Start Your Career in Logistics and Supply Chain Management in Arizona
Before a product or service reaches its destination, it moves through the supply chain, which begins with the design process and ends with delivery. Logisticians help manage this process by overseeing the product’s life cycle and using both time and money wisely to complete the project.
Entry-level logistician jobs typically require applicants to hold a bachelor’s degree. Some employers, however, may be willing to hire individuals with an associate’s degree or equivalent work experience and may assist new hires in continuing their education. While a master’s degree is not necessary, these degrees can help people advance in their careers. Most logisticians have degrees in business, operations management or supply chain management. Students in Arizona can consider the following degree programs.
While a master’s degree is not necessary, these degrees can help people advance in their careers. Logisticians with a master’s degree can find jobs with higher salaries and more responsibility. Most logisticians have degrees in business, operations management or supply chain management. Students in Arizona can consider the following degree programs.
Arizona graduates who want to pursue professional logistician careers have many opportunities from which they may choose. According to the Arizona Department of Administration, employment is extremely competitive with about 200 people competing for every 100 career openings.
Supply Chain Management Degree Arizona Options
There are several bachelor’s degree programs in Arizona that will prepare students for a logistician job. Here are some options to consider:
- Northern Arizona University. At Northern Arizona University, students who have completed an associate’s degree can pursue a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Logistics and Supply Chain management. Their online Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management program provides students with knowledge and skills in all aspects of supply chain management including logistics technology, demand planning, global sourcing and inventory control. Applicants who do not hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree can apply to the school’s Executive MBA program to prepare for a graduate-level degree.
- Arizona State University’s online supply chain management program offers a bachelor’s degree in the field. Applicants must have at least three years of relevant experience for this program; however, it is not required to have an associate’s degree. The program consists of 36 credits and students can complete the relevant online courses in two years or less.
- University of Phoenix’s Bachelor of Science in Supply Chain Management online program provides students with knowledge and skills in all aspects of supply chain management including logistics technology, demand planning, global sourcing and inventory control. Applicants who do not hold an appropriate bachelor’s degree can apply to the school’s Executive MBA program to prepare for a graduate-level degree .
- Arizona State University-Tempe. ASU Tempe offers a bachelor’s degree in General Business Administration and Management, which prepares students for jobs as logisticians.
- Pima Community College‘s Associate of Applied Science in Business includes courses that provide students with the skills necessary for entry-level logistics jobs. The degree requires 60 credits, which can be completed in two years or less. Pima’s locations in Arizona include Tucson, Douglas and Yuma.
- Southern Arizona Community College offers two associate degree programs that are relevant to this field. The Associate of Applied Business is designed for the student who wants to change careers into business or logistics, described as “the general pathway” according to Maricopa.edu. Students will learn how to be successful logisticians through coursework such as customer relations management, project management and career success . The school’s Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration with a concentration in logistics and supply chain management is a more specialized degree. Applicants to this program need an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, which may have been earned in any field.
- Southern Nazarene University’s Bachelor of Science degree in Logistics Management prepares graduates to work as logisticians by teaching them how to plan ahead and meet customer needs.
What You Should Expect to Learn on a Supply Chain Management Degree Program
The curriculum for most supply chain management bachelor’s degree programs will likely include courses such as:
Logistics and Operations Management, which will teach students how to develop a logistics plan to manage supply chain operations. They might also learn about the use of technology in supply chain management and how to manage inventory effectively .
Global Supply Chain Management, which may include learning about managing overseas resources, global logistics operations and understanding international regulations.
Marketing Principles for Logisticians, a course that provides an introduction to fundamentals within this field so students can create a supply chain management marketing strategy.
Students can also expect to develop an understanding of management information systems, procurement processes, inventory control, operations and project management, the use of telecommunications for dispatch and logistics, including message and data rates, and financial accounting.
In the first year, and in particular the first semester, students can expect to reinforce or improve their math skills with college alegra courses and reviews calculus concepts of use to Business majors, and their general knowledge with general education or second language courses.
Relevant Master’s Degree Programs
Master’s degrees are not necessary for entry-level logistician jobs, though completing a master’s program may improve your chances of receiving a higher-paying job. The following programs are available in Arizona:
- W.P. Carey School of Business. The W.P Carey School’s department of supply chain management, located at Arizona State University, is one of the best-ranked master’s degree programs in the field. It offers degrees in Business Analytics and Global Logistics.
- Northern Arizona University. The university offers master’s degrees in Business Administration and Global Business Administration, both of which can provide additional knowledge of supply chain practices.
Nationally and internationally, Arizona students will also find there are many business schools offering online logistics programs to those who meet admission requirements. These will generally include SAT reasoning scores and ACT composite scores in the upper percentiles.
Additional Educational Programs
Students interested in associate’s degree programs can pursue their education at community colleges throughout the state, including Pima Community College in Tucson and Arizona Western College in Yuma. Both of these schools offer two-year programs in Logistics, Materials and Supply Chain Management, and Arizona Western offers two certificate programs as well.
The American Production and Inventory Control Society provides several certificate programs for logisticians interested in continuing their education. Available programs include Certified Supply Chain Professional, Certified in Production Inventory Management and Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution.
Salary and Employment Estimates
Jobs for logisticians in Arizona are increasing steadily. The Projections Managing Partnership estimates growth of 15.4 percent over the 10 years ending in 2026.
Salaries for logisticians in Arizona average $72,940 per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Logisticians with an associate’s degree can expect to earn less than those who hold a bachelor’s degree. For more on salaries and additional information, visit the BLS website .
Working in Supply Chain Management in Arizona
Logisticians are in high demand across multiple industries, such as manufacturing, government, retail, trade and scientific services. They can work for logistical companies or as part of an in-house management team for a single business. Schedules typically consist of 40-hour work weeks with occasional overtime and travel as necessary.
Successful logisticians and supply chain managers will have excellent communication, customer service and critical thinking skills. They are called on to think strategically about the supply chain, to quickly solve problems and communicate clearly with distributors, designers, clients and more, making fast thinking essential. Jobs can be found throughout the state but are most plentiful in larger cities like Phoenix and Tucson, where higher salaries are typically offered to match the cost of urban living.
What Careers are Available with a Logistics Degree?
A logistician is responsible for creating logistical plans that positively impact their organization or company. These professionals work closely with purchasing managers, transportation companies and other employees who have an effect on the delivery process. Some of the careers available to graduates from a logistics degree program include:
Logistics manager. A logistics manager is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of a warehouse or distribution center. This involves organizing and maintaining inventory, materials and other resources while ensuring that they are all in ready supply when needed by a company. Logistics managers can expect to earn $101,030 per year on average, according to the BLS.
Materials planner. Materials planners develop plans for how items should be ordered and distributed based on industry demand forecasts, time constraints and more. They may also suggest ways to meet production goals cost effectively with input from others such as purchasing management and marketing professionals. The average salary for this career is $92,660 annually reports the BLS .
Transportation manager. Transportation managers are responsible for overseeing the logistics of transit that meet company goals. They may be charged with arranging warehouse space, negotiating contracts with carriers and more to ensure smooth distribution of goods. The average salary for this career is $96,990 per year according to the BLS .
Logistics specialist. A logistics specialist works closely with buyers and purchasing professionals to coordinate the delivery process by negotiating terms, materials prices and contact information for third-party companies. Responsibilities can also involve working with clients by assisting them in creating customized transportation plans tailored to meet their needs. Logistics specialists can expect an average salary of $53,190 per year, according to the BLS .
Supply chain. Supply chain managers oversee all aspects of distribution for their organization, including what products are produced or ordered, how they should be distributed and when. They might also work with suppliers to negotiate pricing and returns policies. The average salary for this career is $88,740 per year according to the BLS .