With today (8th March 2024) being International Women’s Day, Christina Dennstedt, Manager Mid Market Sales, DACH, Samsara, orrers her thoughts and the thoughts of others in logistics on where we are in encouraging women into the industry.
Christina Dennstedt
There’s no getting away from it — logistics has long been seen as a male-dominated sector. Front-line jobs in transport, warehousing, supply chain management and procurement have all traditionally been done by men.
And to a certain extent, the same is true today. However, I’m pleased to say that things are changing — albeit slowly.
According to figures published by Logistics UK last year, fewer than one in five roles in logistics is held by women. But the trade organisation is optimistic that those numbers can increase.
Speaking ahead of last year’s International Women’s Day, Jonas Keat, Policy Advisor for Skills at Logistics UK, explained that the industry offers “excellent opportunities for progression as well as a working schedule which can fit around other commitments, such as family life.”
“In the past, women may not have considered a career in logistics, but the industry has much to offer in terms of opportunity for those seeking a new career,” said Keat.
Logistics offers women a fulfilling career
Despite the progress that’s been made, social, cultural and organisational barriers continue to stand in the way of women looking to build a successful career. Operational roles tend to be viewed as ‘more male’, which may discourage women from considering a career in the industry.
And even those who have decided that logistics is their chosen field, some may be unsure about which path to take — mostly because of the lack of female role models to signpost the way ahead.
“Women don’t necessarily see where they can fit into businesses in the logistics sector,” said Haylie Orton, Head of Bids & Marketing, Lanes Group plc. “I think it probably has a lot to do with stereotypes. They see the operational roles as being more male. However, we have female engineers within our workforce.”
This is why the industry needs to shift gear if it wants to achieve a more representative gender balance.
The good news, though, is that these challenges are not insurmountable. Many organisations in the industry are waking up to the benefits of gender parity in the workplace, boosting their efforts to recruit more women and promote equality.
“In my experience, when people think of logistics, stereotypically they think of tough blokes doing hard physical labour,” said Charlotte Olliver, Marketing Communications Manager, M Group Services.
“But that misperception is changing, even for men. You see it in the way people treat each other and how we talk about the sector as a whole.”
There is also a growing recognition of how diversity can bring innovation and improve problem-solving which is gradually helping to break down stereotypes about gender roles.
“I like to think that women will find it easier and easier to enter the industry, compared with 14 years ago when I started,” said Orton. “There’s definitely been progress.”
Positive signs of change
As someone who works for a technology company that is part of the digital transformation of the industry, I’ve witnessed first-hand the changes happening all around. I see the impact our technology has on making the industry safer, more efficient and more sustainable.
I may not drive a lorry or van — or work in a warehouse. But the technology we provide is working side-by-side with the people who do, making the industry more attractive not just to women, but to a whole new generation of recruits.
“Logistics is such an exciting place to be right now due to this ongoing transformation,” says Lorraine Sculley, Head of Marketing at Fraikin.
“In the past five to 10 years, data has become so critical. As we move into a new world of connected operations and accelerate innovations in areas like alternative fuels, there’s even more diversity in the roles out there.”
“Working in logistics is so rewarding. Our work had a direct impact on the smooth running of those essential services like food, drink, building supplies, and the NHS,” she said.
I might be biased, but I believe that the logistics industry can offer women a diverse and fulfilling career. There are so many different roles to consider. But what’s most rewarding for me is the fact that we work in an industry upon which the whole world relies. And it seems I am not alone.
“There are many new job opportunities thanks to innovation in the sector,” said Olliver. “It’s just making sure that we shout about them enough so that women — and men — know what’s out there.”
Wherever you look — from warehousing to driving, marketing to management — logistics offers a career for everyone.
Yes, the industry still has a lot of work to do to support women to thrive in a logistics career. But it’s great to see the efforts being made by employers, policymakers, industry leaders and, of course, the women already in the field. I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.
