Logistics analysts analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. May manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracking.

  • Maintain databases of logistics information.
  • Remotely monitor the flow of vehicles or inventory, using Web-based logistics information systems to track vehicles or containers.
  • Communicate with or monitor service providers, such as ocean carriers, air freight forwarders, global consolidators, customs brokers, or trucking companies.
  • Track product flow from origin to final delivery.
  • Interpret data on logistics elements, such as availability, maintainability, reliability, supply chain management, strategic sourcing or distribution, supplier management, or transportation.
  • Recommend improvements to existing or planned logistics processes.
  • Apply analytic methods or tools to understand, predict, or control logistics operations or processes.
  • Prepare reports on logistics performance measures.
  • Enter logistics-related data into databases.
  • Provide ongoing analyses in areas such as transportation costs, parts procurement, back orders, or delivery processes.
  • Analyze logistics data, using methods such as data mining, data modeling, or cost or benefit analysis.
  • Monitor inventory transactions at warehouse facilities to assess receiving, storage, shipping, or inventory integrity.
  • Maintain logistics records in accordance with corporate policies.
  • Contact carriers for rates or schedules.
  • Manage systems to ensure that pricing structures adequately reflect logistics costing.
  • Confer with logistics management teams to determine ways to optimize service levels, maintain supply-chain efficiency, or minimize cost.
  • Compute reporting metrics, such as on-time delivery rates, order fulfillment rates, or inventory turns.
  • Identify opportunities for inventory reductions.
  • Review procedures, such as distribution or inventory management, to ensure maximum efficiency or minimum cost.
  • Develop or maintain models for logistics uses, such as cost estimating or demand forecasting.
  • Monitor industry standards, trends, or practices to identify developments in logistics planning or execution.
  • Write or revise standard operating procedures for logistics processes.
  • Reorganize shipping schedules to consolidate loads, maximize vehicle usage, or limit the movement of empty vehicles or containers.
  • Contact potential vendors to determine material availability.
  • Develop or maintain payment systems to ensure accuracy of vendor payments.
  • Develop or maintain freight rate databases for use by supply chain departments to determine the most economical modes of transportation.
  • Route or reroute drivers in real time with remote route navigation software, satellite linkup systems, or global positioning systems (GPS) to improve operational efficiencies.
  • Determine packaging requirements.
  • Enter carbon-output or environmental-impact data into spreadsheets or environmental management or auditing software programs.
  • Compare locations or environmental policies of carriers or suppliers to make transportation decisions with lower environmental impact.
  • Arrange for sale or lease of excess storage or transport capacity to minimize losses or inefficiencies associated with empty space.
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 100% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 82% responded "Every day".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 82% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 64% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Spend Time Sitting — 69% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Work With Work Group or Team — 46% responded "Extremely important".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 50% responded "Every day".
  • Read More
Work Activities
  • Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Read More
Detailed Work Activities
  • Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
  • Analyze industry trends.
  • Maintain data in information systems or databases.
  • Develop business or financial information systems.
  • Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
  • Develop business or financial information systems.
  • Read More

Knowledge

English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Read More

Skills

Reading Comprehension
  • Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
  • Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving
  • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Read More

Abilities

Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Near Vision
  • The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Read More

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
Read More

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology
  • Minitab Hot Technology
  • IBM SPSS Statistics Hot Technology
  • StataCorp Stata
  • Optimization software
Business intelligence and data analysis software
  • MicroStrategy Hot Technology
  • Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition Hot Technology
  • Tableau Hot Technology
  • Qlik Tech QlikView Hot Technology
  • IBM Cognos Impromptu Hot Technology
Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Read More