I intend to become a Logistic Specialist as I am currently doing a major in Business for Applied Arts and Science, Management, and Marketing. My concentration is on Logistics and Supply Chain Management. In this profession, the logistics specialist is responsible for maintaining logistics policies, coordinating in-house sales, and administering a control program. They are also accountable for overseeing the life cycle of products, including shipping, receiving, and preparation (Kain & Verma, 2018).
They maintain and establish minimum and maximum consumable inventory levels and assist in keeping logistics planning tasks. Logistics specialist develops their reports that show the cost of transportation on precise moves and projects. To become a logistics specialist and thrive, one must have a Bachelor’s degree in business and possess time management and interpersonal skills. One must also develop a deep understanding of the customers’ needs and ensure that the needs are met, creating a positive relationship.
The Council of Logistics Management (CLM) is an organization connected to Logistics practitioners, and its website is www.clm.org. To join this organization, one must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business, supply chain management, or system engineering. Certification is also necessary to join this organization. It demonstrates professional competence and knowledge of logistics. One can acquire this certification from the International Society of Logistics or APICS. One must have work experience in a field related to supply chain, logistics, or business.
The expertise acquired from support roles such as clerks or dispatchers is also necessary. Additionally, one can also join the organization if they have communication, customer service, organizational and problem-solving skills which are beneficial for a logistician. The organization provides skills in defining, enhancing, understanding, and developing logistics processes and providing a forum where logistics professionals can exchange ideas and concepts of the profession (Kain & Verma, 2018). It gives and supports research that leads to advanced knowledge and enhances supply chain performance and customer value. It holds annual conferences that educate and provide career development programs to create career opportunities in logistics management.
One of the ethical codes of The Council of Logistics Management is integrity which focuses on honesty and truthfulness. One must admit their mistakes and uphold honesty, which will help the company’s profit margin. The other ethical rule is accountability which is a core factor for a successful logistics profession. This applies to the employees and the stakeholders, and without responsibility, it can negatively affect the company’s integrity and reputation. Fairness is the other ethical rule where the logistic professionals should ensure they follow the antitrust laws to avoid unfair advantage. Leadership and respect are codes of ethics where an employee at a higher rank should show respect to the employees lower than them.
The significant provisions of the code are compliance and anti-corruption, which focus on the accuracy of finance and reports. The other important provision of the code is privacy and confidentiality, where disclosure of any information is illegal and might lead to termination. Lastly, employee practice is a significant provision of the code where the workplace must be free from harassment.
One of the consequences of failing to adhere to the code of conduct is demotion if the employee portrays minor acts of employee tardiness, insubordination, breach of fiduciary duties, discrimination, and incomplete work. They might be put in a lower position or rank from where they were before. Another consequence is that pay reduction when their annual pay is reduced to the previous income might be caused by theft or abuse of power. Termination is another consequence, especially if the employee takes part in acts of violence or carries weapons in the workplace (Kain & Verma, 2018). The most severe effect is when the law authorities are involved if violence has taken place or theft of essential commodities like money. The employee might be sentenced to several years in prison and fail to find a job after being realized in jail.
I have learned about being an ethical member of this logistics profession because one must ensure that customers are always satisfied by providing the availability of reverse flow of items in the Supply Chains and Networks through external and internal resources’ positioning costs. I have also learned that Logistics specialists should work together to create a logistics system in the present and the future.
Reference
Kain, R., & Verma, A. (2018). Logistics management in the supply chain–an overview. Materials Today: Proceedings, 5(2), 3811. Web.