Career change as a logistics specialist

Career change paths

• Dispatcher

  Also: Shipping dispatcher, Route planner

  With on-the-job training

  In dispatching you plan routes, vehicles and delivery dates, and coordinate with drivers, the warehouse and customers.

  What you bring:

  You know loading times, shipping documents, packaging and the typical bottlenecks at the loading dock.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal switch to shipping or transport dispatching, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few months, often with a course for dispatchers. With a qualification as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) you have good prerequisites for this. Some freight forwarders also expect commercial training.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightIn an office

  €3,917gross per monthMedian salary

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• Purchasing planner

  Also: Purchasing clerk

  With on-the-job training

  In purchasing you order goods, collect quotes, monitor delivery dates and clarify complaints with suppliers.

  What you bring:

  You know suppliers, delivery reliability, minimum stock levels and shortages from goods receipt.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal switch to purchasing or dispatching, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few weeks to a few months. A commercial qualification is often expected. Later, you can take part-time further training in purchasing at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,200gross per monthMedian salary

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• Materials planner

  Also: Production planner

  With on-the-job training

  In the materials planning of an industrial company you plan when each material has to be ready for production, and you reorder it.

  What you bring:

  You know stock, warehouse management systems and the consequences of missing parts from your own experience.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the materials management of an industrial company, usually lasting a few weeks to a few months, with training in the ERP system. Warehouse staff often switch internally from the plant warehouse.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €4,873gross per monthMedian salary

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• Quality inspector

  Also: Goods inspector

  With on-the-job training

  In quality inspection you check goods and components according to inspection plans, measure them and document the results.

  What you bring:

  You check quantities, damage and labels at goods receipt and document deviations carefully.

  How to get there:

  You get on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) in the quality assurance of an industrial or trading company, usually lasting a few weeks, often with training in measuring instruments and testing methods. Technical understanding is needed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsLittle customer contact

  €4,159gross per monthMedian salary

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• Supply chain management consultant

  Also: Logistics management consultant

  With on-the-job training

  At a consultancy or as a self-employed consultant, you analyze logistics processes, plan networks and support companies through changeovers.

  What you bring:

  You have managed supply chains, warehouses, purchasing and transport and know where costs and bottlenecks arise.

  How to get there:

  Consultancies that focus on logistics and purchasing hire experienced managers, and you learn the methods in the project. If you go self-employed, you mainly need contacts in the industry, and you often start with interim mandates.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an officeHome office possible

  €6,768gross per monthMedian salary

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• Managing director of a logistics company

  Also: Managing director of a freight forwarder (Spedition)

  With on-the-job trainingPromotion

  As managing director of a logistics company or freight forwarder, you take overall responsibility for results, customers and employees.

  What you bring:

  You are responsible for budgets, staff and customers in logistics or purchasing and know the processes from the warehouse to invoicing.

  How to get there:

  You usually make this move within your company or through recruitment consultancies, often at medium-sized companies. If the company runs commercial road haulage, it needs a person with professional competence (fachliche Eignung), which you can prove through an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an office

  €8,555gross per monthMedian salary

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• Lecturer in logistics and purchasing

  Also: Trainer in certified senior specialist (Fachwirt) courses

  With on-the-job training

  At training providers, chambers or universities, you teach in further training programs such as courses for certified senior specialist (Fachwirt) or master craftsperson (Meister), and in company training.

  What you bring:

  You can explain logistics, purchasing and supply chains with real examples from your working life.

  How to get there:

  Training providers and chambers use lecturers from practice, usually on a freelance basis and at first alongside their main job. Trainer aptitude under the AEVO (Ausbildereignung) or a course in teaching methods helps. Permanent positions exist mainly at larger training providers and academies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically light

  €5,254gross per monthMedian salary

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• SAP consultant for logistics

  Also: IT consultant for warehouse management systems

  With on-the-job training

  As an IT consultant for logistics software, you gather requirements, set up systems and support rollouts at the customer's site.

  What you bring:

  You know merchandise management and warehouse management systems from the user's side, and you know which processes they must map.

  How to get there:

  Software companies and consultancies train logistics experts on their systems, often with vendor training of a few weeks. Experience from implementation projects is an advantage. Programming is usually not needed.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with peopleIn an office

  €5,568gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of production planning and control

  Also: Head of materials management in production

  With on-the-job training

  In an industrial company, you lead production planning, coordinate orders, materials and staff, and make sure schedules are met.

  What you bring:

  You plan stock, deliveries and capacities and know how material gets to the line on time.

  How to get there:

  Industrial companies often fill these positions with managers from logistics and supply chain and train them on the job in products and manufacturing. A technical understanding of manufacturing is expected, and lean courses help.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contactIn an office

  €6,633gross per monthMedian salary

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• Head of sales for contract logistics

  Also: Head of sales at a logistics service provider

  With on-the-job training

  In sales at a logistics service provider, you win new customers, prepare quotes for contract logistics and negotiate framework agreements.

  What you bring:

  You know what customers expect from a logistics service provider and how to calculate warehouse and transport services.

  How to get there:

  Logistics service providers hire practitioners with industry experience for sales and train them in quote calculation and selling. Expect travel and sales targets.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €7,515gross per monthMedian salary

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• Cargo damage surveyor (Havariekommissar)

  Also: Expert appraiser for transport damage

  With on-the-job training

  As a cargo damage surveyor or expert appraiser, you inspect transport damage for insurers and shipping companies, determine the cause and extent of the damage and write reports.

  What you bring:

  You know packaging, load securing, handling and transport routes and recognize where goods get damaged.

  How to get there:

  Surveying firms (Havariekommissariate) and insurers train logistics experts over a few months, often with courses on transport law and damage assessment. Short-notice assignments on site and good English skills are usually part of the job.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Fixed daytime hours

  €5,261gross per monthMedian salary

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• Logistics sales representative

  Also: Key account manager at a freight forwarder

  With on-the-job training

  In sales at a freight forwarder or logistics provider you win new customers, prepare quotes and tender documents, and look after existing major customers.

  What you bring:

  You know the services, transit times and how transports are priced, and you know what shippers expect from their freight forwarder.

  How to get there:

  This is an internal switch from dispatching or customer service into sales, with on-the-job training (Einarbeitung) that usually lasts a few months. You are expected to have a class B driving license and be willing to travel. For field sales jobs, look for a permanent salaried position rather than pure commission.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,456gross per monthMedian salary

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• Ship broker

  Also: Chartering broker

  With on-the-job training

  As a ship broker or chartering broker you match cargo with ship space between shippers and shipping lines, negotiate freight rates and look after ships during their stay in port.

  What you bring:

  If you work in sea freight, you know shipping lines, ports, containers and sea freight documents.

  How to get there:

  You can switch to a shipping agency or a brokerage house, mainly in Hamburg, Bremen and other port cities, with a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung). Very good English is required. If you want a qualification of your own, you can do the vocational training (Ausbildung) as shipping clerk (Schifffahrtskaufmann), which can be shortened on request based on your existing qualification.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Physically lightLots of contact with people

  €4,955gross per monthMedian salary

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• Marine insurance clerk

  Also: Transport underwriter

  With on-the-job training

  At a transport insurer or insurance broker you assess risks, prepare policies for goods and freight forwarders, and handle transport damage cases.

  What you bring:

  You know liability rules, claims, packaging and transport risks from freight forwarding.

  How to get there:

  Insurers and specialized brokers hire freight forwarding clerks for transport insurance and give them a few months of on-the-job training (Einarbeitung), supplemented by courses on insurance law. If you work directly on arranging insurance at a broker, you need to pass the expertise exam (Sachkundeprüfung) at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). In the inside service of an insurer, this is usually not required.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsFixed daytime hoursPhysically lightIn an officeHome office possible

  €4,797gross per monthMedian salary

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• Road inspection officer

  Also: Road haulage case officer

  With on-the-job training

  In the road inspection service you check trucks and buses on the road for tolls, social regulations, load and permits, and start proceedings in case of violations.

  What you bring:

  You know freight documents, permits, driving and rest times, load securing and dangerous goods rules from working with transports.

  How to get there:

  The Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (Bundesamt für Logistik und Mobilität) and state authorities also hire freight forwarding clerks and professional drivers for inspection services and train them in-house over several months. Shift work and work in the field are part of the job. The job ad states exactly what applies.*

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift workLots of contact with peopleLots of time outdoors

  €3,715gross per monthMedian salary

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• Professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer)

  Also: Truck driver

  With further training

  As a truck driver you bring the goods to the customer yourself and work largely independently on the road.

  What you bring:

  You know loading and unloading, load securing, shipping documents and often also dangerous goods rules from the warehouse.

  How to get there:

  You need a class C or CE driving license plus the accelerated basic qualification (140 hours of classes), which ends with an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). This usually takes a few months in total and can often be funded through an education voucher (Bildungsgutschein). Alternatively, you can do vocational training (Ausbildung) as professional driver (Berufskraftfahrer), which takes three years.*Regulated by law (Professional Driver Qualification Act (BKrFQG), Professional Driver Qualification Ordinance (BKrFQV), Driving License Ordinance (FeV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €3,262gross per monthMedian salary

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• Trainer for warehouse logistics

  With further trainingPromotion

  As a trainer you guide apprentices through their vocational training (Ausbildung), plan learning stations and prepare them for the exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK).

  What you bring:

  You know every area of the warehouse, train new colleagues on the job and explain processes clearly.

  How to get there:

  Alongside your qualification as warehouse logistics specialist (Fachkraft für Lagerlogistik) and work experience, you need the trainer aptitude certificate (Ausbildereignung) under § 30 BBiG, which you prove in an exam at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Preparation courses are optional, and their length depends on the provider. Full-time trainer jobs exist mainly in large logistics companies; otherwise, training is often an additional task.*Regulated by law (Vocational Training Act (BBiG) § 30, Trainer Aptitude Ordinance (AEVO)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Mostly no weekendsPhysically lightLittle customer contact

  €4,462gross per monthMedian salary

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• Customs officer in the mid-level civil service

  With vocational training

  At customs you clear goods, check declarations and documents, inspect shipments, or work in areas such as excise taxes and undeclared work checks.

  What you bring:

  You know the customs tariff, export procedures, tariff preferences and accompanying documents from your daily work with imports and exports.

  How to get there:

  After a selection procedure, you start the preparatory service as a customs officer candidate (Zollsekretäranwärter) in a revocable civil servant relationship (Beamtenverhältnis auf Widerruf), which usually takes two years. You need an intermediate school-leaving certificate (mittlerer Schulabschluss), or a lower secondary school certificate (Hauptschulabschluss) with completed vocational training (Berufsausbildung). You must also meet the general requirements for becoming a civil servant, such as health suitability.*Regulated by law (Ordinance on the Preparatory Service for the Federal Mid-Level Non-Technical Customs Service (MntZollDVDV), Federal Career Ordinance (BLV)).

  * No guarantee of accuracy.

  Shift work

  €4,985gross per monthMedian salary

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Salary: median of all full-time employees in the job, gross per month excluding special payments, as of April 2025. Half earn more, half earn less. Source: Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis), table 62361-0030, license dl-de/by-2-0. Assigned to the jobs by quereinsteiger.de. No guarantee of accuracy.