Why Make a Career in Logistics? “Logistics is the hottest career out there. It links every functional area in a corporation and its success.” Logistics industry in India is in its developing stage. According to the estimates of 2011, the global logistics market is valued at USD 3.43 trillion. By comparison the Indian logistics industry is only USD 125 billion. The logistics or the services sector contributes about 10 percent to the GDP in India; there is a large scope for improvement. The logistics costs in India are 14% of GDP, while in US it is merely 8.7%. There is need to foster growth in this sector by creating awareness about this sector in the student community. The logistics sector employs 45 million people out of a total employable population of nearly 500 million. An effort needs to be made in this direction by bringing together top level professionals from across the country and aspiring management students who foresee their career in the logistics sector. It is important to focus on key issues of Logistics like:- Warehousing Cold – Chain Management E – Logistics Green Logistics Supply Chain Management Reverse Logistics Manufacturing, transport and courier industries are looking for committed people with innovative ideas and solutions for addressing these issues to reduce cost and improve efficiency. Besides, Indian micro and small scale operations are being taken by the storm of globalization and stiff competition from foreign players. There is great dearth of trained manpower to carry out these operations in the most efficient manner. What is Logistics and Supply Chain Management? Supply chains encompass the companies and the business activities needed to design, make, deliver and use a product. Businesses today depend on their supply chains to provide them with what they need to survive and thrive. Every business fits into one or more supply chains and has a role to play. Supply chains consist of all the stages involved in fulfilling a customer request. It not only includes manufacturer and suppliers, but also transporters, warehouses, retailers, and the customers themselves. “Supply chain management is the coordination of production, inventory, location and transportation among the participants in a supply chain to achieve the best mix of responsiveness and efficiency for the market being served.” - Hugos Michael. There is a difference between the concept of supply chain management and logistics. Logistics is the linkage of all activities, from raw material procurement to production, transportation and distribution, maintenance and inventory, within the boundaries of a single organization. Supply chains refer to a network of companies that work together and coordinate their action to deliver a product to the market. Businesses sometimes face issues like planning and assessment, procurement and fleet management, warehousing and tracking that need to be addressed in a professional manner. We need trained manpower to look into all these issues. Logistics, therefore, has a huge impact on the domestic and global economy. Now a days it has become critical for human survival. It greatly impacts our quality of life. Where are the Jobs? The logistics industry provides great opportunity of employment to students pursuing different streams of education. A candidate can look for placement as analyst, consultant, customer service manager, international logistics manager, logistics engineer, logistics manager, logistics services sales process, logistics software manager, materials manager, production manager, purchasing manager, supply chain manager, systems support manager, transportation manager, vendor manager, inventory coordinator, and warehouse operation manager. To achieve this goal, there is need to do effective planning. The students must focus on:- Taking advantage of on-campus resources and seek help from faculty specializing in Logistics & Supply Chain Management. Build a strong grade point by participating in leadership roles on the college campus. Obtain internship and relevant experience to make an impressive bio-data. Students can also opt for specialized courses on Logistics and Supply Chain Management. This is the right time to enter the logistics industry. Businesses need logisticians to bring about customer satisfaction at least cost and be able to compete and thrive in this era of globalization. It is a growing industry and provides great opportunity for advancement. There is scope of international exposure. Due to the wide application of IT in logistics, it does not matter where you live, the logistics business can be easily managed. Besides, variety makes it an interesting career option.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Sep 2013 06:34:51 +0000
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