Logistics Coordinator Job Description in the GCC: Roles, Requirements & Responsibilities

Logistics Coordinator Role Overview

Logistics coordinators are the operational backbone of the GCC's global trade infrastructure. The Gulf sits at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa, handling an enormous volume of goods — from crude oil and petrochemicals to consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals, and e-commerce packages. Dubai's Jebel Ali Port is the world's largest man-made harbor, handling over 14 million TEUs annually. Saudi Arabia's Dammam port and the King Abdullah Port serve as the kingdom's primary trade gateways. Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman each maintain active port and free zone operations.

The logistics sector in the GCC employs hundreds of thousands of professionals and is growing at 7–9% annually, driven by e-commerce expansion, Vision 2030 trade diversification in Saudi Arabia, and the UAE's ambition to become the world's leading logistics hub. Major employers include DP World, Agility, Aramex, KIZAD, RSA Global, GAC Group, DHL, FedEx, Maersk, and Kuehne+Nagel. Retailers like Noon, Amazon (MENA), Talabat, and Chalhoub Group also hire logistics coordinators for their supply chain and fulfillment operations.

The logistics coordinator role is the operational nerve center — you are the person who ensures shipments move from origin to destination on time, within budget, and in compliance with customs regulations. It is fast-paced, detail-intensive, and requires constant coordination across shipping lines, freight forwarders, customs brokers, warehouse teams, and clients.

Key Responsibilities

A logistics coordinator in the GCC handles the end-to-end coordination of inbound and outbound shipments:

Shipment Coordination

• Coordinate international and domestic shipments across sea freight (FCL, LCL), air freight, and road transport. The GCC's trade corridors span the Indian subcontinent, Far East, Europe, and Africa, requiring knowledge of diverse shipping routes and transit times.
• Book freight with shipping lines and airlines — negotiate rates with carriers (Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, Emirates SkyCargo, Etihad Cargo), obtain quotes, and select optimal routing based on cost, transit time, and cargo requirements.
• Prepare and verify shipping documentation — bills of lading (B/L), airway bills (AWB), commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin, and phytosanitary certificates. Documentation accuracy is critical — errors can cause customs delays and demurrage charges that cost thousands of dirhams per day.
• Track shipments in real-time using TMS (Transportation Management Systems), carrier tracking portals, and GPS monitoring. Proactively communicate status updates to clients, sales teams, and warehouse staff.
• Coordinate with warehouse teams for loading, unloading, cross-docking, and inventory management. Many GCC logistics companies operate in free zones (JAFZA, DAFZA, KIZAD, Dammam Second Industrial City) with specific handling procedures.

Customs & Compliance

• Coordinate customs clearance through licensed customs brokers. Understanding of UAE Federal Customs Authority procedures, Saudi Customs (Zatca) requirements, and GCC Common External Tariff is essential. HS code classification affects duty rates and import permissions.
• Ensure compliance with import/export regulations — restricted goods lists, dual-use items, food safety requirements (for perishable logistics), and pharmaceutical handling regulations vary by GCC country. UAE's FTA portal and Saudi Arabia's Fasah customs platform are the primary digital clearance systems.
• Manage free zone operations — JAFZA (Jebel Ali Free Zone), DAFZA (Dubai Airport Free Zone), SAGIA (Saudi), and QFC (Qatar) each have specific customs and documentation requirements for goods entering and leaving free zone boundaries.
• Handle re-export documentation — the GCC, particularly Dubai, is a major re-export hub. Coordinating transit cargo documentation for goods moving through UAE free zones to final destinations in Africa, CIS, or South Asia is a core function.

Stakeholder Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact between clients, carriers, customs brokers, and internal teams. In the GCC logistics industry, relationships are everything — regular carriers, brokers, and clearing agents become essential partners.
• Resolve shipment issues and exceptions — container rollovers, port congestion, customs holds, documentation discrepancies, and cargo damage. Problem-solving speed directly impacts client satisfaction and operational costs.
• Provide quotations and rate comparisons to clients for different shipping modes and routings. Understanding of Incoterms 2020 (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP, DAP) is essential for accurate quoting and responsibility allocation.
• Generate operational reports — shipment status summaries, KPI dashboards (on-time delivery rate, cost per shipment, customs clearance time), and exception reports for management review.

Required Qualifications

Education

A bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, International Trade, or a related field is preferred. However, logistics coordination is one of the more accessible roles in the GCC — some employers accept diplomas or relevant work experience in lieu of a degree, particularly for junior positions. For visa purposes, any degree must be properly attested.

Technical Skills

Logistics coordinators in the GCC need a practical skill set focused on operational execution:

• ERP/TMS Systems: SAP MM/WM, Oracle Logistics, CargoWise (dominant among freight forwarders), Descartes, or similar. CargoWise proficiency is the single most marketable software skill in GCC freight forwarding.
• Microsoft Excel: Advanced proficiency — pivot tables, VLOOKUP, data analysis for rate comparisons, shipment tracking, and cost analysis. Excel remains the workhorse tool in GCC logistics operations.
• Customs Platforms: Familiarity with UAE's Mirsal 2 (Dubai Customs), FTA portal, Saudi Zatca's Fasah system, and Bahrain Customs ASYCUDA. Practical customs clearance knowledge is highly valued.
• Incoterms 2020: Thorough understanding of all 11 Incoterms and their implications for cost allocation, risk transfer, and documentation requirements.
• Documentation: Expertise in preparing and verifying B/Ls, AWBs, letters of credit documentation, certificates of origin, and dangerous goods declarations (IMDG/IATA DGR for hazmat shipments).
• Communication: Strong written and verbal English. Email communication with international counterparts must be clear, precise, and professional.

Experience & Salary

• Logistics Assistant/Trainee (0-2 years): Data entry, document preparation, and basic coordination under supervision. Typical salary: AED 4,000–8,000/month.
• Logistics Coordinator (2-5 years): Independent shipment management, client communication, and customs coordination. Typical salary: AED 8,000–15,000/month.
• Senior Logistics Coordinator (5-8 years): Complex multi-modal shipments, key account management, and junior team supervision. Typical salary: AED 15,000–22,000/month.
• Logistics Manager (8+ years): Department leadership, strategic carrier relationships, and P&L responsibility. Typical salary: AED 22,000–40,000/month.

Preferred Qualifications

These qualifications strengthen your candidacy for logistics coordinator roles in the GCC:

• CILT (Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport) certification — recognized across the GCC as the industry benchmark for logistics professionalism.
• Dangerous Goods certification — IATA DGR or IMDG Code certification is required for handling hazardous materials, common in the GCC's petrochemical and chemical logistics sector.
• GCC logistics experience — understanding of regional customs procedures, free zone operations, and trade lanes is a significant advantage. The GCC has unique logistics patterns that differ from other markets.
• Arabic language skills — useful for customs documentation, communication with Arabic-speaking customs officials, and client interactions. Not mandatory but a genuine advantage.
• Cold chain/perishable logistics experience — the GCC imports 85–90% of its food, creating enormous demand for temperature-controlled logistics professionals.
• E-commerce fulfillment experience — last-mile delivery and warehouse fulfillment for platforms like Noon, Amazon, and Namshi is a fast-growing sector in the GCC.
• CargoWise certification — the leading freight forwarding software in the GCC. Certified practitioners are in high demand.

Work Environment & Benefits

Logistics coordinator positions in the GCC offer practical benefits packages:

• Base salary plus annual bonus (typically 1 month, sometimes performance-linked)
• Housing allowance — AED 2,500–6,000/month depending on seniority and employer
• Annual flight allowance for employee (and sometimes dependents)
• Health insurance for employee and family
• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays
• End-of-service gratuity per local labor law
• Overtime pay — logistics coordinators often work beyond standard hours during peak shipping periods, year-end, and Ramadan pre-stocking. Overtime is compensated per labor law.
• Transport allowance or company transport — particularly relevant for roles based in industrial/port areas (JAFZA, KIZAD) which may be far from residential areas

The work environment is typically office-based in logistics company headquarters, free zone offices, or client sites, with occasional visits to ports, warehouses, and customs facilities. Standard hours are Sunday–Thursday (or Monday–Friday at some companies), 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, though urgent shipments may require after-hours coordination. The pace is fast and deadline-driven — shipping cut-off times, customs clearance windows, and flight schedules wait for no one.

How to Stand Out as a Candidate

The GCC logistics coordinator market draws candidates primarily from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Egypt, and Lebanon. Competition is significant at junior levels. To stand out:

• Get CargoWise certified — if you are in freight forwarding, this is the single most valuable software certification you can have for the GCC market. Many employers filter explicitly for CargoWise experience.
• Learn GCC customs procedures — even basic knowledge of Mirsal 2, Fasah, and GCC tariff structures shows practical readiness that classroom qualifications cannot.
• Quantify your throughput — “Managed 150+ shipments per month across sea, air, and land modes” or “Achieved 97% on-time delivery rate across 2,000+ annual shipments” demonstrates operational capacity.
• Highlight trade lane expertise — GCC employers care about which routes you know. Far East to GCC, India to GCC, and GCC re-export to Africa are the highest-volume lanes.
• Optimize for ATS keywords — include terms like freight forwarding, customs clearance, bill of lading, Incoterms, CargoWise, free zone, and supply chain coordination in your resume.

Sample Logistics Coordinator Job Description Template

Use this template to understand what GCC logistics employers seek or to benchmark your resume:

Position: Logistics Coordinator

Department: Operations / Supply Chain / Logistics
Reports to: Logistics Manager / Operations Manager
Location: [City], [Country] (e.g., JAFZA, Dubai / Dammam, Saudi Arabia)
Employment Type: Full-time

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented Logistics Coordinator to manage end-to-end shipment operations for our [freight forwarding / 3PL / trading / e-commerce] business. You will handle [X]+ shipments per month across sea, air, and land modes, serving clients in [describe sectors/regions]. This role requires strong organizational skills, customs knowledge, and the ability to work under pressure.

What You'll Do

• Coordinate inbound and outbound shipments (FCL, LCL, air freight, road transport)
• Book freight with carriers and negotiate competitive rates
• Prepare and verify all shipping documentation (B/L, AWB, invoices, packing lists, COO)
• Coordinate customs clearance through brokers; ensure documentation compliance
• Track shipments and provide proactive status updates to clients and internal teams
• Liaise with warehouse teams for loading, unloading, and inventory coordination
• Resolve shipment exceptions including delays, documentation errors, and cargo issues
• Maintain accurate records in CargoWise / ERP system
• Prepare weekly shipment and KPI reports for management

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in Logistics, Supply Chain, or related field
• [X]+ years of logistics coordination experience, preferably in the GCC
• Proficiency in CargoWise, SAP, or similar TMS/ERP system
• Strong knowledge of Incoterms, customs procedures, and shipping documentation
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Excellent English communication (written and verbal)
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple shipments simultaneously

Nice to Have

• CILT or equivalent logistics certification
• Dangerous Goods handling certification (IATA DGR / IMDG)
• Arabic language proficiency
• Cold chain / perishable logistics experience
• Free zone operations experience (JAFZA, DAFZA, KIZAD)

What We Offer

• Competitive tax-free salary
• Housing allowance
• Annual flight ticket
• Health insurance
• 30 days annual leave
• Overtime compensation
• Training and development opportunities

Tailoring Your Resume for Logistics Coordinator Roles

Your resume should demonstrate operational competence and practical logistics knowledge. Here is how to position yourself:

1. Lead with your volume: “Coordinated 200+ shipments/month across sea, air, and road modes serving GCC, South Asia, and Far East trade lanes.” Volume signals your ability to handle pace and complexity.
2. Specify systems: Name the exact software — CargoWise, SAP MM, Oracle, Mirsal 2, Fasah. Generic statements like “experienced with logistics software” are weak. Specific systems are what recruiters search for.
3. List trade lanes and modes: “Managed FCL/LCL shipments on China-UAE, India-KSA, and GCC-East Africa routes” shows geographic expertise that employers map to their business needs.
4. Quantify your performance: On-time delivery rate, customs clearance time, cost savings achieved, number of clients managed. These metrics validate your effectiveness beyond a list of duties.
5. Include certifications: CILT, DG handling, CargoWise certification, and any customs-specific training should be prominent. The GCC logistics industry values certified professionals.