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Warehouse & freight

Logistics Coordinator

Solving a moving puzzle before it stops moving.

Typical pay

$45k-$80k

How you get in

On the job; a supply chain cert helps

Outlook

Growing with e-commerce

Coordinators schedule shipments, manage carriers and fix problems in the supply chain. High call volume and constant reprioritizing.

A day in the life

  1. 7:00aReview overnight exceptions
  2. 8:00aBook carriers for today's loads
  3. 10:00aA truck broke down, reroute it
  4. 12:00pWarehouse walk-through
  5. 2:00pCustomer ETA updates
  6. 4:30pPrep tomorrow's schedule

How to get in

Up from the warehouse floor

Duration

1-2 years

Cost

$0

Credential

None — operational knowledge

  1. Start in a warehouse, dispatch or driver-check-in role
  2. Learn the WMS or TMS system your company runs on
  3. Take on scheduling and carrier calls informally
  4. Move into the coordinator seat when it opens

Supply chain degree or certificate

Duration

1-4 years

Cost

$5,000-$120,000

Credential

Certificate or bachelor's in supply chain management

  1. Complete a supply chain or logistics program
  2. Intern with a 3PL, carrier or manufacturer
  3. Enter as a coordinator or analyst
  4. Move toward planning and management faster than the floor route

APICS certification

Duration

4-9 months

Cost

$1,500-$4,000

Credential

CSCP or CPIM

  1. Study for a CSCP or CPIM while working an adjacent role
  2. Pass the exam
  3. Use it to move from a general operations job into logistics specifically
  4. Pairs well with existing warehouse or customer service experience

What people love

  • · Entry level without a degree
  • · Clear promotion path
  • · Never boring

What wears people down

  • · Constant firefighting
  • · Phone and email overload
  • · Peak season stress

From people doing it

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