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The differences between distribution center supervisors and operation supervisors 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 an operation supervisor takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, an operation supervisor has an average salary of $57,279, 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 an operation supervisor are logistics, safety procedures, and OSHA.
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Operation Supervisor | |
| Yearly salary | $44,535 | $57,279 |
| Hourly rate | $21.41 | $27.54 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 60,371 | 94,116 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
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.
Operations supervisors manage a specific operations-related team or department. They ensure that all the agreed-upon key performance indicators are being met. They also address any performance challenges and strategize on how to improve different areas in the team. They communicate team goals and balance the organization's requirements with the team's profile. Operations supervisors also manage the employees under their department. They hire for vacancies and train new employees. They also ensure that employees are properly coached for improvement. Operations supervisors are expected to be strategic, personable, and good communicators.
Distribution center supervisors and operation supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Operation Supervisor | |
| Average salary | $44,535 | $57,279 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $59,000 | Between $37,000 And $87,000 |
| Highest paying City | Boston, MA | Kansas City, KS |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Louisiana |
| Best paying company | Schneider Electric Industrial Services | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Finance |
There are a few differences between a distribution center supervisor and an operation supervisor in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Operation Supervisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between distribution center supervisors' and operation supervisors' demographics:
| Distribution Center Supervisor | Operation Supervisor | |
| Average age | 44 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.3% Female, 13.7% | Male, 70.8% Female, 29.2% |
| 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, 12.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 4.6% White, 59.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 6% |