. You should know them yourself and support the driver in your overall task.
Personal qualities
