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The differences between distribution managers and managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a distribution manager and a manager. Additionally, a distribution manager has an average salary of $89,264, which is higher than the $58,651 average annual salary of a manager.
The top three skills for a distribution manager include customer service, logistics and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a manager are customer service, payroll, and food safety.
| Distribution Manager | Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $89,264 | $58,651 |
| Hourly rate | $42.92 | $28.20 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 39,061 | 1,236,194 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.57 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
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.
Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department. Managers are responsible that the department they are handling is functioning well. They set the department goals and the steps they must take to achieve the goals. They are also in charge of assessing the performance of their departments and their employees. Additionally, managers are responsible for interviewing prospective candidates for department vacancies and assessing their fit to the needs of the department. Managers also set the general working environment in the department, and they are expected to ensure that their employees remain motivated.
Distribution managers and managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Manager | Manager | |
| Average salary | $89,264 | $58,651 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $128,000 | Between $37,000 And $92,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | - |
| Highest paying state | Washington | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Levi Strauss & Co. | - |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Finance |
There are a few differences between a distribution manager and a manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Manager | Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between distribution managers' and managers' demographics:
| Distribution Manager | Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% | Male, 51.0% Female, 49.0% |
| 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, 6.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 10% |