Logistics coordinator: duties, salary and education

The main duty of a logistics coordinator is to manage the supply chain. This means overseeing the flow of goods, services and the information related to them, from planning to keeping track of execution.

But it is worth remembering that the distribution of activities and of those in charge of them varies in each company. In larger operations, the role may be closer to coordinating purchasing, warehousing, distribution and financial forecasting; in others, the focus falls on transport, service providers and the delivery routine.

For example, in some companies, the coordinator's duties are similar to those of a fleet manager, since they are hired for the transport area. Even so, in general, it is a more administrative than operational task, focused on costs, deadlines, partners and indicators.

Learn more about:

• What are a logistics coordinator's duties?
• What is a logistics coordinator's salary?
• What does it take to become a logistics coordinator?

What are a logistics coordinator's duties?

As mentioned, the duties tend to differ from company to company. However, in most cases, there are some tasks that are always included in the logistics coordinator's routine. Among them are coordinating logistics operations, analyzing processes, keeping track of plans and results and monitoring the performance of partners or teams involved in the operation.

Controlling the budget

Thinking of strategies that minimize transport and distribution spending is part of the job of anyone in an administrative or management position in logistics and transport operations.

That is because the industry has high costs at various stages. So the more the company can plan, avoid rework and use the available budget on factors that are really necessary, the better. In roles linked to the supply chain, forecasting material costs and supporting cost lists or standards may also be part of the job.

The logistics coordinator is responsible for tasks such as:

• Working with the company's billing and receivables;
• Planning warehouse and/or distribution center management;
• Managing service providers;
• Controlling the maintenance of the company's machinery and vehicles.

So it makes sense that they are also one of the main people involved in controlling the company's budget, especially when their decisions influence purchasing, warehousing, distribution, safety, customer service and process accuracy.

Managing and renewing the fleet

In some cases, the logistics coordinator is also responsible for the fleet. That is, decisions on vehicle maintenance and replacement are also part of this professional's routine.

For example, when trucks sit idle in the parking lot for a long period, the coordinator assesses selling them to avoid a loss. This analysis should consider the operation's real demand, the cost of keeping the asset, the need for availability and the impact on distribution.

The same happens when a new purchase is required: they are the one who assesses the company's needs and acquires the vehicle, as well as setting and making the budget available for it, within the limits defined by the company.

It is also their duty to make sure the logistics company has a fleet suited to its demands, expanding whenever necessary and keeping the fleet from growing without a clear operational need.

Keeping track of operational process indicators

Looking for ways to optimize the work routine through more modern systems or apps improves operational time and can bring more confidence to day-to-day tasks.

That is because technology is created to organize records, reduce rework and make analysis easier, while entirely manual controls are more susceptible to human error.

In addition, with the help of the integration and centralization of data in a single view, as many systems allow today, the coordinator can keep track of the company's and the fleet's metrics, identifying items that may be out of line with expectations. This tracking helps report on plans, progress and results, as well as supporting the continuous improvement of logistics processes.

This way, they can look for companies that offer modern system and app options that make logistics management easier, without losing sight of the fact that the tool should serve the operation's routine and objectives.

What is a logistics coordinator's salary?

There are 3 key pieces of information for understanding a logistics coordinator's salary in Brazil:

• In general, this professional has an average salary of R$ 4,069.89 per month.
• A starting salary in this career is usually around R$ 3,500.00.
• With educational improvement and experience, they may earn up to R$ 7,200.00 per month.

It is important to remember:

Salary figures for any position in logistics and transport companies vary according to level of education and specialization, company size, region, the scope of the role and responsibility for the fleet, warehouse, distribution or supply chain. That is why the numbers should be treated as a reference from the source cited and compared with current job openings before any career or hiring decision.

What does it take to become a logistics coordinator?

Generally, a logistics coordinator enters this career by starting in another position within the same company. For example, starting in roles such as assistant, analyst or supervisor.

From then on, some characteristics are observed and draw attention for the coordinator role, such as:

• Leadership ability;
• Organization;
• Courtesy and empathy;
• Being communicative and visionary;
• Showing responsibility;
• Strategic and agile thinking;
• Having good relationships within the company;
• Advanced knowledge of logistics and transport.

In addition, having an undergraduate degree in Business Administration or Production Engineering, along with technical training in logistics, is common for people in this role. In occupational references for supply chain management, many roles require a bachelor's degree, although not all of them follow this rule strictly.

According to data from Catho, a Brazilian job site, 51% of those hired as logistics coordinators have a degree in business administration and at least 21% have a graduate degree. Beyond education, career progression usually depends on the ability to coordinate operations, analyze logistics processes, deal with partners and turn operational data into practical decisions.

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