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Warehouse Manager Vs Distribution Center Manager

The differences between warehouse managers and distribution center 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 warehouse manager and a distribution center manager. Additionally, a distribution center manager has an average salary of $99,459, which is higher than the $62,189 average annual salary of a warehouse manager.

The top three skills for a warehouse manager include customer service, safety regulations and safety procedures. The most important skills for a distribution center manager are logistics, customer service, and OSHA.

Warehouse manager vs distribution center manager overview

Warehouse ManagerDistribution Center Manager
Yearly Salary$62,189$99,459
Hourly rate$29.90$47.82
Growth Rate--
Number Of Jobs56,94475,501
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average Age4545
Years Of Experience66

What does a Warehouse Manager do?

Warehouse managers oversee the overall operations of a company's warehouse. They manage the inventory by ensuring that the inventory records are updated and accurate. They tend to deliveries and check all items. They ensure that items in the warehouse are appropriately stored and secured. They also supervise the shipping of items from the warehouse and ensure that the correct products are delivered. Warehouse managers continuously find ways to improve the efficiency of warehouse operations. Warehouse managers manage warehouse personnel as well, ensuring that they are trained well and motivated to work.

What does a distribution center manager do?

A distribution center manager is an individual who is responsible for managing all the daily activities of a centralized distribution center, warehouse, or another shipping facility. Distribution center managers are required to supervise the loading and unloading of all packages as well as ensure that all goods and products have the proper storage conditions. They must evaluate freight services and manage relationships with the chose vendors. Distribution center managers are also required to monitor the safety of the facility and make sure that workers properly store everything to prevent injuries.

Warehouse manager vs distribution center manager salary

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

Warehouse ManagerDistribution Center Manager
Average Salary$62,189$99,459
Salary RangeBetween $37,000 And $103,000Between $70,000 And $141,000
Highest Paying CityReno, NVWoodland, CA
Highest Paying StateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best Paying CompanyPayPalBed Bath & Beyond
Best Paying IndustryTechnologyAutomotive

Differences between warehouse manager and distribution center manager education

There are a few differences between a warehouse manager and a distribution center manager in terms of educational background:

Warehouse ManagerDistribution Center Manager
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 37%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Warehouse manager vs distribution center manager demographics

Here are the differences between warehouse managers' and distribution center managers' demographics:

Warehouse ManagerDistribution Center Manager
Average Age4545
Gender RatioMale, 90.1% Female, 9.9%Male, 88.4% Female, 11.6%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.8% Asian, 6.2% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 6.1% White, 59.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage5%5%

Differences between warehouse manager and distribution center manager duties and responsibilities

Warehouse Manager Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage distribution costs; maintain contracts with shipping companies; organize mass mailings using USPS.
  • Manage 130 team members in the carton sortation, garment on hanger, will call and outbound operations.
  • Manage all small packaging shipping and receiving duties along with negotiating all pricing discounts and all LTL and full truck loads.
  • Experience with managing logistics and inventory in multiple facility locations and ERP databases.
  • Manage payroll and oversee center/facility expenses and accounts payable practicing cost containment strategies.
  • Experience with DRP, ERP, VMI, WMS.
  • Show More

Distribution Center Manager Example Responsibilities.

  • Assist in implementing MRP program, BOM and manage inventory reorder points and forecasting.
  • Manage all DC relate building projects and small systems support department for 6 DCs.
  • Manage distribution center operations for industry leading LTL transportation provider.
  • Manage financial performance including operational expense control, damage reduction, capital expenditures and payroll.
  • Manage successful integration of new WMS system including voice pick technology and engineer labor standards.
  • Manage logistics operations issues that include branch logistics plan implementation, warehouse and delivery personnel management, inventory management and security/safety/housekeeping.
  • Show More

Warehouse manager vs distribution center manager skills

Common Warehouse Manager Skills
  • Customer Service, 14%
  • Safety Regulations, 9%
  • Safety Procedures, 8%
  • Logistics, 7%
  • Inventory Control, 6%
  • Shipping Receiving, 5%
Common Distribution Center Manager Skills
  • Logistics, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • OSHA, 5%
  • Continuous Improvement, 5%
  • Inventory Control, 4%
  • Process Improvement, 4%

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