Graduate Transport & Logistics Jobs

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Helping you find a career in transport & logistics

Transport and logistics is an industry that often exists in the background, viewed only through spreadsheets and time schedules.

Logistics is a major sector that plays an essential role in the UK and global economy. Working in tandem with transport, it deals with the safe and efficient movement of people and products, supplying many companies with the items they need daily. This can include passengers that travel by road, rail, air and sea, as well as products that are imported and exported through the logistic supply chain.

The logistics and transport sector enables management of the supply chain by ensuring that goods or services are available where and when they are needed and that they are in good condition. This industry operates 24 hours and doesn't stop, so shift work is very common.

The sector diverse. There are lots of different areas you can move into. The areas include planning, strategy, finance, marketing and information technology..

When it comes to manufacturing a product, you can break logistical roles into five key areas:

Sourcing
Transportation
Storage
Production
Distribution The work can be stressful but also highly rewarding. You should also be willing to take on responsibility early and have the ability to see the bigger picture so that you know the impact of your decisions.

N Written by Navdeep

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Skills required for a career in the Transport & logistics industry

Working in logistics and transport requires a large number of general skills, regardless of which one of the many career paths you choose to pursue.

Logistics is all about making sure that each job gets done in the right order and at the right time, so you'll need to be organised, good at planning, be able to see the bigger picture and be great with people.

If you're a natural at organising things, have an eye for detail and a passion for people, then a career in this sector could be perfect for you.

Depending on your specific job, you may also need to demonstrate skills in managing people, research and mathematical, statistical or scientific interpretation.

An awareness of the built environment and how supply chain and logistics can be ethical and green for all those involved is increasingly important.

Other essential skills include:

Typical Transport & logistics career progression routes

Many employers offer fast track schemes for university graduates to enter the logistics and transport sector. The application criteria and specific detaiIs will depend on the employer.

This is a sector that doesn't require a lot of training once you're in a company. Moving up will depend on your aptitude, organisation and practical skills.

Typical Career Development for the Transport & logistics industry

You won't need further training for the majority of jobs in this industry, anything you need is likely to be offered on the job.

There are a couple of exceptions. Careers like airline pilot and those within the merchant navy will require further training.

How much do Transport & logistics professionals get paid?

Salaries in the logistics sector vary largely depending on your specific job. According to Payscale.com, averages wages in logistics are as follows:

Logistics coordinator - £21,468
Logistics manager - £31,623
Logistics specialist - £30,060
Transportation coordinator - £23,369
Transportation planner - £25,590
Operations manager: £34,441
Warehouse manager: £27,249
General/ operations manager: £46,979
Office administrator: £17,228
Import/ export clerk: £17,702
Office manager: £29,067
Business development manager: £38,000

On a structured graduate scheme, you're likely to start with a salary of around £20,000, whichever part of the sector you work in.

What qualifications do I need for a Transport & logistics career

Logistics is an easy industry to enter at a high level with a degree. Any of the following subjects might be useful:

Business
Management
Economics
Engineering
Logistics
Environmental sciences
Geography
Maths
Statistics
Town planning
Social sciences

Whilst many graduate schemes typically ask for a 2.1 from their applicants, logistics and transport is one of the few industries that's often happy to take on graduates with a 2.2.

How to get there

Work experience within large logistics or transport companies, for example in the warehouse or in administration, should be easy to organise and can set you apart from other candidates applying for the same position.

Contact a number of companies and ask if you can shadow a member of staff. If you're doing a degree with a sandwich year, this is a good opportunity to find experience in logistics that can set you apart when you graduate.

To get a role in this sector you need to display drive and a passion for logistics. You need to be able to explain why you've chosen to work in the field. Make sure you know about the company you are applying to and who their main customers and competitors are. Also research the role, the programme and the environment you'll be working in.

Transport & logistics industry bodies

United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA)
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
British International Freight Association
Logistics Manager
Freight Transport Association
The Transport Association
Logistics and Supply Chain
Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation
Institute of Transport Administration

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