What does a distribution associate do?
A distribution associate typically works at warehouses or distribution establishments where they are in charge of processing orders for shipments or deliveries in a timely and efficient manner. Their responsibilities often include monitoring the inventory of goods, identifying and locating items, liaising with clients, receiving orders, lifting heavy packages, and maintaining accurate records of all transactions. Furthermore, as a distribution associate, it is essential to be proactive as warehouse conditions can be unpredictable due to the influx of goods.
Distribution associate responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution associate resumes:
- Manage and monitor KPI's, departmental metrics and ensure all checks and balances are in place.
- Process LTL and small parcel shipments.
- Assist in maintaining the cleanliness of facility.
- Keep up the cleanliness of the entire warehouse.
- Complete all OSHA and IBM safety classes and training classes for department.
- Close orders using Lawson system and ensure deliveries contain the correct products.
- Check quantity variances once product has been receive into the receivers RF's.
- Complete necessary paperwork for employees including maintaining attendance calendars, address changes, and payroll action notices.
- Perform data entry into various company software systems such as WMS, SAR in a logistics warehouse environment.
- Provide exceptional service by printing payroll checks, reports and accurately matching per customer's instructions for delivery.
- Used an ERP system that are used for forecasting, financial and what and when to buy a product.
- Unload trailer stage product and inspect pallets for quantity and damages remove damage product and validate all paperwork to the load.
- Perform requisition reconciliation using the Lawson software.
- Administer daily logistics of inventory to department supervisor.
- Prepare documentation, maintain records, and coordinate logistics for product shipment.
Distribution associate skills and personality traits
We calculated that 34% of Distribution Associates are proficient in Pallets, Basic Math, and Customer Orders. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Customer-service skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Distribution Associates that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Pallets, 34%
Accelerated manual package re-labeling process for large orders by customizing a full pallet layer label applicator.
- Basic Math, 30%
Used problem solving skills and basic math when working on orders.
- Customer Orders, 5%
Filled customer orders which included pharmaceutical and chemical orders for hospital, research labs and medical personnel.
- Shipping Receiving, 2%
Warehouse Inventory Control clerk- Process orders, Shipping receiving and inventory maintenance.
- RF Scanner, 2%
Order Picking; Remove an item from a storage, non-sort items, and utilize RF Scanner in a Distribution Center.
- Quality Standards, 2%
Meet appropriate productivity / quality standards relative to job responsibility as outlined by manager.
"pallets," "basic math," and "customer orders" are among the most common skills that distribution associates use at work. You can find even more distribution associate responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a distribution associate to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "material recording clerks are frequently in contact with suppliers, vendors, or managers and need to convey their company’s needs effectively." Distribution associates often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created a sharepoint to enable close communication between product engineers and the inventory control team, for incoming shipments. "
Customer-service skills. Many distribution associate duties rely on customer-service skills. "material recording clerks may interact with customers in order to respond to problems or complaints.," so a distribution associate will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways distribution associate responsibilities rely on customer-service skills: "performed distribution and a variety of sales and customer support services for products. "
Detail oriented. distribution associates are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to distribution associate responsibilities, because "material and product inspecting clerks must pay attention to detail when checking items for defects, some of which are small and difficult to spot." A distribution associate resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "managed a well-organized and detailed data entry log for every check printed, mailed, and distributed within each account. "
Math skills. A big part of what distribution associates do relies on "math skills." You can see how essential it is to distribution associate responsibilities because "material recording clerks may need to calculate shipping costs or take measurements." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical distribution associate tasks: "conducted quantitative inventory of over 20 supply areas, such as patient care and ancillary areas. "
The three companies that hire the most distribution associates are:
- Ashley HomeStore190 distribution associates jobs
- Wegmans Food Markets22 distribution associates jobs
- Summit Electric Supply20 distribution associates jobs
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Compare different distribution associates
Distribution associate vs. Warehouse shipping clerk
Usually assigned at a warehouse or retail store, a receiving clerk's primary role is to accept product deliveries upon arrival and sign necessary documents, prioritizing the accuracy of all invoices. It is also the task of a receiving clerk to unload heavy packages, verify its contents, place it in the appropriate storage place, and keep records for inventory. They must process returns should it be necessary. There are also instances where a receiving clerk may have to engage with retailers and vendors, ensuring that all shipments arrive in time.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a distribution associate are more likely to require skills like "basic math," "quality standards," "cleanliness," and "management system." On the other hand, a job as a warehouse shipping clerk requires skills like "pallet jack," "data entry," "osha," and "warehouse operations." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Warehouse shipping clerks tend to make the most money working in the automotive industry, where they earn an average salary of $35,441. In contrast, distribution associates make the biggest average salary, $40,158, in the automotive industry.warehouse shipping clerks tend to reach similar levels of education than distribution associates. In fact, warehouse shipping clerks are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Distribution associate vs. Receiving clerk
A warehouse clerk is an employee responsible for the process of ordered goods while keeping the warehouse well-organized and clean. Warehouse clerks accept company products' deliveries, inspect them for any damages, and store them accordingly in the warehouse. Companies require their warehouse clerks to have many skills, such as an operating forklift or other machinery to transport large and heavy goods. Warehouse clerks must also possess abilities like knowledge in Warehouse Management Software programs and detailed-oriented capable of noticing small errors in orders.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real distribution associate resumes. While distribution associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "basic math," "shipping receiving," "quality standards," and "management system," receiving clerks use skills like "customer service," "data entry," "stock merchandise," and "load trucks."
On average, receiving clerks earn a lower salary than distribution associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, receiving clerks earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,299. Whereas distribution associates have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $40,158.receiving clerks earn similar levels of education than distribution associates in general. They're 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution associate vs. Warehouse clerk
Inventory control specialist ensures company inventory is accurate in all levels to increase the company's profitability. The specialist should maintain stable stocks and should manage the procurement of inventories. He/She or she is responsible for managing the flow of inventory in and out together with the shipment, package, and the storage activities then record them accurately for audits and reporting to the management. Specialists are often employed by various industries. They usually work in warehouses or in local retail locations.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from distribution associate resumes include skills like "rf scanner," "quality standards," "cleanliness," and "inventory control," whereas a warehouse clerk is more likely to list skills in "work ethic," "strong work ethic," "data entry," and "logistics. "
Warehouse clerks make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $32,595. On the other hand, distribution associates are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $40,158.When it comes to education, warehouse clerks tend to earn similar degree levels compared to distribution associates. In fact, they're 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Distribution associate vs. Inventory control specialist
Types of distribution associate
Updated January 8, 2025
