My Typical Day

Daily Outbound Route Planning

We carry out logistics operations with between 500 and 1200 vehicles on an average day. Therefore, the tracking and route planning of all these vehicles covers an integral part of my day.

Return Product Management

My team ensures the traceability of the returned products. We set up small operational groups for return delivery and return stock.

I keep track of returning products (for damage or customer-related reasons), accurately take them back to the warehouse stocks by following system planning and strict control applications, and prepare the necessary reports.

KPI Monitoring

I am responsible for reaching the highest performance outcomes.

Our major KPIs:

• Average Warehouse Check-Out Time
• On-Time Delivery Numbers
• Transfer Time of the Delivery Information to the System (Maximum 1 Day)
• Return Quantity/Delivered Quantity Ratio
• Stock Accuracy
• Average Time Spend to Take the Imported Products into Warehouse Stocks

Delivery Monitoring

Instant tracking of any delays in the transit period of the shipped products. The problems can be:

• Shipping to the wrong address
• Damaged goods in the vehicle
• Incoming customer complaints

IOD Management

Entering the “delivery date” information of the delivered orders into the system at most 24 hours after the expected delivery date.

For example: If the X order is expected to be delivered on 09.08, the relevant delivery status should be transferred to the system on 10.08.

Conflict Resolution

During a typical day, the demands of many internal and external customers are tried to be met. When there are overlapping points between these components, departments, and strategies, it is necessary to operate quick decision-making and conflict management processes.

Pros

• Since it is a very dynamic job, it allows you to develop many interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.
• There are constant innovations and new ideas. You should look at the development curve of logistics systems with the spread of e-commerce together.
• If you are good with numbers, you will always have the opportunity to make a difference in price and cost figures. In particular, you will be involved in the challenge of cost reduction strategies.

Cons

• You need to learn how to negotiate with various people (this could be overwhelming sometimes)
• You should be on the alert 24/7

Advice to students interested in becoming a Logistics Manager

In terms of academic development, students may take core business, maths, finance, computer systems, geography, and humanities courses.

But more importantly, I strongly advise them to experience firsthand different parts of the supply chain. Any office and teamwork practice is a plus.

Also, try to sell something online, be an e-commerce merchant and look after every aspect of the process:

• Sourcing the products
• Material and design decision
• Procurement of materials and finding suppliers
• Finished goods audit
• Domestic or international shipment planning
• Stock management
• Cash flow management
• B2C (and B2B if possible) sales and shipping
• Return management and customer service
• Crisis management
• Outsourcing and outsourced management (leading a small team)

They don’t need to spend thousands of dollars. It can be done with a couple of bucks. The critical part is to understand the trade and supply chain world.

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