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What does a distribution warehouse manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
5 min read

A distribution warehouse manager pursues performance improvement and makes informed decisions to maintain smooth operations. Besides supervising inventory security, distribution warehouse managers also support purchasing managers to attain maximum re-ordering systems. They put into practice a just-in-time type of inventory system by working hand-in-hand with suppliers to coordinate computer systems. Moreover, distribution warehouse managers ensure safe product transport and partner with suppliers to enhance optimal product packing, stocking, and labeling.

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Distribution warehouse manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real distribution warehouse manager resumes:

  • Manage all documentation of records to ensure FDA compliance and accuracy.
  • Manage payroll and oversee center/facility expenses and accounts payable practicing cost containment strategies.
  • Negotiate and coordinate logistics, ordering and receiving products from the manufacturer, space allocation, warehouse operations and inventory control.
  • Implement ISO for quality control.
  • Ensure in cycle counting and quarterly inventory via RF gun.
  • Key member of ISO compliance team; help meet certification and audit standards.
  • Audit warehouse processes to ensure all sampling in receiving and inventory is maintained in accordance with FDA standards.
  • Develop and maintain RF inter-plant inventory tracking system for material in transit.
  • Develop and implement logistics strategies that proactively identify any regulatory compliance issues and support the facilitation of corrective action.
  • Develop specifications and implement .Net application to track item-level serial numbers and interface with ERP system and produce all export documentation.
  • Implement several KPI's to increase internal and external customer satisfaction, reduce costs and newly find revenue.
  • Provide purchase orders, BOL's and all other relate paperwork to home office in an accurate and timely manner.
  • Complete shipping-processed paperwork including BOL's.
  • Conduct monthly inventory/cycle counts to ensure inventory accuracy & FIFO rotation of product.

Distribution warehouse manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 12% of Distribution Warehouse Managers are proficient in Safety Procedures, Logistics, and Operational Procedures.

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

  • Safety Procedures, 12%

    Implemented safety procedures and power lift equipment training and certification.

  • Logistics, 8%

    Negotiated and coordinated logistics, ordering and receiving products from the manufacturer, space allocation, warehouse operations and inventory control.

  • Operational Procedures, 6%

    Established operational procedures for verification of incoming and outgoing shipments, handling and disposition of merchandise and keeping of warehouse inventory.

  • Inventory Control, 6%

    Worked closely with General Manager to implement JIT inventory system that integrated with existing inventory control systems in all warehousing locations.

  • Warehouse Operations, 6%

    Planned, assigned, supervised and anticipated staff workloads and direct warehouse operations to meet prescribed productivity standards.

  • Customer Service, 6%

    Facilitated root cause failure analysis investigations with carriers, resulting in streamlined resolution for customer service issues and claims.

Most distribution warehouse managers use their skills in "safety procedures," "logistics," and "operational procedures" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential distribution warehouse manager responsibilities here:

See the full list of distribution warehouse manager skills

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Compare different distribution warehouse managers

Distribution warehouse manager vs. Receiving supervisor

A receiving supervisor manages and directs the activities of teams receiving and handling deliveries and items. Receiving supervisors coordinate and support the operations in their department. They decide on the unloading, intake, storage, and distribution of the items. It is part of their job to train their staff in handling, sorting, and maintaining stock and associated problems. They assess reports and provide a response to quality-related issues. Also, they identify work procedures, expedite workflow, and prepare their work schedule.

If we compare the average distribution warehouse manager annual salary with that of a receiving supervisor, we find that receiving supervisors typically earn a $8,852 higher salary than distribution warehouse managers make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both distribution warehouse manager and receiving supervisor positions are skilled in safety procedures, logistics, and inventory control.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between distribution warehouse managers and receiving supervisor. For instance, distribution warehouse manager responsibilities require skills such as "operational procedures," "warehouse associates," "pallet jack," and "distribution warehouse." Whereas a receiving supervisor is skilled in "purchase orders," "sales floor," "excellent interpersonal," and "osha." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Receiving supervisors tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $39,325. In contrast, distribution warehouse managers make the biggest average salary, $31,834, in the manufacturing industry.receiving supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than distribution warehouse managers. In fact, receiving supervisors are 2.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution warehouse 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.

Logistics supervisor positions earn higher pay than distribution warehouse manager roles. They earn a $36,983 higher salary than distribution warehouse managers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both distribution warehouse managers and logistics supervisors have skills such as "safety procedures," "inventory control," and "warehouse operations. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that distribution warehouse manager responsibilities requires skills like "logistics," "operational procedures," "warehouse associates," and "pallet jack." But a logistics supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "continuous improvement," "osha," "excellent time management," and "customer satisfaction."

On average, logistics supervisors earn a higher salary than distribution warehouse managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, logistics supervisors earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $82,503. Whereas distribution warehouse managers have higher pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $31,834.In general, logistics supervisors achieve similar levels of education than distribution warehouse managers. They're 1.5% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution warehouse manager 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.

On average scale, traffic managers bring in higher salaries than distribution warehouse managers. In fact, they earn a $33,416 higher salary per year.distribution warehouse managers and traffic managers both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "inventory control," "customer orders," and "inventory management," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, distribution warehouse managers are more likely to have skills like "safety procedures," "logistics," "operational procedures," and "warehouse operations." But a traffic manager is more likely to have skills like "project management," "traffic management," "account executives," and "faa."

Most traffic managers achieve a similar degree level compared to distribution warehouse managers. For example, they're 0.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Distribution warehouse manager 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 average a higher salary than the annual salary of distribution warehouse managers. The difference is about $34,450 per year.According to resumes from distribution warehouse managers and inventory managers, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "logistics," "inventory control," and "warehouse operations. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between distribution warehouse managers and inventory managers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a distribution warehouse manager might have more use for skills like "safety procedures," "operational procedures," "shipping receiving," and "warehouse associates." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of inventory managers require skills like "pet," "manage inventory," "purchase orders," and "highlighted. "

Inventory managers enjoy the best pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $66,537. For comparison, distribution warehouse managers earn the highest salary in the manufacturing industry.The average resume of inventory managers showed that they earn similar levels of education compared to distribution warehouse managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 0.2%.

Types of distribution warehouse manager

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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