Career Zone

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Logistics and Supply Chain Management

If you are looking for a career with excellent development and progression opportunities in a fast-moving industry, Logistics and Supply Chain Management (SCM) could be for you. Roles in logistics and SCM can frequently be found in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector.  

Roles in Logistics and SCM involve the movement of goods within supply chains, making operational improvements, enhancing customer service and delivering competitive advantages for organisations. Within these areas, there are a wide range of interesting career paths and development opportunities. This is a fast-moving sector, characterised by working to tight deadlines and rigorous schedules. 

Logistics and SCM both involve the movement, storage and delivery of goods, services or information from the supplier to the manufacturer and finally to the retailer or consumer as efficiently as possible. But there are key differences are in the scope and focus of the work involved in each area. Logistics generally covers one activity within supply chain management and is focussed on the efficient and cost-effective delivery of goods to the customer. SCM covers a variety of activities from the development of raw materials into finished goods, from supplier to warehouse, and then customers. 

Blockchain technology can be important for some logistics and supply chain roles as it allows for enhanced transparency, trust, efficiency and security in tracking supply chain networks, for example tracing food from farm to fork or confirming source material origins to ensure ethical sourcing.  

Graduate roles in Logistics and SCM are usually open to graduates from all disciplines, although some employers and roles require a degree in logistics and/or transport/distribution management or supply chain management. A postgraduate degree can be useful, particularly if your undergraduate degree is unrelated.  

Some of these links might be helpful to inform your understanding of this work area:  

If you are interested in these roles you might also be curious to read  more about the following: 

Skills employers look for

Every employer is different so there are no definitive lists here. These are meant as a guide and should be considered in addition to fully exploring role requirements outlined in person specification, job description and advert for each role you consider applying for. 

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Proactive mindset.
  • Ability to work in high-pressure environment.
  • Adaptability and openness to change.
  • Time management and organisation. 

To develop these skills, remember Career Zone offers a range of Personal and Professional Development sessions which are available to book on Handshake and run at least once per term.  Please also read through the sections about Gaining Experience and Further Study and Professional Development to discover how you can develop your skills through experience and by gaining further knowledge or qualifications.

Gaining Experience

All experiences ranging from volunteering, active involvement in clubs/societies can help you to develop relevant and transferable skills. You may wish to consider involvement in  (suggested subtitles below) 

University of Exeter Employability Schemes 

Volunteering 

Voluntary work experience will give you an opportunity to develop your communication, organisation and other skills.  Perhaps you might also be able to analyse data or make suggestions for improved charity processes which would provide useful experiences for a career in consultancy.   

Speculative applications and where to find opportunities 

Undertaking relevant work experience will also allow you to develop new skills and gain a valuable insight into the sector. As jobs and opportunities are not always advertised, it can be useful to develop your networking skills and apply speculatively. Before visiting the sites below you may find it useful to read our Researching employers page. 

Finding Part-time Work  

Many students work part-time during their studies. Part-time jobs are often in the hospitality or retail sector where you can gain transferrable interpersonal, communication and teamwork skills.   

Search for part-time work here: 

  • Handshake.
  • General job sites such as Find a Job or Indeed (filter on “part-time” and “Exeter” or “Penryn”).
  • Identify and call into local businesses with your CV to ask about part-time jobs.
  • Attend the part-time / casual jobs fair, held twice yearly on Streatham Campus.
  • Penryn Campus Careers Fairs. 

Virtual Work Experience 

  • Forage provides short virtual internships in a range of sectors, with opportunities to connect with employers.
  • The Bright Network provides virtual internships in a range of sectors and fast-track opportunities for graduate programmes and internships for virtual-intern alumni. Look out for the Bright Network annual June internship week.

Finding advertised graduate roles, placements and internships

Competition can be strong, especially for entry-level positions. Use the following resources to find advertised vacancies and research employers.  

For general information about finding graduate opportunities, please visit our Graduate Jobs page.

 

Graduate schemes and internships 

Placements  

If you are interested in finding out more about work placements, you can also access the Work Placements SharePoint via Single Sign-On. This resource covers all aspects of credit-bearing work experiences as part of your degree, including what a placement is, how to apply for them, and bespoke information for international students or those interested in working abroad.  

Recruitment Consultants

There are a wide range of recruiters who advertise logistics and supply chain roles and they often advertise graduate and entry-level positions.  

Further sources of support 

If you are an international student, visit our international webpages for help finding opportunities both in the UK and globally. 

To find opportunities outside the UK use GoinGlobal.

Further study and professional development

Some individuals decide to undertake further study to develop their skills and knowledge of the sector and related occupations. Not all roles or employers will require this, so it is important to research entry requirements and employer preferences before committing to additional training or qualifications. Use the sites below to research your further study options.  

Advice 

If you are considering postgraduate or doctoral level study before entering your chosen sector, please visit our Postgraduate Study page for more information about choosing further study.     

Information and links from professional bodies 

If you have studied a related degree, check if your course is accredited by one of the professional bodies. Being a member of a professional body is voluntary; however, it can be valuable for developing networks, continuing your professional development, and generally keeping up to date with what's happening in the sector.