Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Distribution Manager

🎯 Role Definition

The Distribution Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and coordinating all distribution and warehouse operations to ensure on-time delivery, inventory accuracy, cost efficiency, and safety compliance across the supply chain. This role leads cross-functional teams to optimize order fulfillment, transportation and carrier relationships, warehouse layout and processes, and KPI-driven performance improvements. The Distribution Manager partners with procurement, manufacturing, sales, and customer service to meet service level agreements (SLAs), reduce lead times, control transportation spend, and deliver continuous process improvements using WMS/TMS and data-driven decision-making.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Warehouse Supervisor / Lead (promoted after demonstrated leadership and process improvements)
Logistics Coordinator or Transportation Planner with cross-functional experience
Inventory Control Supervisor or Operations Analyst with supply chain exposure

Advancement To:

Director of Distribution / Distribution Operations
Head of Logistics / Senior Supply Chain Manager
Vice President of Supply Chain or Operations

Lateral Moves:

Inventory Manager / Demand Planning Manager
Transportation Manager / Fleet Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Own end-to-end distribution operations, including receiving, put-away, picking, packing, staging, shipping, and returns processing, and ensure adherence to established SLAs for order accuracy, on-time shipping, and customer satisfaction.
Develop, monitor, and report weekly and monthly KPIs (e.g., OTIF, order accuracy, pick rate, dock-to-stock, inventory accuracy, cycle count results, cost per order) and implement corrective action plans to drive continuous improvement.
Lead and coach a multi-shift warehouse and distribution team of supervisors, leads, associates, and temporary staff; manage hiring, performance reviews, disciplinary actions, and career development.
Implement and maintain Warehouse Management System (WMS) and integrate with ERP/TMS to optimize workflows, enable real-time inventory visibility, and minimize manual errors.
Create and manage annual distribution budgets, control labor costs, transportation spend, and capital expenditures while identifying opportunities to reduce cost-per-unit and improve margin contribution.
Design and execute efficient warehouse layouts and slotting strategies to improve throughput, minimize travel time, and optimize space utilization while planning for seasonal peaks and growth scenarios.
Own carrier selection and management, negotiate freight rates and service agreements with brokers and carriers, monitor carrier performance, and resolve service issues to minimize claims and expedite shipments.
Oversee inbound logistics and vendor compliance programs, including ASN processing, dock appointment scheduling, vendor scorecards, and supplier corrective action (SCAR) when needed.
Coordinate with procurement and production to manage inbound supplies and finished goods flow, ensuring safety stock levels and reducing stockouts or obsolescence.
Lead root cause analysis and Kaizen events to address recurring process defects and implement Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement initiatives that increase throughput and reduce waste.
Ensure compliance with OSHA, DOT, and company safety policies by delivering regular safety training, performing incident investigations, and maintaining a safe work environment.
Manage returns processing (reverse logistics), disposition of damaged goods, and warranty returns, establishing cost-efficient workflows and minimizing financial exposure.
Maintain accurate inventory valuation through cycle counts, full physical inventories, variance investigations, and process changes to improve inventory accuracy to targeted levels.
Develop and maintain contingency plans for supply chain disruptions, including alternative sourcing, cross-docking, surge staffing, and temporary storage solutions.
Lead cross-functional planning for new product introductions, seasonal promotions, and fulfillment model changes to ensure distribution readiness and capacity alignment.
Drive adoption of automation and productivity technologies (e.g., conveyor systems, pick-to-light, voice picking, robotics) by building ROI cases, piloting solutions, and managing vendor relationships.
Oversee packaging standards and right-sizing initiatives to reduce shipping costs, improve cube utilization, and ensure product protection during transit.
Partner with customer service and sales to resolve escalated customer issues, investigate delivery exceptions, and identify systemic improvements to reduce recurring complaints.
Monitor and manage claims for lost or damaged shipments, coordinating with carriers and insurance where necessary to recover costs and document process changes.
Prepare and present operational performance reviews and improvement roadmaps to senior leadership, using data visualization and KPI dashboards to drive business decisions.
Coordinate fleet operations when applicable, including routing optimization, driver performance, vehicle maintenance scheduling, and compliance with transportation regulations.
Evaluate outsource vs. in-house distribution strategies (3PL relationships), draft RFPs, negotiate contracts, and manage transition activities to preserve service continuity and cost objectives.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc analytics requests from senior leadership, pulling distribution and transportation data to inform strategic planning and capacity forecasting.
Contribute to the organization's supply chain strategy and roadmap by offering operational insights and execution plans for scaling distribution capabilities.
Collaborate with IT and data teams to translate operational needs into technical requirements for WMS/TMS enhancements, reporting improvements, and automation integrations.
Participate in cross-functional project planning, sprint reviews, and implementation activities related to distribution technology rollouts or process redesigns.
Assist in vendor onboarding and performance reviews for packaging suppliers, equipment vendors, and logistics service providers.
Support sustainability initiatives within distribution (e.g., packaging reduction, route consolidation, facility energy efficiency) and report on progress against sustainability KPIs.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proven experience with Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) such as Manhattan, HighJump, JDA/Blue Yonder, or similar, including configuration and operational best practices.
Proficiency with Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and knowledge of carrier tendering, rating, and shipment tracking workflows.
Strong Excel skills (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, advanced formulas, macros) and experience building KPI dashboards; familiarity with Power BI or Tableau preferred.
Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and integration points between ERP, WMS, and TMS.
Solid understanding of inventory management techniques: cycle counting, ABC analysis, safety stock calculations, demand variability, and SKU rationalization.
Expertise in labor planning and workforce management tools, including forecasting labor demand, scheduling multi-shift operations, and managing overtime.
Familiarity with Lean manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, 5S, and process mapping to reduce waste and improve throughput.
Knowledge of transportation regulations (DOT, HOS) and compliance for domestic and international shipments, plus experience managing customs brokers when applicable.
Experience conducting root cause analysis (5 Whys, fishbone), corrective action plans, and CAPA documentation.
Financial acumen for budgeting, P&L impact analysis, cost-to-serve calculations, and ROI modeling for capital projects and automation.
Ability to manage safety programs, incident reporting systems, OSHA compliance, and employee training programs for material handling equipment (forklifts, reach trucks).
Familiarity with reverse logistics processes, claims management, and disposition strategies.

Soft Skills

Strong leadership and people management capabilities with a track record of building high-performing teams and driving accountability.
Exceptional communication skills: able to present operational data and strategy to senior leadership and to communicate expectations clearly to frontline staff.
Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure and in fast-moving environments.
Excellent stakeholder management and collaboration skills to work cross-functionally with procurement, manufacturing, sales, IT, and finance.
Negotiation skills to secure favorable rates and contracts with carriers, 3PLs, and vendors.
Continuous improvement mindset and change management skills to lead process adoption and cultural shifts.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple projects, peaks, and competing deadlines effectively.
Customer-focused orientation with a commitment to improving on-time delivery and customer satisfaction metrics.
Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate operational metrics into business actions and measurable outcomes.
Resilience and adaptability in responding to supply chain disruptions, seasonal spikes, or rapid business change.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration, or related field.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's degree plus certifications such as APICS CPIM/CSCP, CSCMP, Lean Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt), or Certified Supply Chain Professional credentials.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Logistics & Transportation
Business Administration / Management
Industrial Engineering
Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

5–10 years in distribution, warehouse, or logistics roles with progressive leadership responsibilities.

Preferred:

7+ years managing distributed warehouse operations or multi-site distribution networks, proven experience with WMS/TMS implementations, P&L responsibility, and demonstrated success leading continuous improvement and automation projects.