Singapore’s strategic location and world-class infrastructure have cemented its place as a logistics hub of our region, if not globally. Additionally, the spread of Covid-19 has companies eager to capitalise on and develop new receipt and delivery processes, making the logistics industry a minefield of opportunity.
Some figures include:
- 1,300 jobs available in Singapore’s logistics sector amid Covid-19 pandemic; 1 in 3 for PMETs
- Logistics firms such as Moovaz Logistics and Ninja Logistics are leveraging technology such as artificial intelligence and cloud computing to create new growth areas
- In 2019, the logistics industry contributed a value add of $6.8 billion – amounting to 1.4 per cent of the gross domestic product – and employed more than 86,000 workers
- 600 ports in 123 countries are connected to Singapore by shipping lines
- 200 or more shipping lines in Singapore handle one-seventh of the world’s container transshipment output
- 1st in Asia in 2018 according to the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index
Hiring in logistics
The logistics sector is experiencing a boom in hiring as well, with both PMET and non-PMET roles on offer. PMET jobs include regional business sales managers and business development managers, with monthly salaries of between $4,000 and $7,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Meanwhile, logistics managers earn about $3,700 to $7,250 a month.
However, the bulk of the logistics jobs on offer are for non-PMET roles, as the sector requires a workforce to carry out functions such as warehousing, transportation, and value-added services like labelling and packaging.
These non-PMET jobs include transport clerks, who typically receive monthly salaries of $1,900 to $2,400. Material and freight handling workers earn between $1,600 and $2,350 monthly.
Therefore, the logistics sector has shown itself to be robust, and hiring should continue into the long-term.
What jobs are available in logistics?
Logistics enables the flow of goods, making sure products move from point of origin to point of consumption in an efficient and timely manner. A career in logistics requires detailed organisation, understanding complexity, and a thorough industry background.
Jobs include:
- Degree in Logistics or Supply Chain
- 2-3 years experience
- $2,500 – $4,000/month
- A Business Analyst deals with a company’s data to either identify problems and/or forecast results. Analysts are also expected to recommend solutions to their management and assist other departments, so the ability to work in a team is vital for this job. Although it is normally an entry-level position, a Business Analyst may take on more varied and complex tasks after some years of experience.
- Diploma in Logistics or Supply Chain
- 3-4 years experience
- $3,000 – $4,000/month
- A Logistics Engineer may also be referred to by their specific work portfolio, such as Technical Engineer or Operations Engineer. In logistics, this position requires the engineer to evaluate and suggest improvements to supply chain and logistics systems and sometimes, present and implement them. As they generally manage multiple projects, good time management is a must in this field of work. For Logistic Engineers, promotional opportunities to management-level roles abound.
- Diploma or Degree in Supply Chain or Business
- 2-3 years experience
- $2,500 – $3,000/month
- A Procurement Executive’s job is to purchase for the company. They source for materials, evaluate suppliers and subcontractors, perform quality checks and maintain records of purchasing. Their position gives them a detailed understanding of the company’s supply lines, and their insights are valuable and often lead to more efficient operating procedures. A keen eye for detail and understanding of supply chain logistics are essential for this job.
- Diploma or Degree in Logistics or Supply Chain
- 4-5 years of experience
- $5,000-$6,500/month
- A management-level position answering to C-suite, a Logistics Manager is expected to lead a team to achieve operational targets regarding everything from market share to product quality. Logistics Managers must constantly be on the lookout to streamline, enhance and develop processes to achieve their goals. As companies tend to value industry experience for this position, the work of a Logistics Manager is very much tied to the industry he or she is in and requires technical knowledge of industry trends.
What qualifications are needed for a career in this sector?
Most postings indicated that a Diploma or Degree in Logistics or Supply Chain was necessary, especially for the higher-tier jobs. For jobs requiring complex work or management-level responsibility, a Degree was necessary.
However, Manpower Minister Josephine Teo has noted that employers in the industry are open to jobseekers with working experience from other sectors. “So when they hire people from many different industries, they have actually got more points of connection with their clients, because they are more likely to be able to understand the clients’ requirements and therefore to consider how they can update their products and services in order to meet the clients’ needs,” she said.
What career opportunities are there in the sector?
Singapore has the reputation of being a powerful and efficient logistics hub in Asia, and that is not set to change soon. Hence, employment in logistics remains steady and those willing to work in the sector are likely to go far.
Also, logistics firms are increasingly embracing e-commerce services and technology. These companies have embarked on business transformation and digitalisation projects to develop new capabilities, expand their capacity and prepare for post-pandemic recovery. To support these expansion and transformation efforts, these companies continued to hire despite the downturn.
Apply for a career in logistics now!