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Are you thinking of starting a role in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management?
If yes, then you’re in the right place.
This article will equip you with all the information you need to choose a great career in e-commerce supply chain management.
Here’s what to look out for as you read:
- A definition of e-commerce logistics and supply chain management.
- Why you should pursue a career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management.
- List of top careers in e-commerce logistics and their average salary expectations.
- How to kickstart your career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management.
Let’s begin!
What is e-commerce logistics and supply chain management?
Imagine buying something from an online store, perhaps a dress or a book. Usually, you’d wait a few hours, days, or even months, depending on your location, for the purchase to arrive.
E-commerce logistics and supply chain management are the entire processes involved in ensuring that your purchase is delivered safely and on time.
It involves different processes, which include:
- Scheduling.
- Packaging.
- Invoicing.
- Identifying location.
- Sourcing orders categorically.
In summary, e-commerce logistics and supply chain management involve managing the flow of goods from the store or place of production to the customer’s location.
So why should you pursue a career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management?
Keep reading to find out.
Why you should pursue a career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management
First things first, there is an increasingly high demand for e-commerce logistics and supply chain management.
According to Statista, the global supply chain management market was valued at $15.85 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach almost $31 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.
Think about it this way: Everything you order online needs to arrive at your doorstep, so companies are constantly looking for people who can figure out the most efficient ways to do that.
But aside from the high demand in the market, let’s look at other reasons why you should pursue a career in the industry.
- Multiple career opportunities: Contrary to what many might think, logistics and supply chain management is more than just moving boxes. There are tons of jobs in this field. You could be managing warehouses, analyzing data to make deliveries faster, or even working on new tech equipment to facilitate deliveries.
- Opportunities for growth: It’s e-commerce! As companies strive to stay afloat with changing trends and technological advancement, there will be room for employees to grow and improve.
- Good pay: In e-commerce logistics and supply chain management, the salaries can be pretty competitive. Plus, as you gain more experience and skills, you improve your earnings.
Let’s take an extensive look at some of the top careers in the field and their average salaries.
List of top careers in e-commerce logistics and their average salary expectations
Below is an expertly curated list of career opportunities you should explore in this field.
Supply chain manager
A supply chain is a system comprising all the activities involved in the production and distribution of products and services.
The role of a supply chain manager is to oversee this system and ensure that procurement, inventory, and distribution occur as swiftly as possible.
As a manager, you will act as a top executive for the company you work for. Ideally, part of your role will also include inspections, such as overseeing driver vehicle inspection reports.
The average annual salary of a supply chain manager is $100,000.
For all the roles listed in this section, salary may vary depending on your qualifications, experience, and location.
Logistics manager
The role of a logistics manager is to ensure that purchased goods are delivered on time and to effectively manage reversals if needed.
During reversals, you will handle the refurbishing or recycling of products when necessary and minimize the impact of returns on the company’s bottom line.
Generally, in this role, you function to coordinate the prompt entry and exit of goods from an organization, organize shipments, communicate with suppliers and carriers, and ensure products reach customers on time.
The average annual salary of a logistics manager is $114,974.
Inventory analyst
The role of an inventory analyst is highly significant. Here, you use data to identify trends, predict demand, and make informed decisions that drive the business’s success.
As an inventory analyst, you have the power to improve stock levels and prevent issues related to overstocking.
The average annual salary of an inventory analyst is $75,210.
Warehouse manager
All online products are stored in physical locations called warehouses, and these locations need to be managed.
As a warehouse manager, you will receive, store, and dispatch goods for distribution. You will be held accountable for all products entering and leaving the warehouse.
Depending on your experience and capability, you can work for multi-location businesses, which means managing multiple warehouses simultaneously.
To excel in this role, you would need excellent organizational skills and an ability to pay close attention to details. When products are unaccounted for, your earnings will suffer.
The average annual salary of a warehouse manager is $95,516.
Freight forwarder
This is a person or a company that facilitates the movement of shipments on behalf of the shipper. A shipper is the person who wants an item shipped.
The freight forwarder coordinates this movement by collaborating with carriers who transport the item(s).
Here’s an example of how it works:
Let’s say an e-commerce company in the United States wants to ship a batch of products to a customer in China. Instead of dealing with all the complicated international logistics themselves, they can hire a freight forwarder.
The freight forwarder takes care of everything, from booking space on ships or planes to handling customs paperwork and coordinating transportation to the final destination.
As a freight forwarder, you basically act as the middleman.
The average annual salary of a freight forwarder is $92,798.
Customs compliance specialist
Customs is an agency or an authority of a country. They are responsible for coordinating the flow of products in and out of a country.
They have the power to seize products if the necessary documentation or compliance is unmet. A customs compliance specialist ensures that this doesn’t happen.
In this role, you are:
- Expected to stay up-to-date with all the rules and regulations related to the importation and exportation of goods. Some of these include tariffs, duties, quotas, and any other trade regulations imposed by different countries.
- Responsible for preparing and reviewing all the necessary paperwork for international shipments, including customs declarations, commercial invoices, and shipping documents.
- To determine the correct classification of goods according to the customs classification systems specific to a country. This classification affects the amount of taxes that need to be paid.
- To conduct internal audits or assist with government audits to ensure compliance with customs regulations.
The average annual salary of a customs compliance specialist is $77,699.
Packaging engineer
A product cannot be delivered without proper packaging. This is where a packaging engineer comes in.
In this role, you create and design packaging solutions that ensure that purchased products remain safe and undamaged during shipping and handling.
These packaging designs include, but are not limited to, boxes, bags, paper wraps, or plastic containers.
The average annual salary of a packaging engineer is $76,508.
Now that you’ve learned about some of the top career opportunities in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management let’s take a step further to find out how you can kickstart your career.
How to kickstart your career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management
After you’ve settled on the career path you want to follow in the industry, what next?
Well, let’s find out.
Education and training
Begin by acquiring the essential qualifications and skills needed to get the job done.
Not all career paths in the industry require a college degree; some might need specific certifications or training programs.
It is best to look into what fits your interests and qualifications.
Gain experience
Get some hands-on experience by looking for internships, entry-level positions, or volunteer opportunities.
Experiences such as this will help prepare you for the future and give you a feel for how things work in real life.
Networking
One of the best ways to pivot in your career is through networking. You can receive advice from professionals and even get job opportunities and mentorship.
You can network by joining webinars, staying active on LinkedIn, and so on.
Stay updated
Keep yourself updated with the latest trends and technologies in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management. This field is constantly evolving, so it’s essential to stay ahead of the competition.
These are 4 of the simplest ways you can kickstart a career in e-commerce logistics and supply chain management.
Now, let’s quickly wrap up this piece.
Finally,
You have all the information you need to start a career in e-commerce logistics and work towards building a successful and fulfilling career in this exciting field.
Scared of starting?
Take the first step by choosing a career path today.
Further Reading:
Check out how IoT is impacting the eCommerce industry in this blog.
Blockchain is democratizing the eCommerce industry. Check out this blog to know more.
