How To Become A Logistics Coordinator: What It Is and Career Path

Q: How long does it take to become a logistics coordinator?

It takes anywhere from zero to four years to become a logistics coordinator after earning your high-school diploma or equivalent. While it is possible to get a logistics coordinator job right out of high school and with no experience, the most competitive candidates have a bachelor's degree and some industry experience.

Q: Is it hard to be a logistics coordinator?

No, it is not hard to be a logistics coordinator. Being a logistics coordinator requires certain technical and soft skills and the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment managing multiple moving parts. This position does not require a college degree or advanced technical knowledge.

Q: What does logistics coordinator mean?

A logistics coordinator means one who organizes the acquisition, storage, and transportation of purchase orders. This is precisely the work of a logistics coordinator. Logistics coordinators organize or manage (coordinate) the acquisition, storage, and transportation (logistics) of purchase orders.

Q: What is the work of a logistics coordinator?

The work of a logistics coordinator is to prepare and manage an organization's purchase orders. They oversee the acquisition, storage, and transportation of these orders and ensure they reach their destinations in good condition and on time.

Q: What skills do you need for logistics?

The skills you need for logistics are customer service skills and various technical and soft skills. Logistics is inherently customer service-based. Your job is to ensure customers receive their orders securely and on time. You will need to communicate and negotiate effectively with suppliers, distributors, management, and everyone in-between. You must be able to do so professionally and effectively.

Q: Why do you want to work in logistics?

"I want to work in logistics because I find supply chain management and efficiency exciting and intellectually stimulating, I want the opportunity to use my problem-solving skills and analytical abilities, and I enjoy working in the regional and global contexts" is a good answer to this interview question.

What is a logistics coordinator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

Warren Beeler

A logistics coordinator manages the flow of goods and services from the supplier to the customer. They work to ensure products arrive on time and remain within budget. A logistics coordinator handles all aspects of the supply chain, including transportation, inventory control, and warehousing. They must have organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to multitask. Additionally, they need communication and interpersonal skills, as they work with stakeholders across the supply chain.

What general advice would you give to a logistics coordinator?

Warren Beeler

Western Kentucky University

1. Work hard, 2. be a good listener and learn. 3. be a team player

ScoreLogistics CoordinatorUS Average

Salary

3.1

Avg. Salary $39,846

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

6.8

Growth rate 28%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.8

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.42%

Asian 6.11%

Black or African American 11.17%

Hispanic or Latino 18.54%

Unknown 4.30%

White 59.45%

Gender

female 41.52%

male 58.48%

Age - 45

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 45

Stress level

6.8

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.7

Complexity level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a logistics coordinator?

Pros

High demand for logistics coordinators
Good salary and benefits
Opportunities for advancement
Potential for travel
Ability to make a tangible impact on a company's success

Cons

High stress and pressure to meet deadlines
High level of customer service required, including dealing with difficult clients or vendors
Can involve physically demanding work in some roles
Need to constantly stay up-to-date on industry changes and regulations
Potential for burnout due to the demanding nature of the job

Key steps to become a logistics coordinator

Explore logistics coordinator education requirements

Most common logistics coordinator degrees

Bachelor's

57.9 %

Associate

19.0 %

High School Diploma

11.7 %

Start to develop specific logistics coordinator skills

Skills	Percentages
Customer Service	22.57%
Work Ethic	7.47%
On-Time Delivery	7.36%
Data Entry	6.41%
Freight Carriers	4.63%

Complete relevant logistics coordinator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New logistics coordinators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a logistics coordinator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real logistics coordinator resumes.

Gain additional logistics coordinator certifications

Logistics coordinator certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific logistics coordinator certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for logistics coordinators include Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP).

More About Certifications

Research logistics coordinator duties and responsibilities

Track production levels and provide status updates to sr. leadership and department leads through weekly reports and conference calls.
Assemble customer orders from stock and place on pallets or shelves, or conveys orders to packing station or shipping department.
Prepare documents for ocean export shipments and import documents for distribution to brokerage operation and customer's freight forwarders.
Coordinate and monitor freight forwarders, customs brokers and trucking vendors for inbound and outbound door-to-door international and domestic refrigerate shipments.

Prepare your logistics coordinator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your logistics coordinator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a logistics coordinator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable logistics coordinator resume templates

Build a professional logistics coordinator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your logistics coordinator resume.

Apply for logistics coordinator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a logistics coordinator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first logistics coordinator job

Walle Olawoyin

Logistics Coordinator

In the past I worked for trucking company and logistics coordinator was the person who planned which trucks got which loads that were coming up. They tried to ensure that the most important freight was covered with reliable driver first and then try to ensure it was all their freight was covered and then lastly tried to ensure all drivers had freight.

It was a middle position between customer service reps booking freight and dispatchers telling drivers where to go next. It was a position that required constant communication with other internal people to be able to do well. It was magic to watch on a good day and madness to see things going wrong.

So as a logistic coordinator there is a lot to do from day to day tasks, for example. Arranging inbound and outbound loads, dealing with drivers, customers, vendors, rectifying issues, a bit of planning, assisting Managers, administrators, filing, legal compliance, spreadsheets, KPI’s etc.

Keeping the wheels moving to an extent - its hard work, and its pretty thankless, but it is necessary. Companies use ‘Coordinator’ as it sounds good and in a way expresses part of the role (coordination).

I love logistics and the experience is very grateful, its an area of quick changes, great flexibility and high concentration. But it also depends what you are referring to because as a truck driver or a train supervisor, you are in logistics, but it different to be a manager or operative on a site, like airport, cargo station or harbor.

My daily routine contains direct customer support, load building, dispatching, tracing of trucks, quoting. Being in the front line, facing Customers in majority of my tasks, I am representing the Company as a whole, therefore communication is key in the business. I have a team of carrier representatives that are responsible for booking the trucks, and they report to myself. Whether it’s an update or issues, I would be the first one to advise our customers.

I had no regret till today, but in a certain way, I think, you have to be born for that and see always ahead of things, situations or events, to be prepared for everything.

How do logistics coordinators rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Logistics coordinator reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Feb 2020

Cons

Whirlwind or fire working and overlapping responsibilities

A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020

Cons

You have to answer for everything. Everything falls back to the load planner. Managers want to know why this happened and truckers ask dispatch who then ask us why things are happening. You have to wear multiple hats. You are above dispatch. But still have to know how to dispatch in and out. AS400 and Excel are just as important to know inside and out. You also have to know your bosses job because when they are out you take their spot. It's high stress. Most planners get out within 3 years. Most go into management. You need to know everything about your trucking company. How each driver runs are they reliable can you trust them or are you going to burn at the stake for making a mistake. Do not start load planning on a dedicated accout say for Walmart or Target you will be in way over your head. It is much more fast paced and time sensitive than an OTR planner.

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019

Cons

High stress. High burnout rate. Long hours.

Pros

Everyday, even though it's the same thing over and over, brings different challenges. Drivers make this job either very easy or extremely stressfull.

What is a logistics coordinator and how to become one

What general advice would you give to a logistics coordinator?

What are the pros and cons of being a logistics coordinator?

Logistics coordinator career paths

Key steps to become a logistics coordinator

Explore logistics coordinator education requirements

Most common logistics coordinator degrees

Start to develop specific logistics coordinator skills

Complete relevant logistics coordinator training and internships

Gain additional logistics coordinator certifications

Research logistics coordinator duties and responsibilities

Prepare your logistics coordinator resume

Choose from 10+ customizable logistics coordinator resume templates

Apply for logistics coordinator jobs

How did you land your first logistics coordinator job

Average logistics coordinator salary

How do logistics coordinators rate their job?

Logistics coordinator reviews

Logistics coordinator FAQs

How long does it take to become a logistics coordinator?

Is it hard to be a logistics coordinator?

What does logistics coordinator mean?

What is the work of a logistics coordinator?

What skills do you need for logistics?

Why do you want to work in logistics?

Search for logistics coordinator jobs

Logistics coordinator jobs by state