UK

United Kingdom · Events and experiential marketing · Entry Level (0-2 years)

Logistics Coordinator

Here is the whole job, in plain words. What it is, what you decide, how you're judged, how people get here and where they go next. Then the part no course gives you: twelve AI tutors who learn your work.

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  • Experience bandEntry Level (0-2 years)
  • Direct reportsNo direct reports
  • Reports toSenior Event Logistics Specialist
  • UK framework levelUsually someone starting out, or keeping a process running

Also advertised as Junior Logistics Assistant · Event Operations Assistant · Production Assistant (Logistics)

Built on 43,079 real UK job descriptions we analysed · grounded in qualifications employers recognise

Two short quizzes about you

1From this job to a course

The qualifications matched to this job

City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations City & Guilds Limited · Level 3 · covers 2 of 10 standards
FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills FDQ Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 10 standards
FDQ Level 2 Award for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills FDQ Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 10 standards
ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Technical Support ETC Awards Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering - Technical Support Technician (Development Competence) Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited · Level 3 · covers 1 of 10 standards
FDQ Level 2 Diploma for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills FDQ Limited · Level 2 · covers 1 of 10 standards

Matched from the standards this job is measured against: a suggestion, not an official ruling.

The units you would start with

Make an effective contribution to a business in the logistics sector City & Guilds Level 3 Certificate in Logistics Operations
Understand how to load consignments for despatch in food operations FDQ Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Food Industry Skills
Supporting logistics operations in an engineering manufacturing environment ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Technical Support

The future skills this job leans on

Data Fluency turning numbers into a decision
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Your Plan Illustration

Built for Logistics Coordinator

3 units that map to this job, from the qualifications that cover it.

  1. Make an effective contribution to a business in the logistics sector City & Guilds Limited · covers 2 of 10 standards Level 3
  2. Understand how to load consignments for despatch in food operations FDQ Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 2
  3. Supporting logistics operations in an engineering manufacturing environment ETC Awards Limited · covers 1 of 10 standards Level 3
These are the real units behind this job, in the order they rank for it. Nothing here is marked done, because this plan has not been started by anyone yet. Yours would fill in as you go.

2AI and this work

Will AI change your work as a Logistics Coordinator?

Nobody can say exactly how. Here is what this job is being asked for next, and where to start.

The new skills this role is being asked for

  • Proactive Problem Identification
  • Independent Follow-up & Resolution (Minor Issues)
Why each one is rising

The future skills this job leans on

We'll only ever tell you what we can actually back up. No hype, no scare tactics.

What happens when you start

Next, a free account. We build your Logistics Coordinator plan as you set up, starting with a Future Fluency module on using AI in your job. No card.

Your first Future Fluency module is free. After that, your AI tutor is £70 a month.

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3What this role really is

A Logistics Coordinator makes sure everything an event needs, from gaffer tape to exhibition stands, arrives where and when it should.

4What you'd actually use

The tools this job runs on, and how well you'd need to know each one.

Flex Rental Solutions / Sortly (Asset & Inventory Mgmt) Basic

Checking items in and out, updating quantities, generating basic inventory reports, and following our existing QR code/barcode system for asset tracking.

Smartsheet / Asana (Project & Timeline Mgmt) Basic

Updating task statuses, attaching files to project cards, and following pre-built project plan templates and Gantt charts for your assigned tasks.

Cvent Social Tables / Allseated (Venue & Floor Plan Mgmt) Basic

Navigating existing floor plans, identifying booth locations, and placing pre-loaded assets onto a map under supervision to confirm placements.

DAT Load Board / Convoy (Freight & Transport Sourcing) Basic

Assisting with posting simple loads, gathering quotes from pre-approved carriers based on defined specifications (weight, dimensions, timeline), and tracking shipments.

Slack / MS Teams (Real-time Comms) Intermediate

Using channels for on-site updates, responding to direct messages from the team, participating in team huddles, and sharing quick updates.

Excel / Google Sheets (Budgeting & Tracking) Intermediate

Populating tracking sheets with costs, using basic formulas (SUM, AVERAGE), updating budget vs. actuals from existing templates, and maintaining simple data logs.

5What you get to decide, and how that grows

Power in a job isn't your title. It's what you're allowed to decide. Here's how it grows as you move up.

The choiceComing in Where you are nowThe step above
Booking a new courier for an urgent shipment Escalate to Senior Logistics Specialist for approval and guidance on carrier selection and cost. Can book routine shipments with approved carriers within a defined budget. Escalate for urgent or high-value shipments. Full authority to select and book carriers, negotiate rates for specific projects up to £5K, and approve urgent shipments.
Approving a vendor invoice for payment Verify details against quote, then pass to Senior Logistics Specialist for review and approval. Approve invoices up to £500 after verifying against purchase order and delivery confirmation. Approve invoices up to £5K, manage vendor relationships, and resolve billing disputes.
Changing a delivery schedule or venue contact Inform Senior Logistics Specialist immediately; they will advise on next steps and communication. Can communicate minor schedule changes directly with carriers/venues, but inform manager. Escalate significant changes. Full authority to negotiate and approve schedule changes with all parties, informing relevant stakeholders.
Purchasing new event supplies (e.g., packing materials) Identify need and request purchase from Senior Logistics Specialist. Can purchase standard supplies within a pre-approved budget (e.g., up to £100 per month). Manage budget for logistics supplies, approve purchases up to £1K, and source new suppliers.

6How you'll be judged

The scoreboard, and what is not on it. The hard targets, how often each is actually looked at, and the quiet signals that never reach a dashboard.

On-Time Shipment Delivery Rate
The percentage of shipments you're responsible for that arrive at the correct destination by the scheduled delivery time.
Target · 98%+

If you manage 50 individual shipments for an event and 49 arrive on time, that's 98%. We'll track this across all your assigned tasks.

Packing List & Inventory Accuracy
How accurately your packing lists match the actual items shipped, and how well you track inventory coming in and out of our warehouse or storage.
Target · 100% accuracy (zero discrepancies)

You prepare a packing list for a crate with 15 items. When it's checked on-site, all 15 items are present and correct, and your inventory system reflects this. No missing widgets, no extra cables.

Freight Invoice Variance
The difference between the quoted cost for a specific freight shipment you booked and the final invoice amount.
Target · <2% variance

You get a quote for £150 for a small pallet. The final invoice comes in at £152. That's a 1.3% variance, which is fine. If it's £170, we need to know why.

Documentation Completion Rate
The percentage of required logistics documents (e.g., proof of delivery, customs forms, asset tracking updates) that are completed accurately and on time.
Target · 100%

For every shipment, you've uploaded the signed proof of delivery, updated the asset management system, and filed the customs paperwork (if applicable) within 24 hours of delivery.

Adherence to Process & Protocol
How consistently you follow our established procedures for shipping, inventory, and vendor communication.
  • You're using the correct templates for packing lists. You're following the step-by-step guide for booking couriers. Your manager isn't having to remind you about standard operating procedures (SOPs). You're asking clarifying questions when unsure, rather than guessing.
Proactive Communication & Escalation
How effectively you communicate potential issues or delays to your manager and relevant team members, and how quickly you flag things that might go wrong.
  • You flag a potential shipping delay to your manager the moment you hear about it, not an hour before it's due. You ask 'should I tell X about this?' before being prompted. You're not shy about saying 'I'm stuck on this, can you help?'
Learning & Development Engagement
Your willingness to learn new systems, processes, and industry knowledge, and to take on feedback to improve.
  • You're actively asking questions during training. You're taking notes. You're applying feedback from your manager in subsequent tasks. You're showing curiosity about 'why' we do things a certain way, not just 'how'.

7Would you like it

Both sides. What people enjoy, and what grinds them down.

What people enjoy
Being Part of a Team Effort

You enjoy the camaraderie of working towards a common goal, especially when it's a big event. You're happy to pitch in wherever needed, even if it's not strictly 'your' job. You get a buzz from the collective energy of event day.

You're the first to offer help with an extra packing job if the team is swamped, or to stay a bit later to make sure a critical shipment is ready to go.

Seeing Tangible Results

You love the satisfaction of seeing a pile of boxes transform into a stunning event space. The physical nature of logistics appeals to you – you like knowing that your work directly contributes to something real and visible.

The moment you see the custom-built stand you helped ship finally installed and looking brilliant on the show floor, you feel a real sense of accomplishment.

Learning & Developing New Skills

You're constantly asking questions, taking notes, and eager to understand 'why' things are done a certain way. You see every task as an opportunity to learn more about event logistics and grow your capabilities.

After helping with a customs declaration, you'll ask your manager to explain the different types of forms and why certain information is critical, rather than just moving on to the next task.

What frustrates people
  • The 'urgent' request that disrupts your carefully planned day, only to be deprioritised an hour later.
  • Having to chase couriers or vendors multiple times for updates on a shipment.
  • Dealing with messy, incomplete information from other teams when you're trying to book something.
  • Spending ages on a packing list, only for the creative team to change their minds about what's needed at the last minute.
  • The sheer volume of paperwork and administrative tasks, even for seemingly small things.
What this role does not give you
  • High levels of independent decision-making – you'll be following clear instructions for a while.
  • A lot of creative input into event design or concepts – your focus is on the practical execution.
  • A 'set it and forget it' mentality – you'll need to follow up and track things constantly.
  • Predictable, 9-to-5 hours, especially around event times – flexibility is key.

8Who you work with

This role is actually fundamental. You're the one making sure the physical components of our experiential marketing campaigns and events are where they need to be. Get it right, and our events look professional, on-brand, and we keep costs down. Get it wrong, and we're scrambling for missing equipment, paying exorbitant last-minute fees, and potentially letting down a client. It's about operational efficiency and protecting our reputation, really.

Inside the business
  • Senior Event Logistics Specialist (your direct manager)
  • Production Managers (the folks who need their kit)
  • Creative Team (who design what you're shipping)
  • Finance Team (who pay the bills for all that shipping)
Outside the business
  • Shipping Carriers (DHL, FedEx, local couriers)
  • Venue Loading Dock Staff (the gatekeepers)
  • Rental Companies (who provide the gear)
  • General Service Contractors (GSCs - the big event suppliers)

9What you need before you start

Not a wish list. The things you would be expected to already have.

  • A genuine interest in events, logistics, or operations – you'll need to want to learn this stuff.
  • Basic computer literacy, including using email, word processing, and spreadsheets (like Excel or Google Sheets).
  • A full, clean UK driving licence is often helpful, though not always essential, depending on the role's specific needs.
  • The ability to lift and move moderately heavy items (up to 20kg) safely, as there's often a physical component to the job.
  • A 'can-do' attitude and a willingness to get stuck in, even with the less glamorous tasks.

10What to practise next

Where the job is going, and what to do about it starting this week.

Advanced Digital Tool Utilisation (Smartsheet, Excel)

You'll move from simply populating templates to understanding how they're built, allowing you to troubleshoot minor issues and make small modifications.

Basic Formulae & Functions (Excel) · Smartsheet Automation Basics · Data Validation

  • This week: Ask your manager to show you one formula in Excel you don't understand.
  • This month: Try to build a very simple tracking sheet from scratch using basic formulas.
  • Month 2: Explore Smartsheet's help articles on setting up basic automated workflows.

Quick win: When you're using a spreadsheet, try to trace back how a number is calculated using the formula bar. It's a small step, but it builds understanding.

Basic Freight & Carrier Selection

You'll start to understand the different types of freight services, when to use which, and how to get competitive quotes, rather than just being told which carrier to use.

LTL vs. FTL (Less-than-Truckload vs. Full-Truckload) · Transit Times & Service Levels · Key Freight Terminology

  • This week: Ask your manager to explain why they chose a particular carrier for a recent shipment.
  • This month: Get quotes from 2-3 different carriers for the same mock shipment and compare them.
  • Month 2: Research different freight types and their typical use cases in event logistics.

Quick win: Next time you're asked to get a quote, ask the carrier about their different service levels and transit times, not just the price.

11Staying current once you are in

What people here do to keep up
  • Attend industry webinars or online courses on event logistics basics and supply chain fundamentals.
  • Shadow senior team members on-site at events to observe load-in/load-out processes and problem-solving.
  • Take advantage of any in-house training on our asset management or project management software.
  • Read industry publications (e.g., Exhibition News, Event Magazine) to stay up-to-date on trends and best practices.

12The rising capability

The rising capability

Zavmo analysis

What's rising in its place

This is where the work is heading, and the higher pay with it. Get fluent here and the shift stops being a threat and starts being your edge.

Proactive Problem Identification

As you gain experience, you won't just react to problems; you'll start to see them coming. This is critical for preventing small issues from becoming big, expensive ones.

  • Pattern Recognition
  • Dependency Mapping (Basic)
  • Root Cause Analysis (Informal)

Independent Follow-up & Resolution (Minor Issues)

You'll move from needing explicit instructions for every follow-up to being able to chase down minor issues yourself, freeing up your manager's time.

  • Communication Protocols
  • Escalation Paths
  • Vendor Relationship Basics

13What you’ll use

What you’ll use

Skills this role draws on

Technical

  • Run of Show (ROS) & Production Scheduling (Basic Understanding)
  • Load-in / Load-out Choreography (Assistance)
  • Drayage & Material Handling Management (Awareness)
  • Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning (Basic Awareness)

14The pathway

The pathway

How you actually get there, here

How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.

  1. 1

    Event Volunteer / Intern

    6-12 months

    Skills to master

    • Understanding event flow, basic on-site operations, following instructions, working as part of a team, basic problem-solving.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Consistently reliable and punctual during volunteer/intern shifts.
    • Demonstrates a keen interest in the 'how' of events, not just the 'what'.
    • Proactively asks questions and seeks to understand logistical challenges.
    • Receives positive feedback from event managers and team leads.
  2. 2

    Warehouse / Stockroom Assistant

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Inventory management, shipping/receiving processes, safe material handling, attention to detail with stock, using inventory software.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Proven track record of accurate inventory counts and efficient stock rotation.
    • Experience with preparing shipments and liaising with couriers.
    • Strong understanding of warehouse safety protocols.
    • Ability to work methodically and maintain organised storage areas.
  3. 3

    Administrative Assistant (Logistics Focus)

    1-2 years

    Skills to master

    • Data entry, record keeping, vendor communication, scheduling, document management, using office software.

    You're ready to move on when

    • Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail in administrative tasks.
    • Experience with coordinating schedules and managing multiple priorities.
    • Proficient in using spreadsheets and database systems for tracking.
    • Clear and professional communication with external parties.

15Where this role leads

The long view: This role can lead to senior logistics roles, managing larger events, or moving into a management position overseeing logistics teams and budgets.

16Pay and demand

Pay & demand

Typical pay £33,508 a year Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, 2025 (provisional), under the Open Government Licence v3.0

The figure is the median for full-time employees in the ONS occupation this job title codes to (Transport and distribution clerks and assistants), from the April 2025 survey, about six months old when published, as ASHE always is. It is that occupation's middle, not this role's. Half earn more.

The ten Future Fluencies

Zavmo analysis

The credential is what you can do today. These are what keep you valuable.

A qualification proves you can do the job as it's defined today. These ten are what decide whether you're still the obvious person for it in five years. They're the capabilities employers are now writing into senior roles faster than people are learning them. Zavmo weaves them through whatever you study, so you come out with both: the credential and the fluency.

The highlighted ones are the Fluencies your role leans on hardest, from how Logistics Coordinator is actually changing.

Where it leads

Roles this leads to

The record names a next step, but the catalogue has no page for it yet:

  • Event Logistics Specialist (L2)

How you would learn this

One to one, on the work you already do

A tutor sets the task against your own job and marks the reasoning, at your pace. There is no cohort to fall behind.

A lesson from Make an effective contribution to a business in the logistics sector, worked against Logistics Coordinator.

Make an effective contribution to a business in the logistics sector Level 3

Applied to your work in Logistics Coordinator

The objective of this unit is to enable learners to understand how they contribute to a logistics business and to develop the skills to make an effective contribution. Learners will understand different roles, the importance of teamwork, and how to communicate effectively and follow procedures to support the overall success of the business.

How the thinking builds
  1. 1 Remember
  2. 2 Understand
  3. 3 Apply
  4. 4 Analyse
  5. 5 Evaluate
  6. 6 Create
An illustration of a Zavmo lesson, built from this role’s own route. The unit, its objective and every criterion above are the awarding body’s own words, not an example.

It is £70 a month, billed monthly. Your free first module is Future Fluency, and you can cancel any time.

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See Your Progress Grow Illustration
Logistics Coordinator
  • Run of Show (ROS) & Production Scheduling (Basic Understanding)
  • Load-in / Load-out Choreography (Assistance)
  • Drayage & Material Handling Management (Awareness)
  • Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning (Basic Awareness)
This is your Mind Palace on learn.zavmo.ai. Every skill above comes from this role's own record, not an example borrowed from another job. A node lights up when you evidence it, and what you build stays yours between jobs. That is the part a course cannot do.

17The detail, folded away

Everything else the record holds

The career branches in full, how AI is already showing up in the day-to-day, and the questions people ask about this job. Here when you want them, out of the way while you decide.

Where it leads next, rung by rung

Where it leads

The career path, and where it branches

Logistics Coordinator is a start, not a ceiling. Each step below asks for new skills and hands back more autonomy.

  1. Event Logistics Specialist (L2)

    2-3 years in the Coordinator role

    Ownership of deliverables for small-to-medium events or specific workstreams of larger ones. More independent decision-making on routine tasks.

    • End-to-End Logistics Planning (for smaller events)
    • Vendor Vetting & Selection (for specific services)
    • Basic Budget Management (tracking costs against a defined budget)
    • Creating Basic Project Plans (in Smartsheet/Asana)
Working with AI on the job

Working with AI

Where AI is starting to help

Imagine spending less time on the tedious bits of logistics and more time learning the exciting, hands-on aspects of event production. That's exactly what AI can do for you as a Logistics Coordinator. It won't replace your job, but it will definitely make it smoother, faster, and less prone to those annoying little errors.

Truth is, a lot of entry-level logistics work involves repetitive tasks and sifting through mountains of information. AI tools are getting incredibly good at automating these things, freeing you up to focus on the more interesting challenges and develop your skills faster. We're all about working smarter, not just harder, here.

Automated Shipping Doc Generation

Instead of manually typing out every shipping label, packing list, or basic customs form, AI can pull data from our event manifests and generate these documents in seconds. You'll just need to quickly review and print them, saving you loads of time and reducing typos.

Pre-Drafted Vendor Comms

Need to send a routine email to a courier confirming a pickup or chasing a tracking number? AI can draft these for you based on a few key inputs. You'll get a professional, clear email that just needs a quick check before you hit send. No more staring at a blank screen wondering how to phrase it.

Quick Manual & Guide Summaries

Venue logistics manuals and General Service Contractor guides can be hundreds of pages long. An AI tool can quickly scan these documents and pull out the critical deadlines, hidden fees, and key contacts you need, so you don't have to read every single word. It's like having a super-fast research assistant.

Basic Data Entry & Tracking Support

For routine data entry into our inventory or tracking systems, AI can help categorise information or flag discrepancies. It won't do it all for you, but it can make the process much quicker and help you spot potential errors before they become problems.

Common questions

Common questions

How do you become a Logistics Coordinator?

Common routes in include Event Volunteer / Intern (6-12 months), Warehouse / Stockroom Assistant (1-2 years) and Administrative Assistant (Logistics Focus) (1-2 years). Times vary with prior experience.

Where can a Logistics Coordinator progress to?

This role can lead on to Event Logistics Specialist (2-3 years in the Coordinator role), depending on the skills you build.

What new skills matter most for a Logistics Coordinator?

Increasingly, Proactive Problem Identification and Independent Follow-up & Resolution (Minor Issues). These are the skills our record of this role lists as growing.

Free tools

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Three free tools, no account needed. Each one ends with a role, a level and a way in.

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18Where to go from here

Other roles at Level 2

Same depth of qualification, different job. Useful if the work appeals but this particular role does not.

 More jobs in events and experiential marketing

Stay in the field you know and move sideways rather than up.
If you leave this industry

The skills involved transfer easily to logistics roles in other industries, such as e-commerce, manufacturing or supply chain management. Within events, you could specialise further, in areas like international logistics, specific freight types, or venue operations.

This role profile is © 2026 Growth Engineering Technologies Ltd. Built from UK occupational standards and regulated qualification data, and written for Zavmo.

You're not behind. You're right on time. The shift is only just beginning. Your role won't look the same in two years. Be the one who leads the change, not the one it happens to. Start my Logistics Coordinator plan, free What happens next: a free account, then we build your plan as you set up. No card. Build your plan, see your roadmap and meet the twelve tutors matched to you. All free. When you're ready to start learning, it's £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.