What does a Logistics Specialist do?
A logistics specialist is a member of the workforce that handles the logistics procedures in a warehouse or similar establishment. A logistics specialist primarily functions in processing orders, preparing goods, receiving shipments, and even shipping deliveries, ensuring that all transactions are within the allotted schedule. Furthermore, they are in charge of overseeing that all shipments are aligned with the expected quality and quantity, maintaining an accurate record of inventory, producing reports, and coordinating with other members of the team. All while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
Logistics specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real logistics specialist resumes:
- Manage and execute the GSA fleet maintenance program.
- Manage Phase-In/Phase-Out (NPI) to minimize obsolete material.
- Manage the DIFM program to ensure assets are return and process in accordance with directives.
- Experience decision-maker in high-pressure environments; efficiently manage vital decision points autonomously to ensure mission accomplishment in multiple combat deployments.
- Produce technical procedures, guidelines, and supply support information to be include in ILS documentation.
- Enter all necessary transactions in MRP system, perform cycle counts, and resolve inventory discrepancies.
- Process order request hazardous material follows safety standards according to OSHA regulations.
- Review provisioning technical documentation, drawing revisions, and change documents for comparison to existing data.
- Process all communication control between multiple freight forwarders and vendors to consolidate for maximum allow weight per container.
- Provide international shipment capacity forecasts to domestic and international carriers, third party service providers and freight forwarders.
- Update BOM's and work order BOM's as per ECN changes and engineering updates.
- Prepare monthly KPI & MBR reports.
- Prepare and equip newly purchase ambulances for NJOEMS inspections.
- Receive orders via EDI have them ship and invoice.
- Transport product from staging locations to designate locations per WMS.
Logistics specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 23% of Logistics Specialists are proficient in Customer Service, Shipping Receiving, and Inventory Control. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer service skills, and Organizational skills.
We break down the percentage of Logistics Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 23%
Managed 4 junior logistics techs in geographically separated locations to assure customer service and satisfaction, and accuracy of logistical operations.
- Shipping Receiving, 7%
Possess competent knowledge of shipping receiving property.
- Inventory Control, 6%
Performed a variety of duties related to inventory control and management of 11 material storerooms to maintain high inventory accuracy rate.
- Logistics Support, 5%
Provide analysis concerning all methods of procurement via Navy Stock System Defense Logistics Agency-Tailored Logistics Support, and Fleet Logistics Centers.
- Management System, 4%
Manage service-component-specific supply requirements and service specific medical inventory management systems.
- Cycle Counts, 4%
Monitored and reported accuracy of system and customer related cycle counts.
Common skills that a logistics specialist uses to do their job include "customer service," "shipping receiving," and "inventory control." You can find details on the most important logistics specialist responsibilities below.
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a logistics specialist to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "logisticians need strong communication skills to collaborate with colleagues and do business with suppliers and customers." Additionally, a logistics specialist resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "establish solid business relationships and maintain open, accurate and timely two-way communications with third-party logistics vendors and management. "
Customer service skills. Many logistics specialist duties rely on customer service skills. "logisticians must know the needs of their customers in order to coordinate the movement of materials between suppliers and customers," so a logistics specialist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways logistics specialist responsibilities rely on customer service skills: "provided internal/external customer service regarding transportation status, eta's, final shipping documents such as hazmat declarations and cargo/personnel manifests. "
Organizational skills. This is an important skill for logistics specialists to perform their duties. For an example of how logistics specialist responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "logisticians must be able to keep detailed records and simultaneously manage several projects in a fast-paced environment." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a logistics specialist: "key achievements: operate unit level computer system (pbuse) to prepare all unit/organizational supply documents. ".
Problem-solving skills. For certain logistics specialist responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "problem-solving skills." The day-to-day duties of a logistics specialist rely on this skill, as "logisticians must handle unforeseen issues, such as delivery problems, and adjust plans as needed to resolve the issues." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what logistics specialists do: "design, configure erp sap ecc / apo solution capabilities based on the business requirements. "
The three companies that hire the most logistics specialists are:
- XPO Logistics
55 logistics specialists jobs
- McKinsey & Company Inc39 logistics specialists jobs
- Kuehne+Nagel32 logistics specialists jobs
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Compare different logistics specialists
Logistics specialist vs. Demand planner
A demand planner specializes in conducting research and analysis to develop forecast models that will help determine a supply chain's demands. They are also responsible for monitoring the inventory of products, maintaining knowledge and awareness on the latest trends, producing progress reports and presentations, establishing demand plans, and detecting any changes in the forecast, reporting them to management right away. Furthermore, as a demand planner, it is essential to coordinate with everyone in the team, all while adhering to the company's policies and standards.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a logistics specialist are more likely to require skills like "shipping receiving," "logistics support," "management system," and "cycle counts." On the other hand, a job as a demand planner requires skills like "supply chain," "logistics," "strong analytical," and "continuous improvement." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Demand planners tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $102,478. In contrast, logistics specialists make the biggest average salary, $50,529, in the government industry.On average, demand planners reach higher levels of education than logistics specialists. Demand planners are 9.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Logistics specialist vs. Supply planner
A supply planner is primarily in charge of maintaining a company's inventory of supplies, ensuring all are sufficient and efficient. Their responsibilities revolve around monitoring and counting the inventory, maintaining accurate records, reviewing receipts and other documentation, anticipating product demands, and liaising with vendors and suppliers. Should there be any supply emergencies or issues, one must visit manufacturers or suppliers. There may also be instances where one has to lift products and propose changes in the inventory processes.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real logistics specialist resumes. While logistics specialist responsibilities can utilize skills like "customer service," "shipping receiving," "logistics support," and "management system," supply planners use skills like "supply chain," "logistics," "demand planning," and "continuous improvement."
Supply planners earn a higher average salary than logistics specialists. But supply planners earn the highest pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $77,488. Additionally, logistics specialists earn the highest salaries in the government with average pay of $50,529 annually.supply planners earn higher levels of education than logistics specialists in general. They're 7.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Logistics specialist vs. Supply chain planner
The job of supply chain planners, or logisticians, is to plan, develop, and schedule project management tools in support of an organization's operations. They are responsible for managing and monitoring inventories, forecasting production and sales levels, and tracking response time and delivery performance. Other duties include analyzing the levels of finished products, developing and monitoring production plans, and generating reports. Supply chain planners are also responsible for supervising other team members and ensuring that customer service best practices are followed.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, logistics specialists are more likely to have skills like "logistics support," "management system," "cycle counts," and "pallet jack." But a supply chain planner is more likely to have skills like "supply chain," "logistics," "continuous improvement," and "demand planning."
Supply chain planners earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $83,980. Logistics specialists earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $50,529.Most supply chain planners achieve a higher degree level compared to logistics specialists. For example, they're 8.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Logistics specialist vs. Supply coordinator
A supply coordinator is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's supply chain operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities include gathering and analyzing data to identify and understand the company's needs, coordinating with procurement managers, liaising and negotiating contracts with vendors and suppliers, and monitoring the procedures and arrival of supplies. Furthermore, as a supply coordinator, it is essential to maintain an active communication line with internal and external parties, all while adhering to the company's policies and regulations.
Types of logistics specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
