Logistics and Transportation Management
Determining and managing logistics and transportation activities to maximize contribution to organizational effectiveness.
Level 1 Introductory: Demonstrates introductory understanding and ability and, with guidance, applies the competency in a few, simple situations. Can direct people to the appropriate source for further information.
BEHAVIORS
- Explains the significance of different transportation methods and associated costs.
- Applies transportation policies, principles, methods and constraints.
- Modifies delivery methods, in order to be able to best meet requirements.
- Tracks and reports the progress of supplies being transported.
- Checks transportation schedules to ensure supplies are ready for transport.
QUESTIONS
- Tell me about a project in which you observed a positive or negative change in transport methods.
Probing Questions
* What was the reason for the change?
* What role did you have in the project?
* How could the change process have been improved?
* What was the outcome?
* What lessons did you learn from this project?
Level 2 Basic: Demonstrates basic knowledge and ability and, with guidance, can apply the competency in common situations that present limited difficulties.
BEHAVIORS
- Obtains, collates and evaluates data on the progress of supplies being transported, highlighting problems and offering solutions.
- Schedules the transportation of supplies, taking into account any risks or problems in consultation with colleagues.
- Describes the roles and responsibilities of delivery service providers.
- Maintains overall records in a department keeping storage processes effective and information current and secure.
- Explains the principles and systems used for the physical storage of stock.
- Obtains and collates data on the supplies being stored.
- Identifies any problem with the facilities or supplies for resolution by colleagues.
- Identifies minimum storage requirements for supplies i.e. must be kept dry.
QUESTIONS
- Describe a situation where your overall understanding of issues allowed you to highlight a transport or logistics problem.
Probing Questions
* What information allowed you to recognize the problem?
* What did you do as a result?
* How did you brief your colleagues?
* What was the outcome of your actions?
* What would you do next time to ensure the challenge was mitigated?
Level 3 Intermediate: Demonstrates solid knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency, with minimal or no guidance, in the full range of typical situations. Would require guidance to handle novel or more complex situations.
BEHAVIORS
- Plans and selects the transportation of supplies following review of current practices.
- Identifies and resolves any problems or risks with the transportation of supplies, in consultation with stakeholders.
- Evaluates the requirements for the storage of supplies.
- Proposes improvements to storage in consultation with colleagues.
- Recommends new or revised policies and procedures pertaining to storage, re-order and inventory limits.
- Determines approaches that would yield the optimal balance between storage costs and speed of delivery to operations.
- Provides input into new or revised policies and procedures pertaining to material management.
- Evaluates changes to the logistics network in order to access new opportunities.
QUESTIONS
- Tell me about a time you decided how an item would be stored or transported.
Probing Questions
* What were the key criteria for your selection?
* Did you change your approach during the process?
* What changes did you recommend?
* How did you identify key risks?
* What was the outcome?
Level 4 Advanced: Demonstrates advanced knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency in new or complex situations. Guides other professionals.
BEHAVIORS
- Decides and implements the optimal transportation strategy considering value for money and sustainability.
- Reviews proposed new or revised acquisition policies and procedures to identify issues with and requirements for logistics operations.
- Develops storage strategies and plans.
- Oversees the implementation and effectiveness of all logistics operations.
- Assesses complex acquisition plans to identify specialized logistics requirements.
- Builds sound business cases for changes to logistics operations activities.
- Tracks potential changes to logistics network in order to proactively access new opportunities.
QUESTIONS
- Tell me how you assessed the requirements for a change in logistics or transport management policy.
Probing Questions
* What were the key drivers?
* What challenges were associated with the change?
* How did you brief other team members?
* What long-term impacts did you have to consider?
* What was the outcome?
Level 5 Expert: Demonstrates expert knowledge and ability, and can apply the competency in the most complex situations. Develops new approaches, methods or policies in the area. Is recognized as an expert, internally and/or externally.
BEHAVIORS
- Approves business cases for complex logistics and storage facilities.
- Develops strategic logistics alliances to maximize return on investment.
- Oversees the development of the organization's logistics and transportation framework including policies and procedures.
- Develops and supports the logistics and transportation review and monitoring program to ensure compliance with policies and decisions.
- Ensures sustainable development considerations are addressed in all logistics and transportation decisions.
- Approves the strategy for central storage of goods.
- Develops storage strategies that meet the needs of the organization and optimizes supply chain costs.
- Proactively develops advantageous logistics network changes.
QUESTIONS
- Tell me about a time you developed an advantageous logistics network.
Probing Questions
* What was your input to the process?
* What worked well?
* How was it received by your organization?
* What suggestions would you make to improve it next time?
* How has the logistics network impacted the organization?