How to hire a regional distribution manager

How to hire a regional distribution manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step regional distribution manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a regional distribution manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new regional distribution manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The regional distribution manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

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

   This list shows salaries for various types of regional distribution managers.

   Type of Regional Distribution Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Regional Distribution Manager		$36-108
   Manager	Managers are responsible for a specific department, function, or employee group. They oversee their assigned departments and all the employees under the department... Show more	$17-44
   Shipping Manager	A shipping manager is responsible for monitoring the shipment procedures of a distribution center, ensuring the quality and quantity of the merchandise before release to avoid delays and client conflicts. Shipping managers evaluate staff performance on their productivity in meeting timely deliveries and operational efficiency... Show more	$17-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Logistics
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • Regional Distribution
   • Trade Shows
   • Sales Management
   • Customer Service
   • Business Reviews
   • Distribution Channels
   • Direct Reports
   • WMS
   • Product Training
   • Distribution Centers
   • Inventory Control
   • Cost Savings

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage twenty-five team members during process of unloading trailers to include accurately processing and locating merchandise throughout warehouse with RF devices.
   • Lead and develop 100 + employees and third party logistics partners.
   • Integrate the logistics operations with national and field sales divisions to deliver brand and marketing strategies and goals.
   • Direct sales responsibilities for 16 key accounts in market segments such as energy, instrumentation, RF and industrial.
   • Negotiate competitive contracts with providers with minimal membership leverage, developing a viable network for commercial, Medicare and Medicaid sales.
   • Determine the most appropriate, efficient and economical transportation services IAW applicable cargo movement directives.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your regional distribution manager job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A regional distribution manager salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, regional distribution managers' average salary in florida is 43% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level regional distribution managers earn 67% less than senior-level regional distribution managers.
   • Certifications. A regional distribution manager with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a regional distribution manager's salary.

   Average regional distribution manager salary

   $130,864yearly

   $62.92 hourly rate

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   Entry-level regional distribution manager salary

   $75,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 18, 2025

4. Writing a regional distribution manager job description

   A regional distribution manager 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. Below, you can find an example of a regional distribution manager job description:

   Regional distribution manager job description example

   Our client is a global leader in agriculture; rooted in science and dedicated to bringing plant potential to life. This leader has 28,000 employees in more than 90 countries working together to solve one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: growing more food with fewer resources. Our client has a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace environment. No matter what your position, you will have a vital role in safely feeding the world and taking care of our planet.

   We are searching for a highly motivated Regional Distribution Safety Manager to own the North America Crop Protection compliance with all relevant national and international transport regulatory requirements and company policies. This role also represents NA in the global Distribution Safety Team.

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead efforts to deliver efficient and compliant transportation requirements for NA domestic and export shipping adhering to all applicable requirements: internal, external, legal, regulatory, and HSE (i.e., USDOT, IATA, and IMDG)
   • Provide regulatory and technical support to customers and business partners to promote safe and efficient distribution to the end-use customer
   • Research and interpret regulatory changes and establish a strategy to maximize Distribution efficiency while minimizing risk and maintaining compliance
   • Develop North American policies and management programs to ensure distribution safety and security
   • Support regional implementation of global distribution safety initiatives by coordinating with other regions and departments including HSE, Planning, Customer Service, Formulation, and Production
   • Facilitate sharing of key performance indicators and metrics monthly to show logistical health and areas for improvement
   • Audit and assess third-party providers to ensure compliance and risk mitigation
   • Support the NA emergency response team for logistics-related spills and emergencies

   Requirements:

   • Bachelor's or Master’s degree in environmental sciences, chemistry, or engineering
   • 5+ years of work experience with DOT HazMat regulations
   • 2+ years of work experience with IATA and IMDG transport regulations
   • Multiple years of experience in logistics, preferably in a highly outsourced environment
   • International transportation experience with chemicals industry experience preferred
   • SAP experience preferred
   • Strategic and able to deliver solutions to business problems
   • Proven self-motivated change agent
   • Skilled in developing relationships across departments
   • Driven to deliver timely operational service

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right regional distribution manager for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with regional distribution managers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit regional distribution managers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your regional distribution manager job on Zippia to find and recruit regional distribution manager 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 regional distribution managers, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 regional distribution manager

   Once you've decided on a perfect regional distribution manager 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new regional distribution manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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