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Distribution center supervisor skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical distribution center supervisor skills. We ranked the top skills for distribution center supervisors based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.2% of distribution center supervisor resumes contained logistics as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a distribution center supervisor needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 distribution center supervisor 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 supervisors use logistics:

Supervised operations including warehouse transportation / logistics, timely and accurate shipping, receiving, delivery and fulfillment according to specifications.
Transition the function of Distribution from a Third party logistics (3 PL) to processing orders in house.

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 supervisors use customer service:

Performed customer service and vendor management working with internal and external companies to fill customer requests.
Maintained constant communication with customer service representatives in order to drive world class customer service.

3. Shipping Receiving

Here's how distribution center supervisors use shipping receiving:

Promoted through a series of progressively responsible positions from order processor to senior order processor and to shipping receiving supervisor.
Managed, the entire daily operations of local manufacturing company warehouse shipping receiving operations.

4. Safety Procedures

Safety procedures are a set of standardized procedures, that ensures minimal to no risk to people, resources, and the work environment. A company follows the step-by-step safety procedures as it they not only keep the customers and the employees safe, but also help in avoiding legal claims.

Here's how distribution center supervisors use safety procedures:

Observe and promote established safety procedures; contact regular safety training, meetings and forward/retain a copy of all safety-related documentation.
Directed inventory control, implementation of safety procedures, product preparation, and distribution center security.

5. 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 supervisors use continuous improvement:

Organized continuous improvement events with positive results on improving productivity, reducing order cycle time, and reducing headcount.
Performed continuous improvement operations and corrective actions for all forklift operations and implemented improvements and/or corrective actions as needed.

6. Lean Manufacturing

Here's how distribution center supervisors use lean manufacturing:

Tracked inbound information for lean manufacturing practices.
Implemented and maintained lean manufacturing techniques to reduce waste and improve product flow.

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7. Safety Training

The guidance and skills taught to workers and employees of a company to carry out their duties safely and efficiently are referred to as safety training. The purpose of safety training is to inform workers about the potential and risks associated with this kind of work and to teach them ways to avoid such risks.

Here's how distribution center supervisors use safety training:

Coordinated safety training and certification classes for all electric pallet jack and forklift operators.
Conducted safety incident investigations, gave recommendations for process changes and monitored safety training, document updates, and training logs.

8. Performance Reviews

Performance reviews refer to the official evaluation of a worker's performance done by the manager. The evaluation then helps the superior identify the worker's strengths and weaknesses and offers valuable feedback to help him overcome his shortcomings. This assessment also helps a worker set a future goal for himself and identify ways to better his future performance. Performance Reviews may be done on a monthly or yearly basis, depending on the company.

Here's how distribution center supervisors use performance reviews:

Developed management tools, such as Monthly/Annual Performance Reviews and daily turnovers to support communication.
Administered written feedback to associates, including performance reviews and corrective actions.

9. 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 supervisors use warehouse operations:

Managed 10 different areas within the Distribution Center encompassing various warehouse operations.
Cross-trained personnel in all aspects of warehouse operations, with a focus on meeting customer expectations for service quality and efficiency.

10. Inventory Control

Here's how distribution center supervisors use inventory control:

Supervised and improved inventory transactions by monitoring the placement of product, and related information with Inventory Control Department.
Supervised 60 + associates- Met Production Goals- Responsible for Hiring and Terminating associates- Inventory Control - Supervisor order pulling.

11. Performance Management

Here's how distribution center supervisors use performance management:

Trained by DB&A consulting services in utilization of performance management and execution of warehouse management operating system.
Designed and developed a performance management and documentation application for the outbound selection department.

12. Direct Supervision

Direct supervision is a term used to indicate that a person is supervising a certain task or a certain person while being physically present or in close proximity. It refers to the presence of a person and the availability of their supervision in something if it is needed.

Here's how distribution center supervisors use direct supervision:

Coordinate work and provide direct supervision to 20 associates under tight deadlines and manage multiple initiatives simultaneously.
Direct supervision of 35+ associates with regards to daily production performance at the distribution center.

13. Direct Reports

Here's how distribution center supervisors use direct reports:

Performed scheduled reviews of direct reports, documented performance and corrective actions when necessary.
Evaluated and discussed each direct reports job performance using objectives set at mid-year and year-end review.

14. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how distribution center supervisors use payroll:

Maintained electronic time management system to ensure proper payroll for all subordinates.
Monitored budget and payroll information of departments.

15. OSHA

Here's how distribution center supervisors use osha:

Ensured all personnel followed safety guidelines in accordance with OSHA regulations.
Strengthened housekeeping standards and made sure that staff complied with the regulatory requirements, such as OSHA forklift certification, PPE

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List of distribution center supervisor skills to add to your resume

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

Logistics
Customer Service
Shipping Receiving
Safety Procedures
Continuous Improvement
Lean Manufacturing
Safety Training
Performance Reviews
Warehouse Operations
Inventory Control
Performance Management
Direct Supervision
Direct Reports
Payroll
OSHA
Distribution Centers
HR

Warehouse Associates
KPIs
Customer Satisfaction
Quality Standards
Process Improvement
Safety Regulations
Lean Six Sigma
Outbound Shipments
Production Standards
RF
Performance Appraisals
Center Management
Warehouse Management System
Kronos
Distribution Operations
Customer Orders
Performance Standards

Employee Training
Develop Team
Inventory Management
Disciplinary Actions
Safety Standards
Cycle Counts
Operational Productivity
Employee Development
Warehouse Functions
LTL
Inventory Accuracy
Material Handlers
Square Foot Facility
Business Productivity
Order Filling
Performance Evaluations

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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