What Do Logistics Engineers Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Logistics Engineers design or analyze operational solutions for projects such as transportation optimization, network modeling, process and methods analysis, cost containment, capacity enhancement, routing and shipment optimization, or information management. They also review contractual commitments, customer specifications, or related information to determine logistics or support requirements.

Other tasks include:

• Determine logistics support requirements, such as facility details, staffing needs, or safety or maintenance plans.
• Propose logistics solutions for customers.
• Direct the work of logistics analysts.
• Evaluate effectiveness of current or future logistical processes.
• Provide logistics technology or information for effective and efficient support of product, equipment, or system manufacturing or service.
• Evaluate the use of inventory tracking technology, Web-based warehousing software, or intelligent conveyor systems to maximize plant or distribution center efficiency.

We asked Logistics Engineers how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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70% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 47% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Logistics Engineers direct the work of logistics analysts. They analyze or interpret logistics data involving customer service, forecasting, procurement, manufacturing, inventory, transportation, or warehousing.

A typical day for a Logistics Engineer will also include:

• Evaluate the use of technologies, such as global positioning systems (GPS), radio-frequency identification (RFID), route navigation software, or satellite linkup systems, to improve transportation efficiency.
• Determine logistics support requirements, such as facility details, staffing needs, or safety or maintenance plans.
• Evaluate the use of inventory tracking technology, Web-based warehousing software, or intelligent conveyor systems to maximize plant or distribution center efficiency.
• Develop or document reverse logistics management processes to ensure maximal efficiency of product recycling, reuse, or final disposal.
• Provide logistics technology or information for effective and efficient support of product, equipment, or system manufacturing or service.

We asked some Logistics Engineers a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	91% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	45% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	90% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	32% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	5% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	9% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Logistics Engineers also determine logistics support requirements, such as facility details, staffing needs, or safety or maintenance plans. They may also propose logistics solutions for customers.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Logistics Engineers Develop logistic metrics, internal analysis tools, or key performance indicators for business units. They might also Develop or maintain cost estimates, forecasts, or cost models.

In addition, they Review contractual commitments, customer specifications, or related information to determine logistics or support requirements.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Evaluate effectiveness of current or future logistical processes.

To some Logistics Engineers, it is also their responsibility to Provide logistics technology or information for effective and efficient support of product, equipment, or system manufacturing or service.

Working life

More than 40 hours per week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Logistics Engineer, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. They like searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally..

They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/business-and-financial/logisticians.htm

http://www.apics.org/

http://www.sole.org/