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The differences between distribution center supervisors and directors of distribution can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a distribution center supervisor, becoming a director of distribution takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a director of distribution has an average salary of $126,210, which is higher than the $44,535 average annual salary of a distribution center supervisor.
The top three skills for a distribution center supervisor include logistics, customer service and shipping receiving. The most important skills for a director of distribution are continuous improvement, project management, and distribution operations.
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Director Of Distribution | |
| Yearly salary | $44,535 | $126,210 |
| Hourly rate | $21.41 | $60.68 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,371 | 21,751 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
Distribution center supervisors are professionals who are responsible for leading and supervising warehouse staff to operate and facilitate the daily activities of a distribution center. These supervisors are required to receive, store, and handle the products effectively in the center while managing an inventory control system based on the policies of the company. They must ensure that the shipment of products to customers is accurate to avoid delays in distributions. Distribution center supervisors must also maintain updated with the latest techniques used in the distribution process.
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 supervisors and directors of distribution have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Director Of Distribution | |
| Average salary | $44,535 | $126,210 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $88,000 And $179,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Schneider Electric Industrial Services | Meta |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a distribution center supervisor and a director of distribution in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Director Of Distribution | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 75% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between distribution center supervisors' and directors of distribution' demographics:
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Director Of Distribution | |
| Average age | 44 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 85.2% Female, 14.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 6.4% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | 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 | 8% | 5% |