Logisticians are an essential part of the supply chain. They coordinate the life cycle of a product, overseeing the purchasing, transportation, inventory and warehousing of goods.

“Generally, the logistician is responsible for the part of the supply chain between an organization and its customers,” says Amy David, clinical associate professor of supply chain management at Purdue University. Job titles logisticians may hold include:
Inventory management analyst.
Logistics analyst.
Logistics coordinator.
Logistics manager.
Transportation analyst.
Transportation manager.
Logisticians foster relationships with suppliers and clients. They understand clients’ needs and help create plans to meet those needs, including identifying areas for improvement and proposing solutions to make the supply of goods more efficient.

In 2021, nearly a quarter of logisticians in the U.S. worked in manufacturing, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. About 18% were employed by the federal government; 16% worked in professional, scientific and technical services; 10% worked in management of companies and enterprises; and 9% worked in wholesale trade.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 18.3% employment growth for logisticians between 2022 and 2032. In that period, an estimated 38,300 jobs should open up.

Some entry-level positions may only require a high school diploma or associate degree, but in general, logisticians – especially those who want to advance in their careers – need a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or a related field.

“Bachelor’s degree programs often include coursework in operations and database management, and system dynamics,” according to the BLS. “In addition, most programs offer courses that train students on software and technologies commonly used by logisticians, such as radio-frequency identification.”

Some companies may accept relevant work experience in lieu of meeting degree requirements, such as if a job applicant had logistics-related experience in the military