logistics - profession and jobs

Logistics employees take care of the management and dispatch of goods. In this versatile profession, you ensure that all required goods are sufficiently available in the warehouse and that all deadlines are met. Transport, orders, and deliveries are always under your control.

your responsibilities 

How do all these packages and goods get from door to door? In the goods process, you take on the following tasks:

• loading and unloading
• you are ready with the forklift upon the arrival of goods. Behind the wheel, you ensure that all packages are loaded and arrive at the right place in the warehouse
• sorting and repackaging packages
• all goods have their designated place in the warehouse. Especially with large deliveries, sorting and repackaging take a lot of time
• picking and packing
• according to given orders, you put together new shipments and prepare them for shipping
• administrative tasks
• controlling data on the PC, ticking off orders, and entering new orders are tasks you gladly handle. This is also essential for a smoothly functioning flow of goods
• process optimization and troubleshooting

If your team leader has overlooked something or if a process is not running as it should, you notice it immediately and can solve the problems yourself or discuss them with the responsible person. Innovative technologies offer a variety of opportunities in logistics, especially if you're interested in them.

who are your colleagues?

In logistics, you always work as a team. You support each other, and together with other warehouse employees and the picking team, you ensure that everything runs smoothly. You also collaborate with team and warehouse managers, especially when it comes to problem-solving or signing documents.

The field is vast, and logistics professionals are in high demand. Your specific tasks largely depend on the company you work for, and of course, factors like age, experience, and education play a significant role.

The following logisticians are mainly involved in operational tasks:

• logistician EBA (Logistics Specialist with Federal Vocational Education and Training Certificate)
• logistician EFZ (Logistics Specialist with Federal Certificate of Competence)
• logistics assistant
• logistics employee
• warehouse employee
• forklift operator
• order picking warehouse employee
• warehouse employee for incoming and outgoing goods
• loader / unloader
• operations employee

On the other hand, planning and leadership roles are typically taken on by:

• logistics manager
• logistician, distribution, eidg. FA (logistics specialist, distribution, Swiss Federal Certificate of Advanced Studies)
• logistician, eidg. FA (logistics specialist, Swiss Federal Certificate of Advanced Studies)
• logistics specialist (logistikfachmann / logistikfachfrau)
• logistics specialist, eidg. FA (logistikfachfrau / logistikfachmann Swiss Federal Certificate of Advanced Studies)
• logistics office employee
• logistics team leader
• head of order picking
• head of incoming goods
• supply planner
• logistics coordinator
• supply chain specialist

The salary for logistics employees varies depending on education, age, and region. Different industries also offer varying pay rates. In Switzerland, logistics salaries are generally highest in the pharmaceutical industry. Additionally, your salary may include legal night or weekend allowances.

What can I earn as a logistics professional in permanent employment?

• With an EBA certification, the entry-level salary after completing the apprenticeship is around 3500 CHF to 3800 CHF.
• With an EFZ certification, it ranges from approximately 3750 CHF to 4100 CHF.

(Source: Recommendations of the Swiss Association for Vocational Education in Logistics).

On average, you can earn between 50,500 to 78,000 CHF per year as a logistician in Switzerland.

What can I earn as a logistics professional per hour?

On average, you can earn between 27 and 29 CHF per hour as a logistician.

In which industry can I earn the most as a logistician?

• medical / pharmaceutical
• industry
• food
• transport & traffic
• trade

What fringe benefits do I receive as a logistician?

Depending on the employer, you may receive various fringe benefits. These can include a free parking space, discounts in the canteen, or complimentary snacks and beverages.

To find out how much you can earn as a logistician, enter your age, position, industry, and other information to get the most accurate estimate and calculate your salary on salarium.ch.

Do you want to become a logistician? In Switzerland, you have two different educational paths available. These are the two- and three-year apprenticeships as a logistician:

• Logistician EBA, the Swiss Federal Vocational Education and Training Certificate for Logisticians (2 years)
• Logistician EFZ, the Swiss Federal Certificate of Competence for Logisticians (3 years)

The training takes place in the training company, vocational school, and in inter-company courses. Managing goods and everything related to it is the main focus of both apprenticeships. The three-year training provides more in-depth expertise, and you also take on more responsibility during and after the apprenticeship. The academic requirements for the two-year apprenticeship are slightly lower. During the apprenticeship as a logistician, you will also obtain the forklift driving license.

To take on more complex tasks or leadership roles in logistics, various further education options are available to you:

• logistician BP (Logistics Specialist with Federal Vocational Baccalaureate)
• logistician HFP (Logistics Specialist with Federal Higher Professional Education and Training Certificate)
• logistics Specialist with Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (Logistikfachmann /-frau BP)
• technician HF (Engineer with Higher Vocational Education and Training Certificate)
• university of applied sciences degree in economics

Due to the significant shortage of skilled workers in logistics, the field offers excellent opportunities for both career starters and career changers. Nowadays, logistics employees with or without formal education or experience are in high demand. Many new positions are continuously being created, and logistics departments are expanding. Moreover, this profession has a promising future, as the trend continues towards digitalization and the expansion of logistics centers.

Key qualities for success include physical fitness, German language skills, reliability, and a strong motivation. You will often begin your first job on an hourly wage basis. Many companies offer the chance for permanent employment later on if you like the company and the work. Additionally, there are opportunities for on-the-job training courses. At Randstad, you have excellent opportunities with the Temp Training program to acquire knowledge that will be useful in your future career.

Discover the logistics and competence center of the well-known online shop and observe the logisticians at work. Are you fascinated by the intersection of cutting-edge technology and online commerce? This could soon be your new workplace.

Have you gained extensive experience as a logistician? This is often crucial in the logistics industry. Those with several years of experience and a consistently good track record can quickly take on more responsibilities or become team leaders in certain companies.

Furthermore, after completing the Logistik EFZ certification, various further education options are available to you, enabling you to enter related fields or managerial positions. These further education opportunities range from various courses at vocational and technical schools to professional examinations and even studying at a university of applied sciences. These further qualifications will undoubtedly enhance your career prospects. As a dispatcher, certified supply chain manager, or operations manager in transport and logistics, you will take on even more responsibility and additional areas of work.

how can you advance your career as a logistician?

Your development potential in logistics is significant, especially if you are interested in process optimization and digital trends. Barcode scanners linked to databases are already in use, and RFID technologies are being applied further. These technologies allow for real-time tracking of product data, such as temperature or location, during transportation to customers. The logistics industry has undergone significant changes in recent years, and in the future, logistics processes will be increasingly automated. Larger companies already use warehouse robots, cleaning robots, or drones, and other application possibilities and technologies are constantly being explored.

If you want to apply as a logistics employee, the following qualities will be helpful:

• practical understanding
• good German language skills
• manual and organizational skills
• reliability, independence, and responsibility
• physical fitness and resilience
• team player
• good communication with customers and suppliers
• willingness to work in shifts depending on the company
• interest in digital technologies

There are many good reasons to work as a logistician via Randstad:

• exciting jobs with well-known companies
• a reliable contact person whenever you need one; personal advice matters
• attractive employment conditions and good social benefits
• training courses and personal development opportunities
• clear information in the myRandstad app
• if you have a fixed-term contract, there is often a chance of a permanent extension. Many popular companies also directly recruit their employees through Randstad.
• at many companies, you receive discounts on meals and free parking.
• your further education budget as a logistician at Randstad.
• if you work as a logistician for Randstad, you have access to training courses.
• As part of Randstad's Temp Training, you can attend various workshops and courses. your personal Randstad consultant will support you in selecting and registering for the courses. Randstad finances the course for you, provided you pass the course examination. This way, you can obtain, for example, a forklift driver's license, improve your German language skills, or learn more about process optimization - all while working as a logistician.

Have you found your dream job as a logistician? Not only qualifications and certificates determine the success of your applications. Careful, error-free, and personalized documents will undoubtedly enhance your job search. Here are some useful tips to optimize your chances:

Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about the job as an logistician.