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Distribution center manager skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

6 min read

Quoted experts

Karen Kus,

Craig Nathanson Ph.D.

Distribution center manager example skills

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical distribution center manager skills. We ranked the top skills for distribution center managers based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.0% of distribution center manager resumes contained logistics as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a distribution center manager needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 distribution center manager skills for your resume and career

1. Logistics

Logistics is a complete organization and implementation of a problem. Logistics are often considered in a complex business operation, as some works need detailed plannings. Logistics are also used in military action.

Here's how distribution center managers use logistics:

Secure annual contract amendments between Ikea and third party Logistics Company also develop agreed contractual Service Standards together with Retail.
Conducted a Site Security Evaluation of a third party logistics company in Tennessee that helped minimize consignment inventory risks.

2. Customer Service

Customer service is the process of offering assistance to all the current and potential customers -- answering questions, fixing problems, and providing excellent service. The main goal of customer service is to build a strong relationship with the customers so that they keep coming back for more business.

Here's how distribution center managers use customer service:

Process and Personnel Management: Oversee warehouse/distribution process functions and personnel to insure daily productivity and customer service requirements were met.
Managed the successful implementation of new computer operating system in distribution center while maintaining customer service levels for Gulf region.

3. OSHA

Here's how distribution center managers use osha:

Ensured proper safety procedures as regulated by OSHA guidelines * Contributed to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed
Organized equipment repair and coordinated safety issues and monitored equipment and warehouse personnel to follow OSHA rules and regulations.

4. Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement is an ongoing process of improvement of products, services, and processes with the help of innovative ideas. It is an organized approach that helps an organization to find its weaknesses and improve them.

Here's how distribution center managers use continuous improvement:

Lead initiatives to ensure business growth that met or exceeded customer expectations through continuous improvement of distribution operations.
Lead corporate continuous improvement projects including warehouse space maximization, customer satisfaction, and department safety initiatives.

5. Inventory Control

Here's how distribution center managers use inventory control:

Implemented a multilevel conveyor pick system for accessory and tabletop merchandise resulting in improved productivity and more effective inventory control.
Developed and implemented warehouse policies and procedures to ensure 24-hour fulfillment process, inventory control and high level of accuracy.

6. Process Improvement

Here's how distribution center managers use process improvement:

Trained group managers on developing and implementing action plans for continuous quality improvement and process improvement over six departments.
Established and successfully executed process improvement initiatives using Six Sigma and lean principles to achieve savings across Production/Assembly Operations.

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7. Distribution Centers

Distribution centers are vital to the supply chain industry. They feature a specialized center that deals with the storage and shipping of goods as well as other vital distribution processes concerned with stocks and inventory.

Here's how distribution center managers use distribution centers:

Planned facility closure, developed schedule and determined material handling and storage requirements for consolidation of volume into other distribution centers.
Initiated quarterly travel to distribution centers to improve communication with sales and operations managers that resulted in achieving quarterly bonus goals.

8. Shipping Receiving

Here's how distribution center managers use shipping receiving:

Prepared and processed required documents such as pic sheets, bill of lading and related shipping receiving documents.
Directed all areas of order pulling, stocking, truck loading, shipping receiving, printing and production.

9. Safety Program

Safety programs are a series of measures to protect employees from any mishaps and make the work environment safer. Safety programs include checklists, guidelines, and direct procedures that a specific area or department must follow. Safety programs take care of office space safety, maintenance and repairs, and identification of frauds as well.

Here's how distribution center managers use safety program:

Establish and build safety program emphasizing employee participation and training.
Established an employee operated Safety program.

10. Distribution Operations

Distribution operation is the operation carried out to oversee the movement of finished goods from the manufacturer of a product or supplier to the end-user.

Here's how distribution center managers use distribution operations:

Spearheaded on-site setup and led operational start-up of centralized DC for strategic consolidation of 3 existing distribution operations.
Coordinated and directed all distribution operations associated with the function of a high volume distribution center.

11. Center Management

Here's how distribution center managers use center management:

Managed all functions of distribution center management for Delphi Corporation border operations with contract workforce of approximately 200 employees.
Provided leadership of the distribution center management staff.

12. Warehouse Operations

Warehouse operations include all those actions associated with the goods, from the point of receiving them to safely storing them in the warehouse. From attaching barcodes on packages to coordinating with teams, all fall under the category of warehouse operations.

Here's how distribution center managers use warehouse operations:

Retained following corporate acquisition by Office Depot to integrate warehouse operations, distribution, and internal processes.
Managed day-to-day warehouse operations planning and execution of daily workload that met operational standards.

13. Sigma

In Greek alphabets, sigma is the 18th letter that means "to sum up". In statistics, the lower case symbol of sigma is the unit of measurement for standard deviation which is used to assess the variability in a given set of data. While the upper case symbol is for summation notation means to add up all the given numbers in the data set.

Here's how distribution center managers use sigma:

Worked closely with Six Sigma to achieve order accuracy of 99% or 1 error for every 10,000 lines produced.
Manage a 5S Lean Six Sigma Leeds Warehouse to deliver and sustain the facility P&L

14. Direct Reports

Here's how distribution center managers use direct reports:

Executed succession planning and fulfillment coaching 3 direct reports into increased management responsibility roles in a 30-month period.
Motivated direct and indirect reports, and monitored departmental performance against established budgets.

15. Warehouse Associates

Here's how distribution center managers use warehouse associates:

Created ride along program to allow warehouse associates to participate in local customer deliveries
Manage fourteen office and professional staff with seventy warehouse associates, in a two shift operation.

5 Distribution Center Manager resume examples

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What skills help Distribution Center Managers find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on distribution center manager resumes?

Karen Kus

Assistant Director of Career Services, SUNY Potsdam

Employers hiring candidates with a history degree are seeking transferable skills that can be applied in various roles and settings. These skills include writing, communication, research, organization, computer-based skills, and problem-solving. The best thing a candidate can do to increase marketability is to elaborate on how they obtained or utilized those skills, rather than simply listing them. Employers need to have an understanding of how you made use of your skill and what results came from your actions. Make these skills shine on your resume by giving them substance.

What type of skills will young distribution center managers need?

Craig Nathanson Ph.D.

Adjunct Lecturer, Sonoma State University

I see the essential human skills gaining importance to build a new post-covid work life. These include creativity, leading and working in teams, writing, speaking, being self-aware, and lowering bias and networking; career branding as critical areas for graduates to focus on now.

What technical skills for a distribution center manager stand out to employers?

Dr. Mary Kern Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Zicklin School of Business at Baruch College - City University of New York

- Clearly, the ability to use different forms of communication technology has become key, and as these forms evolve rapidly, employers are look for an ability to adapt, adopt, and teach them to their colleagues.

- Evidence-based management and decision-making are playing a much larger role in organizations, and thus the ability to work with quantitative data to understand situations and to help make decisions is crucial.

Do you want to know more?

List of distribution center manager skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a distribution center manager resume and required skills for a distribution center manager to have include:

Logistics
Customer Service
OSHA
Continuous Improvement
Inventory Control
Process Improvement
Distribution Centers
Shipping Receiving
Safety Program
Distribution Operations
Center Management
Warehouse Operations
Sigma
Direct Reports
Warehouse Associates
Customer Satisfaction
On-Time Delivery

Inventory Management
Payroll
Human Resources
Employee Engagement
ISO
Distribution Facility
Hazmat
Lean Six Sigma
SQ FT
FDA
RF
Customer Orders
ERP
Cycle Counts
Performance Reviews
Disciplinary Actions
LTL

Warehouse Management System
Safety Regulations
Inventory Accuracy
Outbound Shipments
Retail Store
KPIs
Square Foot Facility
Productivity Standards
Building Maintenance
Kaizen
Cost Savings
Warehouse Layout
Physical Inventory
Product Handling
Facility Maintenance
Materials Handling

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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