How to find logistic jobs in NZ

Logistics jobs are all about managing the movement of goods through the supply chain. You’ll be organising inventory, shipment, storage and delivery of products and working with several providers to bring goods to customers. 

You might be working inhouse at a company as their logistics expert, or you could be working for a third party logistics company, and helping other companies manage their logistics. There are lots of chances for progression in a logistics career, with more senior jobs typically managing larger parts of the supply chain. 

At their core, most logistics careers are all about processes, so the people who thrive in these careers are usually: 

• Organised, process-driven and analytical. 

• Sound communicators, with the ability to work in a team, since most jobs involve liaising with other parties to execute and improve complex supply chains. 

• Able to follow and create schedules and plans, make decisions regularly (sometimes under time pressure). 

• Good at thinking mathematically, analysing data or solving complex problems using critical thinking.

If you’re starting at a junior level you may not have the full set of skills right away, and that’s fine. As long as you’re willing to learn you should pick them up as you spend time in the job and advance through your career. 

Generally speaking, there are two ways to get into a career in the logistics industry:

• You could get a warehouse job, organising and moving stock with no experience, which could lead into more senior positions within the logistics industry. 

• Or you could gain a logistics qualification, which may enable you to enter the industry in a higher paying, more senior position. 

• Level 4 Logistics and Freight Forwarding: A 17 week full time course, available for part time study at most polytechnics throughout New Zealand. 

• The New Zealand Certificate in International Freight Logistics. A level four course that is typically suited to people with some experience in the industry or prior study and is available at most polytechnics. 

• Bachelor of commerce majoring in operations in supply chain management. A university level course that’s available in some form at most of Aotearoa New Zealand’s major universities, including Auckland, Lincoln and Wellington. This will typically take 3-4 years and may help you enter the industry with a more advanced role such as an operations analyst, a supply chain consultant or a production and scheduling manager. 

If you’ve got your mind made up and you’re set on working in the industry it’s worth speaking to some potential employers early in the process. Explain what your aspirations are, and what qualifications they would specifically value, and whether there’s a chance of them offering you work experience.