job vacancies in logistics and distribution

Ahmed, graduate civil engineer

Originally from Nigeria, Ahmed graduated from the University of Liverpool with a civil engineering degree in 2004 and started work as a graduate trainee civil engineer for a large local authority in October 2005. He was one of the first international students accepted on to the Science and Engineering Graduate Scheme (SEGS), which allows international students in physical sciences, mathematics and engineering to remain in the UK for 12 months after their studies to pursue a career. Fifty interviews and a year later his perseverance was rewarded and he was offered a job advertised on the Graduate Prospects website. ‘My advice is, don’t give up! Sometimes I felt like the token black applicant but I learnt to be articulate and self-confident.’ Thanks to the SEGS programme getting a work permit was a speedy process for his new employer.

After a short induction into construction site management, Ahmed was placed in a traffic analysis role. ‘It’s a really broad job, using engineering software, analysing and predicting traffic flow, giving advice on development issues and co-ordinating traffic signal schemes.’ Six months later he is about to be seconded to work with a construction company contracted to build a major bypass.

Ahmed stresses that civil engineering is about being dynamic and flexible so applicants need to thrive under pressure, have a clear project focus and deliver results on time. Working in a supportive team and having great communication skills are definite plus factors.

‘My goal is to become chartered as soon as I can.’ Ahmed has a training agreement with the Institution of Civil Engineers. His work is supervised and reviewed, including off-site training courses and the inevitable exams. He advises, ‘If you are thinking of this type of transport role make sure you research what you are getting into. It’s often not an office job. When the weather turns bad you can’t stop and if you are working on-site, the hours can be rather unsocial. But there’s a clear career path, the pay is good and it’s what I’ve wanted to do since I was at school.’

Caroline, six sigma black belt

A visit to the university careers service in autumn 1999, during the final year of her MA in Classics at Cambridge University, encouraged Caroline to look at her interests and skills. Her interests in organising, planning, controlling systems, people and processes all seemed to lead her towards logistics.

Her first application, to Perkins Engines Ltd, part of the Caterpillar group, was successful. ‘Classics involves logical thinking and problem-solving so when I was presented with an assessment centre exercise on organising a warehouse layout I could identify and fit together the constraints. I would advise applicants to think about issues affecting the market the company operates in and consider logistical problems we come across in our everyday life, like stock-outs and late deliveries. Having a non-relevant degree should not put anyone off applying. There is a shortage of good applicants with the right transferable skills.’

Her first ‘real’ job, after moving around on the graduate scheme, was managing a team controlling parts from 75 worldwide suppliers. ‘I’m primarily a troubleshooter. The second week in, the supplier of a major component went into receivership. I had to convene emergency meetings to secure as much material as I could and find a new supplier, all within three very long days!’

A sponsored part-time MSc in Logistics, completed in 2003, gave Caroline the theoretical background. She is now working as a six sigma black belt, a methodology that uses statistical analysis to improve processes. ‘There are no dull days and my role is integral to company growth but balancing daily routines with a strategic role can be challenging. Logistics is central to the business and logistics roles generally offer responsibility and opportunity for progression. Maybe as a woman in a rather male world I had to work harder to start with but things are changing in the industry. Eventually, I hope to move into a product-responsible role and then perhaps back into logistics as a senior manager.’

Liam, station manager

Liam graduated with a first in politics from Manchester University in 2003. Having researched a variety of career options, he decided on passenger transport. ‘It looked to have a bright future and I am really interested in the political implications like environmental impact and new developments such as light railways so it seemed very relevant to my subject interest.’

The National Express graduate programme offers excellent support and, unlike some companies, the opportunity to experience working in a variety of travel systems. His advice to students applying for transport jobs is to go the extra step beyond basic careers research by reading annual reports and press releases, and to travel on the service in advance if possible so you have some personal opinions.

After three placements in the bus, coach and rail divisions, and a related number of house moves, Liam was placed in a hands-on role as duty station manager at Sheffield railway station, effectively running the station. After six months in Sheffield he was appointed to the ‘one’ railway team at Liverpool Street Station, London, where he is likely to stay for up to 18 months. ‘One of my current tasks is to research train cleaning, investigating the quality of turnaround, and driving up standards. I have found that leading by example really works and even scrubbing toilets can be exciting when there is a worthwhile goal!’

He comments, ‘Politics is a really relevant degree. I had a good knowledge of the structure of stakeholders in passenger transport, and my research and analytical skills are now really useful for preparing reports and investigating issues. The best part of this job, though, is working with and for people. Dealing with tough situations can be a challenge but it is rewarding to know I am doing my best to move the company forward.’