Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between distribution managers and delivery managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a distribution manager, becoming a delivery manager takes usually requires 6-8 years. Additionally, a delivery manager has an average salary of $113,280, which is higher than the $89,264 average annual salary of a distribution manager.
The top three skills for a distribution manager include customer service, logistics and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a delivery manager are customer service, exceptional client, and project management.
| Distribution Manager | Delivery Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $89,264 | $113,280 |
| Hourly rate | $42.92 | $54.46 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 16% |
| Number of jobs | 39,061 | 172,434 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 8 |
A distribution manager is responsible for managing the distribution of goods and services, ensuring the adequacy of merchandise in the storage, and monitoring the products' timely delivery to appropriate locations. Distribution managers process shipments and utilize software systems to track stock levels and order status, negotiate contracts with suppliers and third-party vendors, identify business opportunities to boost maximum productivity and performance, and develop supply strategies to minimize costs without compromising quality. A distribution manager must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills to manage business performance by coordinating with different teams on achieving business goals and objectives.
A delivery manager oversees the delivery process and workforce in a company, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around coordinating all personnel, managing budgets and schedules, and monitoring all shipments and logistics. A delivery manager must also review orders, address issues and concerns to provide corrective measures quickly, evaluate team members' performance, and train new employees. They may also serve as the point of contact among clients and offer products or services. Furthermore, as a manager, it is essential to lead and encourage the team while implementing the company's policies and guidelines.
Distribution managers and delivery managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Manager | Delivery Manager | |
| Average salary | $89,264 | $113,280 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $128,000 | Between $82,000 And $156,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | California |
| Best paying company | Levi Strauss & Co. | Simpson Thacher & Bartlett |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Technology |
There are a few differences between a distribution manager and a delivery manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Manager | Delivery Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Carnegie Mellon University |
Here are the differences between distribution managers' and delivery managers' demographics:
| Distribution Manager | Delivery Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% | Male, 77.2% Female, 22.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 13.9% White, 64.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 11% |