Supply Chain vs Logistics: which course should you choose in Switzerland?

The terms logistics and supply chain are often used to refer to the same flow-related issues. However, they do not cover exactly the same scope.

Logistics mainly concerns the organisation and execution of physical flows: receipt, storage, order fulfilment, transport and distribution.

The supply chain takes a broader view. It coordinates all the stages required to meet a customer’s demand, from suppliers through to final delivery, including purchasing, procurement, production, stock management and logistics.

This difference is important when it comes to choosing a training programme in Switzerland: a CFC in Logistics, a Federal Certificate of Competence as a Logistics Specialist, a degree in planning or a course in supply chain management do not prepare students for the same responsibilities.

What are logistics?

Logistics organises the flow of goods and the information required to track them.

It plays a direct role in the day-to-day operations of industrial, commercial, distribution and transport companies.

Stock management and warehousing

The first part of the job involves receiving and storing goods.

In particular, professionals must:

• to take delivery of the goods;
• check their quantity and compliance;
• record transactions in the computer system;
• organise storage areas;
• carry out stock-takes;
• monitor stock levels;
• to ensure the traceability of goods.

Requirements vary from sector to sector. Foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products and industrial components do not require the same storage conditions.

Order fulfilment

Logistics also involves various operations to prepare goods for dispatch:

• picking;
• packaging;
• packaging;
• labelling;
• preparation of the necessary documents.

The aim is to supply the correct goods, in the expected quantity and within the agreed timeframe.

Transport and distribution

The logistics function may also be involved in:

• the preparation of consignments;
• coordination with transport operators;
• the shipping documents;
• customs formalities;
• organising deliveries;
• returns management.

Operations Coordination

With experience, professionals are no longer necessarily confined to carrying out tasks.

He or she may be required to:

• organise a team’s work;
• monitor performance indicators;
• analyse costs;
• to make better use of storage space;
• identify malfunctions;
• optimise processes;
• take part in logistics projects.

These responsibilities are more in line with those of an experienced specialist.

To move in this direction, NCAcademy offers a preparation for the Federal Certificate in Logistics Specialism.

What is the supply chain?

La supply chain covers the entire process required to turn a customer request into a delivered product or service.

Its scope therefore extends beyond logistics.

Purchasing and sourcing

The supply chain often starts with the suppliers.

Purchases are made, in particular, for:

• select suppliers;
• negotiate the terms;
• secure supplies;
• monitor performance;
• to minimise certain risks.

A poor choice of supplier can subsequently have an impact on stock levels, production or delivery times.

Procurement

Procurement aims to ensure that the necessary materials and components are available when required.

One of the challenges is to strike a balance between two situations:

• running out of materials and risking a slowdown or halt in production;
• ordering too much and tying up capital unnecessarily in stock.

Demand forecasting

Companies are also trying to anticipate future needs.

In particular, they can analyse:

• historical sales;
• orders that have already been placed;
• seasonality;
• sales forecasts;
• market trends.

This information is then used to plan material requirements and production volumes.

Production planning

Planning aims to determine what needs to be produced, in what quantities and when.

In particular, it takes into account:

• forecasts; ;
• orders;
• existing stocks;
• available capacity;
• lead times;
• production resources.

For professionals wishing to specialise in this part of the supply chain, NCAcademy offers a Production Planner Certificate.

Logistics and distribution

Once the products have been manufactured, they still need to be stored, orders prepared, transport arranged and the products delivered.

La Logistics is therefore a component of the supply chain, but it does not represent the entire chain.

Supply Chain vs Logistics: what are the differences?

Criterion	Logistics	Supply Chain
Scope	Supply Chain Management and Logistics Operations	The entire supply chain, from supplier to customer
Main activities	Storage, handling, transport, distribution	Purchasing, procurement, forecasting, production, logistics
Horizon	Mainly short and medium term	Short, medium and long term
Decision-making level	Operational and tactical	Tactical and strategic
Objective	Ensuring operations run smoothly	Synchronise all feeds
Tools	WMS, TMS, ERP, scanners	ERP, MRP, planning, forecasting, BI
Contacts	Warehouse, production, hauliers	Suppliers, procurement, production, sales, finance, logistics

However, this distinction needs to be qualified.

In an SME, a single person may be responsible for procurement, planning, stock management and logistics.

In a large industrial company, these responsibilities are usually shared amongst several specialists.

What sort of jobs are there in logistics?

Logistics Specialist (CFC)

The Logistics Specialist (CFC) works primarily in operations.

Depending on the environment, it can be used in:

• at reception;
• control;
• storage;
• preparation;
• the shipment;
• distribution.

The CFC is an initial vocational training programme designed to provide the foundations of the trade.

Logistics specialist with a Federal Certificate

The Logistics Specialist holds a position of greater responsibility.

In particular, he may:

• plan workflows;
• monitor processes;
• manage resources;
• optimise storage;
• contribute to continuous improvement;
• lead small teams;
• to take charge of certain projects.

The Federal Certificate is therefore aimed primarily at professionals who already have experience in the sector.

Logistics Manager or Warehouse Manager

With more experience, responsibilities may extend to the overall management of a warehouse, a team or a logistics operation.

Which jobs are most commonly found in the supply chain?

Procurement Officer

The procurement officer ensures that the necessary materials and components are available at the appropriate time.

In particular, he monitors requirements, stock levels, supplier orders and lead times.

Production Planner

The planner converts business requirements into production requirements.

He can work with a variety of tools and concepts:

• forecasts;
• PIC;
• PDP;
• MRP/CBN;
• capabilities;
• expenses;
• stock levels.

To find out more about this profession, please also see our article on the the role of the production planner in Swiss industry.

Production scheduler

The Planner and the Scheduler deal with complementary issues.

The Scheduler generally focuses more on the short term: they organise the order in which operations are carried out, taking into account resources, machinery, priorities and unforeseen circumstances on the shop floor.

To understand the difference in detail, see Production planner or scheduler: what are the differences?.

NCAcademy also offers a Certificate in Production Workshop Management (Scheduler).

Supply Chain Planner

The Supply Chain Planner works across a broader range of areas.

In particular, they may work on:

• forecasts; ;
• stocks;
• supplies;
• production; ;
• product availability;
• coordination between several departments.

Supply Chain Manager

The Supply Chain Manager generally oversees a broader and more strategic remit.

In particular, he seeks to strike a balance between:

• level of service;
• availability;
• costs;
• stocks;
• capabilities;
• deadlines;
• supplier risks.

What skills do you need to develop?

Flow and stock management

Understanding how goods move and how stock levels are determined remains fundamental.

Analysis and planning

As responsibilities increase, you need to be able to analyse:

• stocks;
• capabilities;
• forecasts; ;
• deadlines;
• costs;
• performance indicators.

Proficiency in digital tools

Professionals can use a number of systems.

ERP
It centralises a large proportion of the company’s data: orders, stock, purchases, production and resources.

WMS
It is mainly used to manage warehouse operations.

TMS
It makes it easier to organise and monitor transport.

MRP
In particular, it enables the calculation of material requirements based on the planned production.

Planning, business intelligence and forecasting tools can also complement these systems.

Lean and continuous improvement

Lean, 5S and process analysis methods help to identify wasted time, unnecessary stock, unnecessary movements and operations that do not add value.

Communication and negotiation

Logistics and the supply chain are cross-functional areas.

It is therefore important to liaise regularly with:

• suppliers;
• purchases;
• production;
• trade;
• finance;
• carriers;
• management.

Which course should you choose in Switzerland?

The Swiss education system offers several levels of education.

The choice depends mainly on your starting point and your chosen career.

CFC in Logistics: to learn the basics

For someone without significant experience, the CFC in Logistics provides a structured pathway.

Initial training usually lasts 3 years and combines work experience with vocational training.

It focuses primarily on preparing personnel for field operations.

Federal Certificate in Logistics: to advance your career

For someone already working in the sector, the Federal Certificate of Competence as a Logistics Specialist represents a higher level.

According to Orientation.ch, the course is generally modular and may cover topics such as 1.5 years, depending on the service provider and the organisation chosen.

In particular, the programme helps students to develop skills in:

• supply;
• production;
• storage;
• distribution;
• resource management;
• flow management;
• continuous improvement;
• team leadership;
• project management.

Federal Diploma in Supply Chain Management: for a broader scope

For experienced professionals wishing to move into overall supply chain management, the Swiss system also offers a Federal Diploma in Supply Chain Management.

It corresponds to a higher level of vocational training and is aimed more at:

• supply chain strategy;
• flow management;
• inter-departmental coordination;
• the management of complex organisations;
• managing teams or departments.

HES Bachelor’s degrees and continuing professional development

The academic route or HES also offers a number of options.

A Bachelor of Applied Sciences (HES) in Industrial Engineering and Management may, for example, cover:

• production;
• industrialisation;
• logistics;
• organisation;
• process management.

Continuing professional development courses such as CAS and DAS in Supply Chain Management are aimed more at professionals who already hold a tertiary qualification or have significant experience.

They can explore the following in more depth:

• purchases;
• sourcing;
• supply chain;
• planning;
• digitalisation;
• risk management;
• sustainability.

Which course should you choose based on your profile?

You’re just starting out with no experience

Your priority is to learn the basics and gain some initial practical experience.

Possible career path: CFC in Logistics.

You’re already working in logistics

You have a firm grasp of operations and would like to do more to organise, coordinate or optimise them.

Possible career path: Federal Certificate in Logistics.

In particular, it enables participants to develop their skills in workflow management, process improvement and team leadership.

You are an experienced logistics professional and would like to move into planning

Would you like to get more involved in:

• needs;
• capabilities;
• stocks;
• forecasts; ;
• production programmes.

Specialised training may then be appropriate, such as the NCAcademy Production Planner Certificate.

Would you like to organise the production run in the workshop?

If your focus is more on production priorities, the sequence of operations and day-to-day capacity management, scheduling may be more appropriate.

In particular, you can view the NCAcademy Certificate in Production Workshop Management (Scheduler).

Are you aiming for a global role as a Supply Chain Manager?

If you already have significant experience and wish to manage several stages of the process, a higher-level qualification may be more suitable:

• Federal Diploma in Supply Chain Management;
• CASE; ;
• DAS; ;
• specialised university of applied sciences programme.

What are the salaries like in logistics and supply chain management in Switzerland?

Remuneration figures should be interpreted with caution, as they depend, in particular, on:

• of the function;
• from experience;
• of the canton; ;
• in the sector; ;
• the level of training;
• the size of the company; ;
• the duties performed.

The data available for the Swiss market generally puts the starting salary for operational logistics roles at around CHF 4,000 gross per month, with levels that can approach CHF 5,000 depending on experience, role and region.

For certain more specialised roles within the supply chain, salaries may start at around CHF 5,000 per month and move towards CHF 7,000 or more when responsibilities become greater.

These figures should be regarded as indicative figures.

It would be somewhat misleading to compare a «logistics salary» directly with a «supply chain salary»: a Logistics Technician (CFC) and a Supply Chain Manager do not perform the same role or hold the same level of responsibility.

Conclusion: Supply Chain or Logistics – which path should you choose?

La logistics and the supply chain are not two opposing fields.

Logistics is an essential part of the supply chain. It focuses in particular on stock levels, warehousing, transport, order fulfilment and distribution.

The supply chain now covers a broader scope, also coordinating suppliers, purchasing, procurement, forecasting, production and customer demand.

The choice of training course therefore depends on the level at which you wish to work:

• get started in the field → CFC in Logistics;
• move towards coordination and logistical management → Federal Certificate in Logistics;
• to specialise in industrial planning → Production Planner training;
• oversee day-to-day operations in the workshop → training in scheduling;
• manage the entire supply chain → A federal qualification or higher education qualification in Supply Chain Management.

So the right question is not simply «supply chain or logistics?», but rather: What sort of responsibilities would you like to take on within the supply chain?

Sources and references

Orientation.ch – Logistics Specialist (BF)
Orientation.ch – Logistics Specialist (CFC)
SEFRI – Higher vocational education and federal examinations
GS1 Switzerland – Training and qualifications in logistics / supply chain management
procure.ch – Procurement and Supply Management in Switzerland
HES-SO – Courses in engineering and industrial management
HEG Geneva – Continuing Professional Development and Supply Chain Management