Ngwako Modjadji
Ever wondered how the thousands of parts needed to assemble a car become available at the right time and at the right place? It’s a matter of logistics.
If this kind of puzzle appeals to you and you haven’t yet decided what you want to do after school the University of Stellenbosch could be for you.
In business, logistics involves the planning, implementing and management of an efficient and cost-effective flow and storage of goods and services. With the lifting of sanctions and trade barriers, international trade has become very important for South Africa, says Ulrike Kussing of Stellenbosch’s department of logistics.
“New markets began to flourish and local products like wine and fruit were welcomed abroad. In this increasingly global business environment, logistics plays an important role in ensuring that South African companies will be highly competitive in the global market.”
She says South Africa has a great need for managers who can analyse, plan, implement and manage logistical functions within an organisation. Stellenbosch’s department of logistics offers undergraduate degree programmes such as a BLogistics, a BComm in logistics analysis, a BComm in logistics management, a BComm in transport economics and a BSc in operations research.
Stellenbosch is the only institution in South Africa to offer the BLogistics programme. It’s a three-year degree that equips student to analyse, plan, implement and organise complex operations that entail the allocation and distribution of physical resources.
The BComm in logistics analysis offers a combination of management and analytical subjects that equip students with the logistics and entrepreneurial skills to function at a highly competitive level in a business environment.
A relatively new discipline is logistics management. The BComm in this field prepares students for managerial positions that include responsibility for logistics customer service, the supply chain, and the location and sizing of facilities.
The Council of Logistics Management has identified different job profiles in this field. These include inventory control manager, warehousing manager, administrative manager, administrative analyst, transportation manager, customer service manager and consultant.
Good computer skills are a must; oral and written communication skills and people skills are essential for one to perform most of the logistics functions properly. Professionals in logistics regard information technology as a high priority and a primary tool they will use to resolve logistics problems and capture other logistics opportunities in the future.