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What does a distribution supervisor do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read
What does a distribution supervisor do

A distribution supervisor is in charge of overseeing all distribution processes in a warehouse or similar setting, ensuring accuracy and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities typically revolve around coordinating deliveries and shipment, managing schedules, delegating tasks, assessing the performance of the workforce, and maintaining records of all transactions. Should there be any issues or concerns, it is essential to resolve them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a supervisor, it is vital to lead and encourage the employees to reach goals and deadlines, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.

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Distribution supervisor responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution supervisor resumes:

  • 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.
  • Ensure that the department are in compliance with all ISO quality procedures for internal/external audits.
  • Restructure of a new warehouse to comply with the FDA regulations and follow the procedures establish.
  • Observe the work force to make sure all equipment is being operate safely in compliance with OSHA standards.
  • Maintain and update ISO documentation.
  • Maintain all computerize documentation, ensuring accurate and efficient operations of quarantine material to meet FDA requirements.
  • Direct inbound or outbound logistics operations, such as transportation or warehouse activities, safety performance, or logistics quality management.
  • Coordinate the testing, training employees and implementation of ERP, JDE and stock locator systems.
  • Insure daily that all order parts are pick, pack and dock confirm through AS400.
  • Perform all quality checks on shipment by verifying that BOL and packing list are accurate.

Distribution supervisor skills and personality traits

We calculated that 11% of Distribution Supervisors are proficient in Customer Service, Logistics, and Continuous Improvement.

We break down the percentage of Distribution Supervisors that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Customer Service, 11%

    Create inventory reports relating to each different customer needs and ensuring proper follow up from customer service representatives and inventory personnel.

  • Logistics, 10%

    Maintain and develop positive business relationships with key personnel involved in or directly relevant to a logistics activity and Project Management.

  • Continuous Improvement, 6%

    Developed comprehensive strategy around inventory control maintaining 99.98% inventory accuracy with continuous improvement used as key lever.

  • OSHA, 5%

    Trained drivers/merchandisers in customer relations and proper Coca-Cola standards including safe operation of equipment in compliance with OSHA and DOT regulations.

  • Inventory Control, 4%

    Coordinated distribution operations and inventory control

  • Shipping Receiving, 4%

    Promoted through a series of progressively responsible positions from order processor to senior order processor and to shipping receiving supervisor.

Most distribution supervisors use their skills in "customer service," "logistics," and "continuous improvement" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential distribution supervisor responsibilities here:

See the full list of distribution supervisor skills

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Compare different distribution supervisors

Distribution supervisor 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.

We looked at the average distribution supervisor salary and compared it with the wages of a warehouse manager. Generally speaking, warehouse managers are paid $269 lower than distribution supervisors per year.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both distribution supervisor and warehouse manager positions are skilled in customer service, logistics, and inventory control.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a distribution supervisor are more likely to require skills like "continuous improvement," "osha," "safety training," and "performance reviews." On the other hand, a job as a warehouse manager requires skills like "safety procedures," "delivery truck," "purchase orders," and "warehouse inventory." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Warehouse managers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $64,453. Comparatively, distribution supervisors tend to make the most money in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $68,278.The education levels that warehouse managers earn slightly differ from distribution supervisors. In particular, warehouse managers are 1.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a distribution supervisor. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution supervisor vs. 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. They must resolve customer service complaints by implementing satisfactory solutions to retain customers. Terminal drivers must train new drivers so that they can be licensed, tested, and certified according to federal and state laws. They are also required to maintain a clean and safe working condition of their facility and equipment.

Terminal manager positions earn higher pay than distribution supervisor roles. They earn a $11,779 higher salary than distribution supervisors per year.A few skills overlap for distribution supervisors and terminal managers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "customer service," "osha," and "inventory control. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real distribution supervisor resumes. While distribution supervisor responsibilities can utilize skills like "logistics," "continuous improvement," "shipping receiving," and "corrective action," terminal managers use skills like "dot," "work ethic," "payroll," and "facility maintenance."

Terminal managers may earn a higher salary than distribution supervisors, but terminal managers earn the most pay in the energy industry with an average salary of $74,010. On the other hand, distribution supervisors receive higher pay in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $68,278.In general, terminal managers achieve similar levels of education than distribution supervisors. They're 0.4% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution supervisor vs. Traffic manager

The main job of a traffic manager is to make sure that account service marketing collateral works and flows efficiently to production and creative departments. Traffic managers take responsibility for keeping everyone in the team on task and the projects on deadline. They manage the logistics tasks and keep the parties up-to-date on the recent progress. It is their job to coordinate work among the account managers, staff members, and advertisers. Also, they develop and maintain procedure transportation and distribution for delivery efficiency maximization.

An average traffic manager eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of distribution supervisors. The difference in salaries amounts to traffic managers earning a $724 lower average salary than distribution supervisors.Using the responsibilities included on distribution supervisors and traffic managers resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "inventory control," "direct reports," and "iso.rdquo;

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 supervisor is likely to be skilled in "customer service," "logistics," "continuous improvement," and "osha," while a typical traffic manager is skilled in "project management," "traffic management," "account executives," and "faa."

When it comes to education, traffic managers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to distribution supervisors. In fact, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution supervisor vs. Inventory manager

An inventory manager is responsible for supervising the overall inventory operations, monitoring supplies and materials, and checking the accuracy of data reports from the inventory associates. Inventory managers' duties include validating stock levels using record software tools, determining the availability of stocks for purchase orders, inspecting the incoming and outgoing shipments, and addressing product concerns by communicating with suppliers and third-party vendors. An inventory manager must have excellent communication and leadership skills to handle the staff's performance and manage customers' inquiries and complaints.

Inventory managers typically earn higher pay than distribution supervisors. On average, inventory managers earn a $310 higher salary per year.According to resumes from distribution supervisors and inventory managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "customer service," "logistics," and "inventory control. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between distribution supervisors and inventory managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a distribution supervisor might have more use for skills like "continuous improvement," "osha," "shipping receiving," and "corrective action." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of inventory managers require skills like "pet," "manage inventory," "purchase orders," and "highlighted. "

The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for inventory managers, with average annual pay of $66,537. Comparatively, the highest distribution supervisor annual salary comes from the manufacturing industry.In general, inventory managers hold similar degree levels compared to distribution supervisors. Inventory managers are 0.6% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of distribution supervisor

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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