Logistics manager for OneSource

By MARK STORY

Name: Ross Fearon

Age: 40

Role: Logistics manager for OneSource

Working hours: 7am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Average pay: Depending on experience and the size of the organisation, ranges from $60,000 to $120,000.


Qualifications and institution: A diploma in either supply chain management or logistics is becoming a minimum entry point. I have a Diploma in Logistics from Massey University.

Career prospects: Senior internal logistics support roles within fast-moving consumer goods organisations or similar roles within third-party logistics providers (in warehousing or transportation). As I'm at the top of my career ladder at OneSource (within logistics), my next step could be logistics manager within a larger organisation.

Q. What do you do?

A. I'm in the service game. My job is to help co-ordinate the supply of product from source through to end customer. That means overseeing a small support team and third-party suppliers in the procurement, importing, warehousing and distribution of products for the company's leading brands. I report directly to the chief financial officer and have six direct reports. While no two days are the same, the main goal is to ensure there is sufficient stock by optimising inventory levels and liaising with key suppliers. I spend around 20 per cent of any given day in meetings with suppliers, warehousing or transport providers. Other regular activities include: reviewing inventory levels, clearing invoices, looking for system improvements within present projects, checking obsolete stock, and checking for "stock-outs" or back orders.

Q. Why did you choose this job?

A. After 21 years in the armed forces it was time for a change. My present job was a logical progression of the work I was doing in the Army in stores and logistics management. I joined OneSource after returning from a nine-month offshore stint in Asia helping to repatriate West Timorese back into East Timor.

Q. What skills do you need to become a logistics manager?

A. My job is to provide internal support to mostly front-line staff. That's why it's important to have lots of initiative and well-developed people skills. These are especially useful when negotiating with suppliers/providers and getting the best out of your team-members. Because I'm dealing with a lot of figures and analysing data, good problem solving and numeric skills are essential.

Q. Best part of your job?

A. On a professional level, it's making a notable difference. Logistics is a service game, so it's my job to optimise the value of supply chain and logistic systems for the organisation. For example, because of system improvement the logistics spend is down 22 per cent. On a personal level, I enjoy the camaraderie and sharing successes in a team environment.

Q. Most challenging/difficult part of your job?

A. The market is constantly moving, so getting the forecasting right can be tricky. Trying to stay ahead of the organisation's sales needs and expectations is a constant battle, especially where there are always new initiatives in technology and marketing.

Q. What training do you get?

A> Five months into joining OneSource three years ago I did a mini-MBA - via SmartSims - in marketing, finance and resource planning. The only other training is through logistics seminars. Most of the training at this level is external and I'm hoping to start a Masters in Logistics at Massey next year.

Q. Any interesting one-off projects?

A. I was involved in introducing new technology to technicians that resulted in significant cost savings and productivity improvements.

Q. What advice would you give someone considering this career?

A. Learning on the job could be a slower career track. I recommend getting a formal education in either logistics or supply chain management and then balancing that with practical work experience.

This job could easily be perceived as boring - sitting in a warehouse waiting for something to happen - but the more you get into the management of logistics, the more interesting and challenging the work becomes.