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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Warehouse Logistics Analyst

💰 $50,000 - $85,000

LogisticsSupply ChainWarehouse OperationsData Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

The Warehouse Logistics Analyst is a data-driven operations professional responsible for analyzing and optimizing warehouse processes to improve inventory accuracy, drive order fulfillment efficiency, and reduce operational costs. This role blends hands-on warehouse knowledge with analytical rigor: you will own WMS data reconciliation, design KPI dashboards, lead continuous improvement projects, support labor and capacity planning, and partner cross-functionally to scale reliable distribution operations. Ideal candidates have strong Excel and SQL skills, experience with a warehouse management system (WMS) and ERP integration, and a demonstrated track record delivering process improvements and measurable supply chain outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Logistics Coordinator
  • Inventory Control Specialist
  • Supply Chain or Operations Analyst

Advancement To:

  • Senior Warehouse Logistics Analyst
  • Warehouse Operations Manager
  • Supply Chain Analyst / Manager
  • Distribution Center Manager

Lateral Moves:

  • Transportation Planner
  • Inventory Control Manager
  • Demand Planning Analyst

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Analyze daily and historical warehouse operations data to identify root causes of inventory discrepancies, inaccurate shipments, and cycle-count variances, then recommend and implement corrective actions to improve inventory accuracy and reduce stockouts.
  • Design, build and maintain automated KPI dashboards and executive reports (Power BI, Tableau, Excel) that surface on-time shipments, pick accuracy, dock-to-stock time, order cycle time, labor productivity, and space utilization to support operational decision-making.
  • Own WMS and ERP data reconciliation processes, validate serial/lot tracking and transaction flows, troubleshoot exceptions, and partner with IT to implement fixes and process controls that reduce manual adjustments and reconciliation time.
  • Lead continuous improvement and cost reduction projects using Lean, Six Sigma, or Kaizen methodologies to optimize slotting, reduce travel time, consolidate SKUs, and improve packing and staging workflows.
  • Perform regular cycle count analysis, design targeted count plans for high-risk SKUs, and coordinate physical inventory audits to ensure compliance with inventory policies and GAAP hierarchy for inventory valuation.
  • Partner with operations and planning teams to develop and refine labor models and capacity plans that align staffing levels to projected volumes, peak seasons, and service-level agreements while minimizing overtime and agency spend.
  • Collaborate with transportation and carrier teams to analyze freight and parcel metrics, optimize carrier selection and routing, and reduce outbound shipping cost per order while maintaining delivery lead times.
  • Conduct root cause analysis on order exceptions, returns, and customer claims, then develop standard operating procedures and training materials to eliminate recurring errors and improve customer satisfaction.
  • Manage inbound receiving processes by analyzing ASN and PO receipt discrepancies, improving putaway efficiency, and ensuring accurate first-time receipts into the WMS.
  • Build statistical forecasts and short-term demand insights with warehouse data (shipment velocity, sales patterns, seasonal trends) to inform safety stock recommendations and reduce excess or obsolete inventory.
  • Drive slotting optimization projects using SKU velocity and cube analysis to maximize pick density, improve picker ergonomics, and reduce average pick time per line.
  • Establish and monitor SLA metrics for third-party logistics (3PL) partners and on-site vendors, run performance reviews, and implement corrective action plans where KPIs are not met.
  • Support implementation, testing, and roll-out of WMS, TMS, or ERP enhancements including requirements gathering, user acceptance testing (UAT), data migration validation, and post-implementation support to ensure operational continuity.
  • Quantify and report on the financial impact of operational improvements including reduced carrying costs, increased throughput, reduced error rates, and improved labor efficiency to stakeholders and leadership.
  • Conduct cost-to-serve and landed cost analyses to evaluate profitability at SKU, customer, and channel levels and recommend operational strategies to improve margins.
  • Apply advanced Excel modeling and SQL queries to extract, clean, and model warehouse transaction data for ad-hoc analyses, recurring reports, and predictive insights that support strategic decisions.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
  • Prepare and deliver clear, actionable presentations for cross-functional stakeholders, highlighting trends, risks, and recommended interventions.
  • Provide training and documentation for warehouse staff on new processes, systems changes, and best practices to sustain process improvements.
  • Maintain compliance with safety regulations, OSHA policies, and site-specific operating procedures while recommending process changes that improve safety and ergonomics.
  • Assist with returns processing and reverse logistics analysis to identify root causes, recapture value, and improve return-to-stock timelines.
  • Evaluate packaging and kitting strategies to reduce dimensional weight costs, minimize damage in transit, and improve pick-pack efficiency.
  • Participate in cross-functional project teams for new site launches, peak season planning, and SKU introductions to ensure operational readiness and scalable processes.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficient with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, Blue Yonder (JDA), HighJump, or SAP EWM; experience with configuration, transaction flows, and data reconciliation.
  • Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, INDEX/MATCH, Power Query, VBA/macros) for modeling, analysis and automation.
  • Strong SQL querying ability to extract, join, aggregate, and transform large transaction datasets for analysis and reporting.
  • Experience building dashboards and visualizations in Power BI, Tableau, or Looker to monitor KPIs and operational health.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and understanding of how warehouse modules integrate with financials and procurement.
  • Knowledge of inventory management practices including cycle counting, ABC analysis, perpetual inventory, and FIFO/FEFO.
  • Understanding of transportation and parcel systems, freight cost analysis, and carrier management best practices.
  • Practical experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement tools (DMAIC, Kaizen events) in warehouse or distribution environments.
  • Basic scripting or ETL awareness (Python, SQL-based ETL tools) to automate recurring data tasks is a plus.
  • Ability to perform demand/velocity analysis, slotting optimization, and capacity planning using statistical or heuristic approaches.
  • Familiarity with regulatory and compliance requirements related to storage, handling, and shipping of goods (e.g., hazardous materials rules) where applicable.

Soft Skills

  • Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving capabilities and attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills for cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder reporting.
  • Project management skills with the ability to manage multiple initiatives, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
  • Influencing skills to drive change in operational teams and to gain buy-in for process improvements.
  • Customer-focused orientation with the ability to translate operational metrics into tangible business outcomes.
  • Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, high-volume distribution environments.
  • Collaborative team player who can work effectively with operations, procurement, IT, finance, and carrier partners.
  • Initiative and ownership — proactively identify improvement opportunities and drive them to completion.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics, Logistics, Operations Management, or related field; or equivalent work experience.

Preferred Education:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree with a specialization in Supply Chain, Analytics, or Industrial Engineering.
  • Certifications such as APICS/ASCM (CPIM/CSCP), Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), or Certified Supply Chain Professional are a plus.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Industrial or Systems Engineering
  • Business Analytics / Data Science
  • Operations Management
  • Logistics and Transportation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5+ years of progressive experience in warehouse operations, logistics analytics, inventory control, or supply chain analysis; mid-level roles may require 3–7 years.

Preferred:

  • Proven track record implementing process improvements in a distribution center or 3PL environment.
  • Hands-on experience with WMS configuration, SQL-based reporting, and dashboarding tools.
  • Experience supporting site launches, peak season planning, or WMS/ERP implementations is highly desirable.
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