

Logistique
Discover the logistics professions
Logistics and transport activities currently employ more than 2 million people in France. This market is expected to grow by a further 1.5% each year. The growth of e-commerce and the constant evolution of new technologies and consumer habits are leading companies in industry and services to constantly rethink their business models.
Companies are looking for versatile, internationally-minded and mobile professionals to support them through these changes and meet these new challenges.
EM Normandie's specialised logistics programmes offer a wide range of career opportunities in transport and logistics:
Buyer / purchasing manager
The buyer manages the purchase of products and parts to supply the shelves of a supermarket or factory. In constant contact with their suppliers, they negotiate the best prices, quantities and delivery times on behalf of their company, while monitoring the quality of the goods. Whether in industry (machine tools, automotive, reprographic equipment, pharmaceuticals, etc.), retail, textiles or materials, they must have a thorough understanding of the technical characteristics of the products they buy.
They play a major role in reducing stocks and production costs.
By negotiating advantageous prices, they enable the company to generate higher margins. By negotiating high-volume, long-term contracts, they can achieve economies of scale while committing significant sums to the company. In the public sector, they may work in the purchasing department of a local authority or for a central purchasing body.
The role of buyer involves a variety of tasks:
- Negotiating the best possible terms and conditions with suppliers.
- Sourcing and selecting suppliers that meet the company's needs.
- Ensuring that contracts are properly executed.
- Resolve any commercial and financial disputes with suppliers.
- Determine the quantity of products to be purchased according to the company's needs.
Find out more about Virginie Vast, Purchasing Manager at Amazon
Logistics analyst
The role of the logistics analyst is to analyse the operation of the company's supply chain in order to optimise it. They gather data and study all aspects of supply chain management.
With a strong affinity for figures, they analyse data critically to calculate statistics and make projections.
Playing a major role in the company's commercial strategy, they have the onerous responsibility of helping the head of the company to make the right decisions. This involves defining the actions to be taken to optimise costs, lead times and the flow of goods.
In particular, they are responsible for stock management, ensuring that costs and lead times are optimised in line with the company's resources. They monitor the adaptation of physical flow chains so that they are responsive and enable deadlines, costs and quality standards to be controlled.
The role of logistics analyst involves a variety of tasks:
- Analysing supply chain strategies.
- Analysing data using specific software tools to produce statistics.
- Writing reports with recommendations for management.
Logistics Manager
The role of the logistics manager is to manage and optimise all logistics flows within the company, from the supply of raw materials to the delivery of finished products. Their role is to ensure that operations run smoothly while meeting cost, deadline and quality objectives.
He coordinates departments (production, purchasing, transport) to ensure the smooth flow of goods and manages unforeseen events (stock-outs, delays) by finding appropriate solutions.
The logistics manager plays a central role in customer satisfaction and company profitability. As well as managing stocks, they supervise logistics teams and ensure the continuous improvement of procedures, particularly by incorporating technological innovations to automate or optimise flows.
The logistics manager's duties are manifold:
- Plan and coordinate transport and warehousing operations.
- Supervise stock management and ensure optimum stock rotation.
- Analyse and optimise logistics processes to reduce costs and improve lead times.
- Ensure compliance with safety and quality standards throughout the supply chain.
- Manage relations with external service providers (carriers, suppliers).
Supply Manager
The supply manager manages product flows and stocks based on sales forecasts, with the aim of optimising costs for the company. They are in contact with suppliers and take part in negotiations alongside the purchasing team.
With a managerial profile, they do everything possible to avoid production stoppages and maintain a sufficient but reasonable level of stock.
As the guarantor of delivery times, they monitor production schedules to ensure on-time production.
Like buyers, their role is to seek out new suppliers and take part in commercial negotiations.
The role of procurement manager involves a variety of tasks:
- Organising and managing the supply department.
- Initiating and managing projects to optimise supply processes.
- Drawing up task schedules and ensuring that they are adhered to.
- Participating in negotiations with the purchasing department and sourcing new suppliers.
- Monitoring the performance of actions taken.
- Manage the financial and legal aspects of the processes.
Find out more about Pierre Thomas, Head of Operations at Ubisoft
Warehouse Manager
Also known as shipping manager, warehouse manager, dock manager or shop manager, the warehouse manager organises and coordinates all movements of goods. When goods arrive, they are received in the warehouse and taken to the shops or shops. They are also responsible for sending goods to the delivery points (packaging, handover to carriers, etc.).
They must remain in constant contact with suppliers to avoid stock shortages.
To do this, they are responsible for ordering parts/items on time, which they take delivery of after checking their quality. When it comes to storing items in the warehouse, the warehouse manager determines the appropriate location, indicates the type of handling equipment to be used and the best location for the type of goods. In large warehouses, they manage a team of forklift drivers, handlers and order-pickers.
The role of warehouse manager involves a variety of tasks:
- Managing the movement of goods: delivery, storage, collection, preparation of orders.
- Managing warehouse operations, human and financial resources.
- Checking compliance with procedures.
- Ensures that sufficient stock is maintained in the warehouse.
- Monitor warehouse activity.
Find out more about Lise Veauvy, Operations Director, Leetchi
Supply Chain Manager / Supply Chain Director
Also known as logistics and supply chain manager, the supply chain manager oversees all supply chain-related activities. He or she defines and implements a flow management policy, ensuring that production costs, deadlines and quality are properly managed. They manage all the stages involved in these flows, from supplier to customer.
Their responsibilities cover a wide range of areas, including forecasting, planning, procurement, scheduling, internal and external logistics and transport.
In addition, they liaise with production, sales and purchasing departments to understand all the requirements and organise the work of their teams in line with the company's strategy.
Supply Chain Managers report to the Supply Chain Director, who is generally a member of the Management Committee. The Director's remit is multi-site, including the company's own entities and logistics and goods transport service providers.
The role of the Supply Chain Manager involves a variety of tasks:
- Designing and defining the flow management policy.
- Optimising the supply chain.
- Coordinating and planning transport and shipments.
- Managing warehouse activities.
- Coordinating supply chain flows between the various internal and external contacts.
- Determining the scheduling of tasks according to the various constraints.
- Monitor the supply, receipt and storage of goods.
Find out more about Juliette Dô, Logistics Site Manager, Volvo
There are many other opportunities in logistics and the supply chain:
- Operations manager
- Logistics flow manager
- Logistics project manager
- Logistics operations controller
- Logistics consultant
- International transport organiser
- Port platform manager...
Programmes
See all programmesFrequently asked questions
See all the frequently asked questionsNews
See all the news-
EM Normandie Business School Master in Management: 65th in the Financial Times…
11 September 2023
-
Le PGE de l’EM Normandie se positionne à la 95e place du classement 2023 QS des…
03 October 2022
-
L’EM Normandie, meilleure école de commerce en supply chain et logistique
21 June 2021
-
Quelle logistique dans la gestion des flux de produits agricoles locaux ?…
28 January 2021
-
L’EM Normandie propose un Master of Science en deux ans (visé Bac+5) et 3…
16 February 2022