Paul Kelly
Transport shift manager
Employer: Exel
Qualifications: business studies; MA marketing
In a nutshell
I am responsible for the day-to-day operations in the warehouse, making sure we've got enough people to do the job and get the goods out of the door on time. Man-management is a big part of my role. It's a labour-intensive industry and you need to be able to manage very challenging individuals sometimes, which I found quite difficult at first. It has been a very steep learning curve but I think this helps you develop your management skills.
Logistics careers
- Consultancy – an option once you've gained experience in operational or supply-chain management.
- Manufacturing – includes materials management and purchasing.
- Retail – searching for competitive prices, reliability and quality.
- Third-party logistics – dealing with all aspects of a company's outsourced supply-chain. Roles include logistics & transport manager, transportation planner and warehouse manager.
Best bits
- It's not a nine-to-five job - it's much more challenging.
- The satisfaction of knowing you're making a difference and adding value to the supply chain.
Worst bits
- The hours - it's 24-hours a day, 365 days a year!