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The differences between logistics leads 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 a logistics lead and a distribution manager. Additionally, a distribution manager has an average salary of $89,264, which is higher than the $53,263 average annual salary of a logistics lead.
The top three skills for a logistics lead include customer service, continuous improvement and inventory control. The most important skills for a distribution manager are customer service, logistics, and continuous improvement.
| Logistics Lead | Distribution Manager | |
| Yearly salary | $53,263 | $89,264 |
| Hourly rate | $25.61 | $42.92 |
| Growth rate | 28% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 32,131 | 39,061 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A logistics lead is an individual who coordinates the logistical functions as well as the entire life cycle of a product of an organization. Logistics leads should represent the relationship between sales and logistics departments to ensure that freight arrangements flow in a timely and effective manner. They are required to receive incoming materials and process purchase orders and daily receipts into the inventory management system. Logistics leads must also prioritize the organization's daily operations and workflow to ensure that deadlines are met with maximum product quality.
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.
Logistics leads and distribution managers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Logistics Lead | Distribution Manager | |
| Average salary | $53,263 | $89,264 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $87,000 | Between $62,000 And $128,000 |
| Highest paying City | Mountain View, CA | Redmond, WA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Meta | Levi Strauss & Co. |
| Best paying industry | - | Technology |
There are a few differences between a logistics lead and a distribution manager in terms of educational background:
| Logistics Lead | 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 |
Here are the differences between logistics leads' and distribution managers' demographics:
| Logistics Lead | Distribution Manager | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.9% Female, 24.1% | Male, 82.6% Female, 17.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | 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 | 5% | 5% |