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Director of distribution vs logistics manager

The differences between directors of distribution and logistics managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a director of distribution and a logistics manager. Additionally, a director of distribution has an average salary of $126,210, which is higher than the $74,702 average annual salary of a logistics manager.

The top three skills for a director of distribution include continuous improvement, project management and distribution operations. The most important skills for a logistics manager are customer service, supply chain, and continuous improvement.

Director of distribution vs logistics manager overview

Director Of DistributionLogistics Manager
Yearly salary$126,210$74,702
Hourly rate$60.68$35.91
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs21,75131,437
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

What does a director of distribution do?

A distribution director spearheads and oversees an organization's distribution procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to coordinate with different departments to identify and understand the distribution needs, set goals and guidelines, manage budgets and schedules, delegate tasks among managers, develop strategies to optimize operations, and present reports to the executives and shareholders. They must also liaise with externals parties, building positive relationships with them. Moreover, a distribution director must lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while monitoring the progress of operations.

What does a logistics manager do?

The person in charge of coordinating, purchasing, and distributing products in a supply chain is called logistics manager. Logistic managers are supply specialists that are responsible for the overall supply chain management. They supervise employees to maintain safety in the workplace, resolve customer's issues and complaints, and develop strategies for operations. Also, they are responsible for collaborating and negotiating with manufacturers, suppliers, retailers, and consumers. These highly-detailed professionals maintain precise records of inventory and ensure that supply chain processes are regularly operating.

Director of distribution vs logistics manager salary

Directors of distribution and logistics managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Director Of DistributionLogistics Manager
Average salary$126,210$74,702
Salary rangeBetween $88,000 And $179,000Between $52,000 And $106,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyWashington
Best paying companyMetaApple
Best paying industryManufacturingTechnology

Differences between director of distribution and logistics manager education

There are a few differences between a director of distribution and a logistics manager in terms of educational background:

Director Of DistributionLogistics Manager
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 75%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Director of distribution vs logistics manager demographics

Here are the differences between directors of distribution' and logistics managers' demographics:

Director Of DistributionLogistics Manager
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 85.2% Female, 14.8%Male, 77.9% Female, 22.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.4% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between director of distribution and logistics manager duties and responsibilities

Director of distribution example responsibilities.

  • Manage a staff of 80 in many healthcare locations.
  • Lead the development of operational and transportation KPIs to cover cost, quality and service.
  • Manage logistics operations issues that include branch logistics plan implementation, warehouse and delivery personnel management, inventory management and security/safety/housekeeping.
  • Enhance and publish procedures for FDA product recall requirements.
  • Improve communications with foreign vendors to reduce and improve upon FDA holds.
  • Orchestrate selection, acquisition and implementation of agile ERP and WMS technologies.
  • Show more

Logistics manager example responsibilities.

  • Manage budget, staffing, workload distribution, and training and development of PMO.
  • Manage annual RFP for the selection of new carrier contracts for FCL/FTL rates and services.
  • Lead cross-functional team integrating the distribution system with a new database merchandising system with RF device.
  • Manage all FDA medical device listings for all accume foreign and domestic facilities, and assist foreign suppliers with the same.
  • Manage all negotiations with carriers including freight forwarders and various other providers of transportation relate services.
  • Lead organization's governmental and regulatory compliance office which result in no violation findings during federal oversight inspections.
  • Show more

Director of distribution vs logistics manager skills

Common director of distribution skills
  • Continuous Improvement, 9%
  • Project Management, 7%
  • Distribution Operations, 6%
  • Distribution Centers, 5%
  • Direct Reports, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
Common logistics manager skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Supply Chain, 12%
  • Continuous Improvement, 6%
  • On-Time Delivery, 5%
  • Process Improvement, 4%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 3%

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