What does a distribution manager do?
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.
Distribution manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution manager resumes:
- Manage all logistics including ocean and air imports, exports and domestic distribution via TL, LTL, and small parcel.
- Compose and employ initial ISO procedures to attain certification.
- Manage twenty-five team members during process of unloading trailers to include accurately processing and locating merchandise throughout warehouse with RF devices.
- Earn FDA and GMP certification at a start-up distribution-base facility in five months.
- Develop a training program that effectively trains employees in accordance with FDA guidelines.
- Budget and target tracking to sales goals with direct account responsibility for OEM and price sensitive customers.
- shift organizational culture towards a consultative selling process, and the development of regional small compressor dealer and OEM networks.
- Ensure operational safety in compliance with corporate and OSHA audits
- Develop operational practices which continue to provide a significant ROI.
- Develop and implement standard operating procedures to pass ISO registration audit.
- Establish a lean six sigma facility environment increasing employee involvement and moral.
- Complete optimized weekly schedules for maximum performance and delivering a savings over payroll target weekly.
- Assist OSHA as a mentor for similar size business wishing to improve safety programs to meet regulatory requirements
- Conduct essential air and grind transportation briefings to military and DOD personnel to include reporting instructions and flight safety regulations.
- Evaluate performance of all national and international suppliers, distributors, and 3rd-party logistics providers to ensure top quality and efficiency.
Distribution manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Distribution Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Logistics, and Continuous Improvement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Leadership skills, and Management skills.
We break down the percentage of Distribution Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 14%
Maintained high customer service standards and excellent customer satisfaction levels by executing on time deliveries and clear and timely communication.
- Logistics, 10%
Evaluated performance of all national and international suppliers, distributors, and 3rd-party logistics providers to ensure top quality and efficiency.
- Continuous Improvement, 6%
Represented department in daily war room meetings to report on productivity barriers, performance metrics and status of continuous improvement initiatives.
- OSHA, 5%
Assisted OSHA as a mentor for similar sized business wishing to improve safety programs to meet regulatory requirements
- Operational Procedures, 4%
Established operational procedures for the verification of incoming and outgoing shipments, handling and disposition of materials and maintaining current inventory.
- Distribution Operations, 4%
Reported to Director, Distribution Operations, project managed implementation of critical sample allocation system, streamlining and improving end-to-end process.
Most distribution managers use their skills in "customer service," "logistics," and "continuous improvement" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential distribution manager responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a distribution manager to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "top executives must be able to convey information clearly and persuasively." Distribution managers often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "apply sound communication and motivational techniques to supervise, counsel and discipline subordinates, and implement performance evaluation systems. "
Leadership skills. Many distribution manager duties rely on leadership skills. "top executives must be able to shape and direct an organization by coordinating policies, people, and resources.," so a distribution manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways distribution manager responsibilities rely on leadership skills: "applied organizational and leadership skills to reverse a chaotic distribution operation. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what distribution managers do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to distribution manager responsibilities because "top executives need to identify and resolve issues within an organization." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical distribution manager tasks: "partnered with fedex in implementing fedex shipping solutions integration with the sap erp system. "
Time-management skills. Another common skill required for distribution manager responsibilities is "time-management skills." This skill comes up in the duties of distribution managers all the time, as "top executives do many tasks concurrently to ensure that their work gets done and that the organization meets its goals." An excerpt from a real distribution manager resume shows how this skill is central to what a distribution manager does: "managed a regional distribution facility responsible for shipping finished goods to the customer on time and complete. "
The three companies that hire the most distribution managers are:
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Compare different distribution managers
Distribution manager vs. Logistics supervisor
A logistics supervisor is an individual tasked to oversee goods shipment and delivery in organizations. Supervisors manage the planning, organization, and implementation of the company's systems. They take responsibility for managing the inventory of warehouse stocks based on the foreseeable requirements. It is part of their job to schedule deliveries and pickups with the internal staff or transportation companies. Their skills should include adaptability, project management proficiency, and communication skills.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a distribution manager are more likely to require skills like "logistics," "operational procedures," "distribution operations," and "safety training." On the other hand, a job as a logistics supervisor requires skills like "safety procedures," "excellent time management," "standard operating procedure," and "customer issues." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Logistics supervisors tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $82,503. In contrast, distribution managers make the biggest average salary, $85,060, in the technology industry.The education levels that logistics supervisors earn slightly differ from distribution managers. In particular, logistics supervisors are 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a distribution manager. Additionally, they're 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Distribution manager vs. Logistics director
A logistics director spearheads and oversees a company's logistics operations. They are primarily responsible for setting goals and guidelines, managing the budgets and timelines, researching new opportunities, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of operations, and implementing solutions against problem areas. They must also maintain positive relationships with key clients and external parties, such as distributors and suppliers. Furthermore, as a director, it is essential to lead employees while implementing the company's policies and regulations, recommending new ones as needed.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that distribution manager responsibilities requires skills like "logistics," "osha," "operational procedures," and "safety training." But a logistics director might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "supply chain," "logistics operations," "project management," and "oversight."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Logistics directors tend to reach higher levels of education than distribution managers. In fact, they're 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for distribution managers in the next 3-5 years?
Eric Olsen
Professor, Industrial Technology and Packaging, Orfalea College of Business
Distribution manager vs. Warehouse manager
Warehouse managers oversee the overall operations of a company's warehouse. They manage the inventory by ensuring that the inventory records are updated and accurate. They tend to deliveries and check all items. They ensure that items in the warehouse are appropriately stored and secured. They also supervise the shipping of items from the warehouse and ensure that the correct products are delivered. Warehouse managers continuously find ways to improve the efficiency of warehouse operations. Warehouse managers manage warehouse personnel as well, ensuring that they are trained well and motivated to work.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a distribution manager is likely to be skilled in "continuous improvement," "osha," "safety training," and "customer satisfaction," while a typical warehouse manager is skilled in "safety regulations," "safety procedures," "delivery truck," and "purchase orders."
Warehouse managers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $64,453. On the other hand, distribution managers are paid the highest salary in the technology industry, with average annual pay of $85,060.When it comes to education, warehouse managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to distribution managers. In fact, they're 4.9% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Distribution manager vs. Inventory control manager
An inventory control manager is an individual who is responsible for directing all tasks related to inventory management of a company. They manage the allocation of materials, supplies, and finished goods as well as design strategies to minimize the cost or time to move goods. They are required to lead a team of storage or warehouse personnel to help them with the actual inventory count. Inventory control managers must also develop a business relationship with their suppliers or vendors.
Types of distribution manager
Updated January 8, 2025
