Career Pathways in Supply Chain Logistics

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, roles, and terminology of supply chain logistics based on foundational training materials.

Inventories

Controlled quantities of materials contained within storage, production, warehousing, and distribution facilities.

Raw materials

Materials consisting of items ready for use in production.

Work-in-Process (WIP)

Materials currently being processed within a facility.

Finished goods

Finished products ready for storage or shipment.

In-transit products

Products that are in the process of being transported from a supplier to a customer.

OSHA 10-hour Safety Card

An entry-level certification often required for frontline jobs in logistics and warehouse safety.

Certified Logistics Associates and Technician (CLA and CLT)

Industry credentials earned to qualify for higher positions and salary levels within the supply chain.

Material movers, packers and freight handlers

Entry-level and frontline positions with an expected starting pay of approximately $35,000$ and up.

Director of distribution

A high-level management position with an average salary level in the $150,000$ range.

Receiving

The function encompassing the physical receipt of material, identifying goods, inspecting for correct quantity and quality, and filling out reports.

Bill of lading

A document used during the receiving process to inspect shipments for the correct quantity and quality.

Stock keeping units (SKUs)

Specific identifiers used in receiving reports to track individual items and quantities.

Cross-docking

The process of moving items directly from an incoming vehicle to an outgoing vehicle with little or no storage time in between.

Order processing

The activity required to administratively process a customer's order and assemble products from various locations to make them ready for shipment.

Picking

A term associated with order processing that can include full case, repack, and bulk or pallet retrieval.

Packaging

Materials surrounding an item to protect it from damage during transportation.

Shipping

A function usually determined by the customer that includes carrier selection, product labeling, weighing, and preparing documents like packing slips.

Transportation lanes

Routes used to move inventory between facilities along a particular mode of transportation using vehicles and containers.

Five basic modes of transportation

The carriers of transportation divided into truck, air, rail, water, and pipeline.

Order cycle time

The time it takes to process an order from the time the order is received from the customer until the order is delivered.

Demand

A need for a particular product or component.

Supply

The process of sourcing and building product inventory to established targets based on customer needs, or the quantity of goods available for sale.

Warehouse

A facility primarily used to store inventory.

Distribution centers

A warehouse facility specifically holding finished goods and/or service items for customer fulfillment.

Supply chain

The global network used to deliver products and services from raw materials to end customers through an engineered flow of information, physical distribution, and cash.