Engineers Preferred Over Managers for Logistics

With the cutting-edge technology entering into e-commerce industry, operations nowadays has become more globalized. As a result, more and more franchises are looking for engineers instead of managers to take of logistics and operations. Needless to say, it has become a more specialized job now. One which needs a specialist at hand. So along with business acumen, today’s e-commerce managers need a sharp technical grasp over things.

Why has it reached this point?

Key skills for traditional commerce-dominated field include analytics skills and understanding of Blockchain technologies. Some of the major job roles include handling supply chain operations, warehouse management, transportation, managing unmanned and automated vehicles, digital transactions etc.

Expert Opinion

Despite being dependent on the latest technologies, the logistics and supply chain industry is among the few which will create more jobs as the automation rises in future, says Neeraj Anand, head of the department, Transportation Management, School Of Business, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies (UPES), Uttrakhand.

“There will be more specialized jobs with the advancement of technology in this sector. There is a requirement of labor across fields as companies face a shortage of people at the posts of supply chain analysts, warehouses managers, distribution center managers etc,” adds Anand.

Perception of Logistics and Transportation

Management courses have changed over the years. “Earlier, people were not aware of these job roles and hence there were not as many applications for the MBA course (which was started in 2008). But with the e-commerce boom and the birth of Flipkart, the perception of people changed. Now students come prepared with a focus in mind,” says Anand.

While the institute receives most applications from Commerce stream students, it is the Science stream students who get picked most. “While the minimum package after doing an MBA in Logistics Management is Rs 8 lakh per annum but the students with technology background tend to get higher packages which can go up to 14 LPA,” says Anand.

No place for women

Women, however, are yet to make a mark in the core area, according to Anand. “There are still a lesser number of women candidates who opt for core jobs. They often opt for customer handling, spreadsheet modeling and optimising jobs. This is because they many families still do not allow their daughters to work in remote locations, which is prerequisite of the job,” he adds.

Why study logistics?

Apart from being a master’s level programme, Logistics is also preferred by the working professionals, most form tech-firms.

“While we collaborate with top B-schools across India to provide MBA programmes in Logistics, there is also an increased demand from working professionals for a certified course in supply chain Managers. Most of the working professionals are from multinational technology firms. The SCM PRO Certification programme is at par with best global practice,” said Venkatesh Seshadri, head supply chain consulting, CII – Institute of Logistics.

Stating that there is an acute shortage of supply chain managers he said, we are planning to create an online knowledge space soon where standalone programmes for working professionals and graduates would be available.

Source: Times of India