Logistics Analysts

13-1081.02

Analyze product delivery or supply chain processes to identify or recommend changes. May manage route activity including invoicing, electronic bills, and shipment tracing.

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

• 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.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - IBM SPSS Statistics 🔥; Minitab; Optimization software; StataCorp Stata; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
• Business intelligence and data analysis software - IBM Cognos Impromptu; Microsoft Power BI ; MicroStrategy; Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition; Qlik Tech QlikView; Tableau
• Cloud-based data access and sharing software - Microsoft SharePoint 🔥
• Data base reporting software - Reporting software; SAP Crystal Reports
• Data base user interface and query software - Amazon Redshift 🔥; Microsoft Access ; Microsoft SQL Server 🔥; Structured query language SQL
• Development environment software - Microsoft Visual Basic 🔥; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA 🔥
• Electronic mail software - IBM Notes; Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Oracle Hyperion; Oracle JD Edwards EnterpriseOne; Oracle PeopleSoft 🔥; Oracle PeopleSoft Financials; SAP Business Objects; SAP software
• Financial analysis software - Oracle E-Business Suite Financials
• Geographic information system - ESRI ArcLogistics
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Graphics software
• Inventory management software - Inventory control software
• Materials requirements planning logistics and supply chain software - 3PL Central; Cadre Technologies Accuplus Integrated Distribution Logistics System; Fleet management software; Four Soft 4S eLog; Four Soft 4S VisiLog; IntelliTrack 3PL; Logisuite Enterprise; Logisuite Forwarder; Oracle E-Business Suite Logistics; Warehouse management system WMS
• Object or component oriented development software - Advanced business application programming ABAP
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Microsoft Windows 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Process mapping and design software - Flow chart software; Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥; Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel ; Spreadsheet software
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information - Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing General Physical Activities - Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
• Handling and Moving Objects - Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Controlling Machines and Processes - Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment - Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment - Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the 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.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public - Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Maintain data in information systems or databases.
• Monitor inventories of products or materials.
• Monitor organizational processes.
• Analyze logistics processes.
• Advise others on logistics topics.
• Prepare operational reports.
• Obtain information about goods or services.
• Coordinate logistics or other business operations.
• Discuss business strategies, practices, or policies with managers.
• Calculate data to inform organizational operations.
• Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency.
• Apply mathematical models of financial or business conditions.
• Develop financial analysis methods.
• Analyze industry trends.
• Establish organizational guidelines or policies.
• Prepare financial documents.
• Evaluate logistics methods to reduce environmental impact.
• Develop business or financial information systems.
• Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production.
• Execute sales or other financial transactions.