Inventory manager vs distribution manager

The differences between inventory managers and distribution managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an inventory manager and a distribution manager. Additionally, a distribution manager has an average salary of $89,264, which is higher than the $62,768 average annual salary of an inventory manager.

The top three skills for an inventory manager include PET, direct reports and customer service. The most important skills for a distribution manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.

Inventory manager vs distribution manager overview

	Inventory Manager	Distribution Manager
Yearly salary	$62,768	$89,264
Hourly rate	$30.18	$42.92
Growth rate	-6%	6%
Number of jobs	30,717	39,061
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	47	45
Years of experience	6	6

What does an inventory manager do?

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.

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.

Inventory manager vs distribution manager salary

Inventory managers and distribution managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Inventory Manager	Distribution Manager
Average salary	$62,768	$89,264
Salary range	Between $43,000 And $91,000	Between $62,000 And $128,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Redmond, WA
Highest paying state	Washington	Washington
Best paying company	NVIDIA	Levi Strauss & Co.
Best paying industry	Retail	Technology

Differences between inventory manager and distribution manager education

There are a few differences between an inventory manager and a distribution manager in terms of educational background:

	Inventory Manager	Distribution Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Inventory manager vs distribution manager demographics

Here are the differences between inventory managers' and distribution managers' demographics:

	Inventory Manager	Distribution Manager
Average age	47	45
Gender ratio	Male, 69.4% Female, 30.6%	Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.8% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.1% Asian, 8.5% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	10%	5%

Differences between inventory manager and distribution manager duties and responsibilities

Inventory manager example responsibilities.

Accomplish and operate MRP and produce purchasing orders to optimize inventories of materials and supplies necessary to achieve production demands.
Manage a wide variety of customer service and administrative software such as TallyWizard and QuickBooks.
Manage control measures to ensure mistakes, inaccuracies and discrepancies are highlight, addressed and resolve.
Manage credit control, monthly reconciliations, management analysis and internal control.
Reduce new parts inventory and increase cash flow level each year with JIT deliveries.
Create and implement numerous processes, reports, and indicators for MRO inventory management.

Distribution manager example responsibilities.

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.

Inventory manager vs distribution manager skills

Common inventory manager skills

PET, 75%
Direct Reports, 4%
Customer Service, 4%
Inventory Control, 2%
Logistics, 2%
Manage Inventory, 2%

Common distribution manager skills

Customer Service, 14%
Logistics, 10%
Continuous Improvement, 6%
OSHA, 5%
Operational Procedures, 4%
Distribution Operations, 4%

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Inventory Manager
Inventory Manager vs Distribution Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

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