Logistics department and its functions

In recent years, there has been a need for specialists in the field of logistics. This is a new profession, which some seem strange. But in reality there is nothing complicated in the work of the logistician. This specialty is in demand, and the number of vacancies on labor exchanges takes from 2 to 10 percent of the total. Practically every company in any field of activity needs a logistics department. He can perform various functions depending on the specialization.

Large companies usually have a logistics department as an independent unit. It presents all specialists in this field. It can include drivers, dispatchers, ordinary logisticians and logistics directors. Smaller organizations are limited to small units or individual employees who perform the functions of logisticians and are listed in a department close to the destination (transport department, warehouse, etc.)

Sometimes the logistics department can perform the functions of external relations managers or deal with the execution of customs documents.

The manager of external economic relations deals with the document circulation associated with the sale or supply, establishes links with transport companies, suppliers, insurance companies, banks, etc. Therefore, this post is called "manager of logistics and external economic relations."

The logistics department can not be considered an auxiliary structure. This is one of the activities of any company. There are firms that provide services in this area. They organize logistics activities in other companies.

The logistics department has a certain structure. Usually at the head of each of them there is a leader who belongs to the highest level of management. These are directors, vice-presidents, chiefs, etc. They organize and control the work of the units, the formation of the company's policy, which corresponds to the functions and criteria of logistics.

Then follows the logistics managers. They are divided into two parts. Logistics system engineers are engaged in the development of routes for the movement of goods, working on the storage of products with minimal costs. Logistics-users are engaged in direct problem solving with the use of developed programs.

The next category of employees of the department in question is the dispatchers, drivers and employees of the transport department and warehouses. They deal with the shipment of products or the reception of raw materials and materials, as well as the delivery of goods to customers.

Having analyzed the concept of "logistics", what kind of structure it is and what its functions are, it is necessary to dwell on the duties of the employees of this department.

Director of Logistics, who can act as the chief of the transport department, is engaged in general management, control over the implementation of assigned tasks, and the search for optimal route schemes.

Employees of the middle level perform the analysis of schemes and routes, choosing the most profitable. They organize and manage the logistics process within the warehouse and other divisions of the department. These specialists must develop new schemes and offer them to higher-level supervisors for consideration.

The leading logistics manager is involved in planning the procurement and sale of goods necessary for the continuous production process. His duties include the analysis of the sales market, the development of pricing policy, the preparation of reporting documentation.

Dispatchers of the transport department are engaged in organizing a permanent timetable for the work of transport, drawing up documentation for the transport of goods, taking into account the fuel and lubricants and working hours of the drivers-freight forwarders.

This is all that the logistician does to ensure a continuous production process and uninterrupted delivery of products to customers.