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What does a storage manager do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read

A storage manager oversees storage operations and distributes merchandise. They tend to be employed in warehouses or transportation industries. The use computer systems to track stock, place orders, keep records, and evaluate staff performance. They are also responsible for collaborating with suppliers and other outside agencies.

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Storage manager responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real storage manager resumes:

  • Develop capacity planning strategy to manage business as usual growth that would occur during the migration windows.
  • Plan project and manage SAN integration into existing server environment (production, test, and development).
  • Manage storage and filesystems using LVM tools, and use AIX tools and utilities for routine system administration and maintenance tasks.
  • Engage in managing SnapMirror performance management, fine-tuning.
  • Configure NetApp CIFS, NFS, FC and ISCSI.
  • Used EMC RecoverPoint from VNX storage systems to provide continuous data protection and remote replication for recovery.
  • Create new CIFS shares and NFS exports.
  • Install and administration EMC- ISILON, NAS backups.
  • Create and configure both NFS and SMB shares and relate user permissions.
  • Establish UNIX and Linux standards team for the creation of standard system builds and repeatable processes.
  • Schedule and ensure successful snapshots for the production data, boot/application database luns and restore them in the event failure.
  • Created/Implement customized disaster recovery procedures for the TSM server and clients.
  • Create CIFS shares on HNAS and VNX.
  • Create the zones for various server on CISCO switches.
  • Adhere to strict ITIL framework.

Storage manager skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Storage Managers are proficient in Customer Service, Phone Calls, and Bank Deposits. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Problem-solving skills.

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

  • Customer Service, 10%

    Maintained 94% average unit occupancy through providing excellent customer service and regularly utilizing SiteLink reports.

  • Phone Calls, 10%

    Answered and directed all phone calls daily through the office, recorded voice messages, and distributed in office.

  • Bank Deposits, 8%

    Make weekly bank deposits, purchase supplies & coordinate pickup or delivery of items needed for property operations.

  • Storage Facility, 4%

    Responsibilities*Managed, supervised in the daily operations of a large storage facility.

  • Linux, 4%

    Worked with Database administrators to tune the kernel for Oracle installations on Linux.

  • TSM, 4%

    Created/implemented customized disaster recovery procedures for the TSM server and clients.

"customer service," "phone calls," and "bank deposits" are among the most common skills that storage managers use at work. You can find even more storage manager responsibilities below, including:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a storage manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what storage managers do because "administrators need to evaluate networks and systems to make sure that they perform reliably and to anticipate new requirements as customers’ needs change." Additionally, a storage manager resume shows how storage managers use analytical skills: "support in data center migration project activities including all tsm logistical requirements. "

Communication skills. Many storage manager duties rely on communication skills. "administrators must describe problems and their solutions to non-it workers.," so a storage manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways storage manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "managed communications with vendors such as emc, symantec, brocade, and sun. "

Problem-solving skills. storage managers are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to storage manager responsibilities, because "administrators must quickly resolve problems that arise with computer networks." A storage manager resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "performed complex storage configuration analysis on client systems and developed opportunities to introduce hds storage systems as a solution. "

See the full list of storage manager skills

The three companies that hire the most storage managers are:

Compare different storage managers

Storage manager vs. Distribution superintendent

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.

If we compare the average storage manager annual salary with that of a distribution superintendent, we find that distribution superintendents typically earn a $53,219 higher salary than storage managers make annually.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, storage manager responsibilities require skills like "customer service," "phone calls," "bank deposits," and "storage facility." Meanwhile a typical distribution superintendent has skills in areas such as "construction projects," "osha," "safety program," and "safety training." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Distribution superintendents tend to reach similar levels of education than storage managers. In fact, distribution superintendents are 2.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.

Storage manager vs. Distribution supervisor

A distribution director spearheads and oversees an organization's distribution procedures, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. It is their duty to coordinate with different departments to identify and understand the distribution needs, set goals and guidelines, manage budgets and schedules, delegate tasks among managers, develop strategies to optimize operations, and present reports to the executives and shareholders. They must also liaise with externals parties, building positive relationships with them. Moreover, a distribution director must lead and encourage the workforce to reach goals while monitoring the progress of operations.

A career as a distribution supervisor brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a storage manager. In fact, distribution supervisors salary is $32,336 higher than the salary of storage 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 storage managers and distribution supervisors have skills such as "customer service," "inventory control," and "cost savings. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that storage manager responsibilities requires skills like "phone calls," "bank deposits," "storage facility," and "linux." But a distribution supervisor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "logistics," "continuous improvement," "osha," and "shipping receiving."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Distribution supervisors tend to reach similar levels of education than storage managers. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Storage manager vs. Director of distribution

An average director of distribution eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of storage managers. The difference in salaries amounts to directors of distribution earning a $96,088 higher average salary than storage managers.By looking over several storage managers and directors of distribution resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "customer service," "inventory control," and "cost savings." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, storage managers are more likely to have skills like "phone calls," "bank deposits," "storage facility," and "linux." But a director of distribution is more likely to have skills like "continuous improvement," "project management," "distribution operations," and "distribution centers."

Most directors of distribution achieve a similar degree level compared to storage managers. For example, they're 4.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Storage manager vs. Distribution agent

Distribution agents tend to earn a higher pay than storage managers by an average of $14,033 per year.While both storage managers and distribution agents complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like customer service, inventory control, and customer complaints, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A storage manager uses "phone calls," "bank deposits," "storage facility," and "linux." Distribution agents are more likely to have duties that require skills in "customer orders," "hand trucks," "inventory management," and "operational reports. "distribution agents reach similar levels of education compared to storage managers, in general. The difference is that they're 2.9% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 2.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of storage 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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