How to hire a distribution superintendent

How to hire a distribution superintendent, step by step

Here's a step-by-step distribution superintendent hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a distribution superintendent job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new distribution superintendent
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the distribution superintendent you need to hire. Certain distribution superintendent roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A distribution superintendent's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, distribution superintendents from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents distribution superintendent salaries for various positions.

   Type of Distribution Superintendent	Description	Hourly rate
   Distribution Superintendent		$20-76
   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... Show more	$17-49
   Storage Manager	A storage manager oversees storage operations and distributes merchandise. They tend to be employed in warehouses or transportation industries... Show more	$5-33

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Construction Projects
   • OSHA
   • Safety Program
   • Inventory Control
   • Safety Training
   • Water Distribution System
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Cost Reduction
   • Storage Facilities
   • Process Improvement
   • DOT
   • Direct Reports
   • Hazardous Materials
   • Vehicle Operation

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage twenty-five team members during process of unloading trailers to include accurately processing and locating merchandise throughout warehouse with RF devices.
   • Develop processes and procedures, building layout, and WMS in conjunction with software engineers from system provider.
   • Analyze logistics proposals from third party providers for cost/service benefits, determine risk to business and make recommendations to senior management.
   • Develop a PowerPoint training presentation and personally conduct daily group training sessions for all temporary route drivers.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your distribution superintendent job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A distribution superintendent can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, distribution superintendents' average salary in alaska is 71% less than in new york.
   • Seniority. Entry-level distribution superintendents 73% less than senior-level distribution superintendents.
   • Certifications. A distribution superintendent with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a distribution superintendent's salary.

   Average distribution superintendent salary

   $83,341yearly

   $40.07 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level distribution superintendent salary

   $43,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a distribution superintendent job description

   A job description for a distribution superintendent role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a distribution superintendent job description:

   Distribution superintendent job description example

   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   May serve as the Chief Water Distribution Operator for the water distribution system(s) per California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) definition.
   Responsible for the operations and maintenance of the water distribution system, including main lines, valves, service lines and hydrants.
   Coordinates and administers the functions of customer service, billing and collections, community relations, office operations, and meter programs in the Customer Service Area.
   Supervises customer service business office and related activities involving calls for service request, turn-ons and turn-offs; billing, credit and collections; and field investigations.
   Coordinates service shut downs; notifies customers of water outages and work to be performed.
   Develops and maintains an effective employee relations plan; supervises and evaluates the performance of assigned personnel.
   Ensures all water distribution facilities, and operations and maintenance programs, comply with applicable Federal, State and local ordinances and regulations.
   Develops and oversees compliance with Operations & Maintenance and Blanket Capital budgets for area of control.
   Participates in capital budget, general rate case and long-term planning.
   Ensures the safety of all operations. Conducts safety meetings, inspections and provides documentation related to all safety issues.
   Communicates both orally and written, with local government officials, company management and staff, customers, CPUC, and others.
   Acts for the General Manager as directed.
   Performs other duties as assigned.
   Works under direction.
   
   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Education and Certifications:
   
   High school diploma or equivalent.
   SWRCB Grade 3 Water Distribution Operator.
   SWRCB Grade 1 Water Treatment Plant Operator Certification preferred.
   Valid California driver's license.
   
   Required Experience
   
   Five years of progressive water industry experience, of which three years includes significant, advanced experience in water distribution and customer service activities.
   Three years prior water distribution leadership experience preferred.
   Ability to support complex projects.
   Must possess demonstrated writing skills.
   Familiar with basic PC applications.
   
   Qualities / Core Competencies:
   
   Demonstrates a strong level of accountability and ownership.
   Executes with discipline and urgency.
   High degree of initiative, self-motivated.
   
   NOTE: Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with special needs to perform the essential functions.
   
   May include but not limited to standing, climbing, walking, lifting, bending, pulling and/or pushing, grasping, reaching, stooping and crouching, sitting, typing, walking, reading, writing, color determination, speaking and listening for extended periods of time.
   
   TO APPLY, PLEASE VISIT WWW.GSWATER.COM AND CLICK ON CAREERS.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find distribution superintendents for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any distribution superintendents they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level distribution superintendents with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your distribution superintendent job on Zippia to find and recruit distribution superintendent candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit distribution superintendents, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new distribution superintendent

   Once you've found the distribution superintendent candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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