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
International Purchasing Coordinator (L2)
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Independent PO management, routine customs issue resolution, basic landed cost understanding, proactive communication with suppliers.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently delivers on-time and accurate POs for assigned suppliers.
- Can resolve common shipping delays or documentation issues without escalation.
- Proactively communicates potential issues to manager and internal teams.
- Successfully mentors new joiners on basic processes.
- 2
Logistics Coordinator (with international focus)
3-5 yearsSkills to master
- Deep understanding of freight forwarding, customs brokerage, shipment tracking, and managing carrier relationships. Strong problem-solving for in-transit issues.
You're ready to move on when
- Expert in managing complex freight bookings and customs clearance processes.
- Successfully negotiated better rates or service with freight partners.
- Can troubleshoot and resolve significant in-transit delays or damages.
- Has a good grasp of how logistics costs impact overall product cost.
- 3
Supply Chain Analyst (with purchasing exposure)
4-6 yearsSkills to master
- Data analysis, reporting, inventory management principles, demand forecasting, and understanding the financial impact of supply chain decisions.
You're ready to move on when
- Proficient in using Excel or BI tools to analyse supply chain data.
- Contributed to improving forecast accuracy or inventory optimisation.
- Understands the financial implications of purchasing decisions.
- Can identify trends and make data-driven recommendations.