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The differences between distribution managers and receiving 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 receiving manager. Additionally, a distribution manager has an average salary of $89,264, which is higher than the $34,854 average annual salary of a receiving manager.
The top three skills for a distribution manager include customer service, logistics and continuous improvement. The most important skills for a receiving manager are customer service, purchase orders, and UPC.
| Distribution Manager | Receiving Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $89,264 | $34,854 |
| Hourly rate | $42.92 | $16.76 |
| Growth rate | 6% | -3% |
| Number of jobs | 39,061 | 31,036 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| 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.
A receiving manager is an individual who works in a warehouse and manages incoming shipments that arrived in the facility. Receiving managers must review purchase orders to match with the items that were ordered so that they can take note of any discrepancies as well as update their inventory database. Once shipments arrive, they will assist a team of receiving staff to tag the items and store them safely in the warehouse. Receiving managers must also implement safety practices and processes within the warehouse.
Distribution managers and receiving managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Distribution Manager | Receiving Manager | |
| Average salary | $89,264 | $34,854 |
| Salary range | Between $62,000 And $128,000 | Between $27,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Redmond, WA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Levi Strauss & Co. | BD |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Retail |
There are a few differences between a distribution manager and a receiving manager in terms of educational background:
| Distribution Manager | Receiving Manager | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 37% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between distribution managers' and receiving managers' demographics:
| Distribution Manager | Receiving Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% | Male, 73.5% Female, 26.5% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 5% | 5% |