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The differences between distribution center managers and directors of distribution can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a distribution center manager and a director of distribution. Additionally, a director of distribution has an average salary of $126,210, which is higher than the $99,459 average annual salary of a distribution center manager.
The top three skills for a distribution center manager include logistics, customer service and OSHA. The most important skills for a director of distribution are continuous improvement, project management, and distribution operations.
| Distribution Center Manager | Director Of Distribution | |
| Yearly salary | $99,459 | $126,210 |
| Hourly rate | $47.82 | $60.68 |
| Growth rate | - | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 75,501 | 21,751 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A distribution center manager is an individual who is responsible for managing all the daily activities of a centralized distribution center, warehouse, or another shipping facility. Distribution center managers are required to supervise the loading and unloading of all packages as well as ensure that all goods and products have the proper storage conditions. They must evaluate freight services and manage relationships with the chose vendors. Distribution center managers are also required to monitor the safety of the facility and make sure that workers properly store everything to prevent injuries.
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.
Distribution center managers and directors of distribution have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Center Manager | Director Of Distribution | |
| Average salary | $99,459 | $126,210 |
| Salary range | Between $70,000 And $141,000 | Between $88,000 And $179,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woodland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Bed Bath & Beyond | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a distribution center manager and a director of distribution in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Center Manager | Director Of Distribution | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 67% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between distribution center managers' and directors of distribution' demographics:
| Distribution Center Manager | Director Of Distribution | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6% | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |