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
Administrative Assistant / Office Support
2-3 yearsSkills to master
- Organisation, data entry accuracy, basic communication, understanding of office processes, using standard software like Excel.
You're ready to move on when
- You're the go-to person for administrative tasks and you're always asking 'why' things are done a certain way.
- You've shown a keen interest in how the business operates beyond your immediate admin duties.
- You're already using Excel for basic tracking and reporting in your current role.
- 2
Warehouse / Logistics Administrator
2-4 yearsSkills to master
- Understanding of goods receipt processes, inventory management basics, logistics coordination, using warehouse management systems (WMS).
You're ready to move on when
- You have a solid grasp of how goods move in and out of the warehouse and the associated paperwork.
- You've regularly dealt with discrepancies between physical stock and system records.
- You're keen to understand the 'before' part of the supply chain – how orders are placed.
- 3
Entry-Level Purchasing Coordinator
1-2 yearsSkills to master
- Basic PO processing, supplier communication, data entry, adherence to purchasing policies, using an ERP system.
You're ready to move on when
- You've already had some exposure to raising POs and communicating with suppliers, even if under close supervision.
- You're eager to take on more responsibility and manage the full PO lifecycle independently.
- You've demonstrated strong attention to detail in your current purchasing tasks.