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Many women self-select themselves out of applying for jobs in the Warehouse/Manufacturing/Logistics/E-commerce business sectors because many think these industries are “for men only” due to their heavy-lifting misconceptions.

Yet these business sectors can be terrific places for women to work – and succeed. Here’s why.

First, how many women work in these industries now?

The multinational professional services company Deloitte reports that the Supply Chain sector (also known as Logistics/Distribution and which includes E-commerce) is “exemplified by the lack of women in [its] workforce.”

The report mentions that a 2019 Gartner study (a company similar to Deloitte) found that women accounted for just 39 percent of the total workforce in the supply chain sector, even though women make up more than half of the total U.S. workforce. What’s more, just 11 percent of C-suite/executive/leadership positions in the sector were held by women then.

The “Way” of Manufacturing/Logistics is Transforming.

Yet, while Supply Chain/Logistics/Manufacturing possibly required more brawn than brains in years past, that is changing, big time. The emergence of robotics and artificial intelligence within these sectors has hugely altered the work done and needed talent. Many employers now are looking for people who not only have the technical skills to run the tech; They’re looking for people they can train to run them.

In addition, the sector has boomed in the last two years, primarily due to COVID-19 lockdowns. Many people continue to stick close to home even after lockdowns have ended. They’ve been buying tons of items online, and the Logistics/E-commerce/Distribution sector has – simply put – shot up and will continue to do so: it’s expected to grow by at least a bit more than $355 BILLION between 2021-2025. Employment, no doubt, will increase with it!

Logistics/E-commerce/Manufacturing employers WILL be training/retraining their workforces.

As ITSupplyChain.com has put it, “the pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology within the Manufacturing industry,” which means that this sector will need to “train and develop a smart workforce, providing them with the skills and knowledge needed” for a growing tech/robotics/automated workplace.

And that means terrific opportunities for women (and men)

As mentioned above, this business sector is expected to grow a ton in the next few years. The forecast cited above mentions through 2025, but we expect it to continue growing beyond that time.

This industry is a great one for anyone to join:

• The national average salary for a Logistics worker as of January 2022, according to Glassdoor, is about $33K.
• If you learn some higher-level skills needed to operate the technology, your income likely will increase. (And remember: many employers will train you in those skills.)
• Many people start working in positions that don’t require a college degree. The vast majority of positions are entry-level and therefore don’t require post-secondary education. In addition, some employers will hire folks without a high school diploma/GED.
• You can easily work your way to a supervisory position (more than likely in the Distribution Center/Warehouse) and a higher salary even without a college degree. You’ll need to speak with your current supervisor and ask what you’ll need in order to do so.
• Many E-commerce/distribution centers work 24/7, so if you need to work third-shift due to school or family obligations, you’ll certainly be able to do so.

A job working in E-commerce/Logistics is one in which you leave it behind once you clock out. It’s the rare line worker who receives an email after their shift from their supervisor asking about the status of a project (as many people who work in offices often do). Your off time, in other words, truly is your own.

Whether you wish to work in the Logistics/Manufacturing/E-commerce sector or not, you should keep in mind how essential this sector is to the health of our economy.

You’ve no doubt been affected by the supply-chain issues in recent months. So you can imagine how bad things could become in the country if Logistics warehouse workers, truck drivers, delivery drivers, and everyone who works in this industry just stopped:

The U.S. economy would, in short, TANK!

Therefore, if you decide to work in this critical U.S. business sector either as a temporary position or as a lifetime career interest, rest assured that you are helping ensure that the lives your neighbors, friends, and loved ones enjoy now can continue.

Whether you’re a woman or a man, we highly encourage you to take a look at our current opportunities in the Logistics/Warehouse/E-commerce sector. Apply to positions that interest you, and be sure to register with us to contact you quickly when new positions open up.

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