How to hire a distribution supervisor

How to hire a distribution supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step distribution supervisor 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 supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new distribution supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a distribution supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your distribution supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a distribution supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A distribution supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, distribution supervisors 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of distribution supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Distribution Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Distribution Supervisor		$19-46
   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
   Terminal Manager	Terminal managers are professionals who are responsible for managing workers and direct dispatching activities of logistics vehicles. These managers are required to develop relationships with corporate and operational departments so that they can ensure the company logistics standards are met... Show more	$26-47

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Logistics
   • Continuous Improvement
   • OSHA
   • Inventory Control
   • Shipping Receiving
   • Corrective Action
   • Safety Training
   • WMS
   • Performance Reviews
   • Direct Reports
   • ISO
   • Sigma
   • Excellent Interpersonal

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Begin the implementation of standard work and lead kaizen event to standardize pack stations.
   • Manage warehouse technology including RF, packing systems, shipping systems, and forklift operations.
   • Develop the WMS training program and lead the team in the design of WMS process rules.
   • Have led cost saving initiatives including staffing, a DC expansion, and customization of WMS.
   • Manage all logistics including ocean and air imports, exports and domestic distribution via TL, LTL, and small parcel.
   • Comply with cleanliness standards, government regulations, and safety requirements, including OSHA, FDA, and HACCP.

   More distribution supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, distribution supervisors' average salary in wyoming is 44% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level distribution supervisors 58% less than senior-level distribution supervisors.
   • Certifications. A distribution supervisor 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 supervisor's salary.

   Average distribution supervisor salary

   $62,458yearly

   $30.03 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level distribution supervisor salary

   $40,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

   Average distribution supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nevada	$83,200	$40
   2	New Jersey	$78,510	$38
   3	Pennsylvania	$77,693	$37
   4	Maryland	$73,617	$35
   5	Massachusetts	$73,532	$35
   6	Virginia	$67,350	$32
   7	Utah	$61,936	$30
   8	Arizona	$59,389	$29
   9	Indiana	$59,199	$28
   10	Texas	$54,641	$26
   11	Illinois	$54,356	$26
   12	Minnesota	$54,231	$26
   13	Georgia	$53,656	$26
   14	Arkansas	$53,348	$26
   15	Iowa	$52,201	$25
   16	Florida	$51,872	$25
   17	Colorado	$50,820	$24
   18	Oklahoma	$49,958	$24
   19	Missouri	$47,662	$23

   Average distribution supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Agilent Technologies	$117,806	$56.64	1
   2	CITGO Petroleum	$109,626	$52.70
   3	University Hospitals	$109,457	$52.62
   4	H-E-B	$106,694	$51.30	1
   5	Colfax Corporation	$94,270	$45.32	1
   6	Praxair	$93,089	$44.75
   7	Avnet	$90,426	$43.47	2
   8	TriHealth	$90,309	$43.42	9
   9	Philips	$89,532	$43.04	2
   10	Thermo Fisher Scientific	$88,582	$42.59	29
   11	DICK'S Sporting Goods	$88,342	$42.47
   12	Giant Eagle	$86,136	$41.41	2
   13	Caterpillar	$84,962	$40.85	5
   14	Insight Enterprises	$84,509	$40.63
   15	Central Vermont Medical Center	$83,849	$40.31	1
   16	Dairy Farmers of America	$81,739	$39.30	27
   17	Boston Medical Center	$81,621	$39.24	7
   18	RWJBarnabas Health	$81,090	$38.99	7
   19	Schreiber Foods	$78,971	$37.97	5
   20	Grainger	$78,242	$37.62	7

4. Writing a distribution supervisor job description

   A distribution supervisor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a distribution supervisor job description:

   Distribution supervisor job description example

   At Owens & Minor, we are a critical part of the healthcare process. As a Fortune 500 company with 50+ facilities across the US and 18,000 teammates in over 90 countries, we provide integrated technologies, products and services across the full continuum of care. Customers-and their patients-are at the heart of what we do.
   
   Our mission is to empower our customers to advance healthcare, and our success starts with our teammates.
   Owens & Minor teammate benefits include:
   Medical, dental, and vision insurance, available on first working day 401(k), eligibility after 30 days of employment Employee stock purchase plan Tuition reimbursement Development opportunities to grow your career with a global company
   
   Responsible for oversight of employees in batching, picking, order control, packing, replenishment, etc. Carries out responsibilities in accordance with distribution center procedures. Responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance (reporting performance to the Supervisor), and reporting problems immediately to the Supervisor.
   
   Responsibilities and Duties
   Manages order picking, checking, packing, and shipping to meet daily productivity goals Schedules work for each work area
   Monitor employee works productivity, accuracy, neatness, and conformance to Byram Code of Conduct and other company policies.Traces the history of shipped orders to identify and resolve service failures and recommends remedial actions.Implement, enforce and report on quality control procedures including but not limited to cleaning products, clean aisles, employee picking errors, and productivity performance.Reviews and monitors security procedures by implementing and performing security checks as well as observing employee actions for security regulation compliance.Responsible for the nightly closing of the facility and compliance with nightly close procedures.Review errors and complaints and compile individual statistics to review with the management to determine appropriate action.Conduct corrective action with employees via oral and written warnings when employees are not meeting all company expectations.Communicates and works well with all Byram management.Maintain a safe and clean work environment.
   Qualifications and Skills
   Proven work history in a fast-paced pick/pack and warehouse environment.Must be able to lift 50 lbs. daily.Forklift experience is preferred but not required.Excellent communication skills, verbal and written.Task-oriented with excellent organizational skills, ability to prioritize workload.Enthusiastic attitude, team player, and adaptable to new or changing circumstances with a professional demeanor.ERP experience is preferred but not required.
   One-year related experience
   Additional Requirements
   Occasional Saturday work
   
   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin physical or mental handicap, disability, age or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era.
   
   If you feel this opportunity could be the next step in your career, we encourage you to apply.
   
   Owens & Minor is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, genetic information, religion, disability, age, status as a veteran, or any other status prohibited by applicable national, federal, state or local law.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right distribution supervisor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit distribution supervisors, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 supervisor

   Once you've decided on a perfect distribution supervisor candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them 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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How much does it cost to hire a distribution supervisor?