What Are a Distribution Manager’s Responsibilities?

Today’s world is more interconnected than ever, and so is our supply chain. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. transportation system moved a daily average of about 55.5 million tons of freight in 2023. More and more of that freight is moving greater distances as the global supply chain grows and more companies acquire distant partners and vendors.

Distribution managers keep the supply chain moving and ensure that products get into the hands of the relevant people. With App State Online’s Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) in Supply Chain Management Flight Path Program, students learn how to navigate an increasingly complex global supply chain and leverage their knowledge for success.

What Does a Distribution Manager Do?

Distribution managers oversee and implement the processes and overall strategy of transporting and delivering products. They keep track of product numbers and volume in a facility, create and implement the processes for delivering the product and monitor all shipments coming in and going out of their facility.

Distribution managers work primarily in warehouses and distribution centers, where their goal is to ensure that the processes are running smoothly and products are reaching customers when and how they should be.

Distribution Manager Responsibilities

Day-to-day duties and responsibilities of a distribution manager include the following:

Managing inventory
Supervising product dispatches
Creating schedules for distribution staffers
Negotiating prices with suppliers
Addressing customer concerns regarding shipping
Finding opportunities for improvement in distribution performance
Setting and tracking goals for the distribution team
Implementing and operating information systems for distribution and shipping data
Overseeing any global supply chain management that a company or facility engages in

How to Become a Distribution Manager

There are multiple pathways to becoming a distribution manager. However, these professionals should have relevant foundational competencies. Prospective distribution managers with certain types of experience and education, like a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, can better prepare for their future careers.

Education and Experience

Distribution managers typically need, at minimum, a high school diploma. However, many employers prefer to hire individuals who have at least a bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or a related field, like manufacturing or economics.

Since a distribution manager is a leadership role, employers usually require at least three to five years of experience working as a distribution associate or similar role first. Earning certain certifications can also help prospective distribution managers hone their skills and stand out among their competition.

For instance, distribution workers can obtain the Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) certification from the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This certification takes 58 hours to complete and shows that the worker has a thorough understanding of the security issues that can occur in logistical operations.

Necessary Skills

Skills needed to thrive as a distribution manager include the following:

Leadership skills: Since distribution managers oversee and manage entire warehouses, they need leadership skills to foster a collaborative, motivational work environment that creates more efficient product distribution.
Communication skills: Distribution managers must be effective communicators, since they communicate with stakeholders, negotiate with vendors and collaborate both within their own team and across teams.
Technology skills: Since today’s supply chain requires the use of technology like warehouse and transportation management systems, a distribution manager must be well-versed in using this technology to ensure operations are running correctly.
Mathematics: Distribution managers may need to quickly calculate product volumes, processing and shipping times and how much inventory to order.

Distribution Manager Career Outlook

With a high projected growth rate, now may be a perfect time to prepare for a lucrative career as a distribution manager. These organized strategists are currently in high demand.

Salary and Job Projections

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for a distribution manager was about $102,010 as of May 2024. The BLS also projects that this career is growing quickly, with an expected growth rate of 9% between 2023 and 2033, far outpacing the national average.

Learn In-Demand Supply Chain Skills With App State Online

From clothing to food and beverage, many industries need distribution managers. These professionals oversee the effective distribution of products and services between manufacturing, transportation and delivery.

Because of the nature of their role, distribution managers need to understand the supply chain and how it works. With App State Online’s BSBA in Supply Chain Management Flight Path Program, students prepare for various roles in logistics, transportation, product and inventory, such as distribution managers. Our program has coursework in supply chain management, quality management, production management and business.

Students come away from the program with a future-minded skill set provided by industry professionals who ensure that all curriculum is up to date with supply chain career expectations. With multiple eight-week term starts and transfer-friendly policies, App State Online makes it simple to start planning your new career as a distribution manager.

Find out more about the program and advance your career with App State Online.

Recommended Readings

What Does a Supply Chain Analyst Do?

The Importance of Procurement Specialists

What Is a Logistics Coordinator?

Sources:

Indeed, “6 Warehouse Certifications To Boost Your Career”

Indeed, “What Does a Distribution Manager Do? Duties and Skills”

Indeed, “What Does a Distribution Manager Do? (With Salary and Skills)”

Manufacturing Skills Standards Council, Certified Logistics Associate (CLA) Key Activities

Payscale, Average Distribution Manager Salary

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers