What does a Distribution Manager do?
Distribution managers supervise shipping and transport of goods from their location to the destinations where they will be sold and used. Their daily work also involves ensuring vast quantities of goods are delivered safely and on time. They maintain stock levels for extensive inventories and ensure their quality and quantity. They manage the warehouse to ensure consumer demands are met and oversee the cost and amount of distributed products.
Distribution managers implement systems and plans by analyzing data to improve work execution, distributing tasks, and managing team schedules. They handle the financial budget, negotiate with customers, and implement policies and rules. They will negotiate with partners or company representatives and evaluate necessary inventories or costs with an eye on reducing costs through market research and other reports. They are also responsible for ensuring the safety, security, and health are paramount for every transport worker. Distribution managers need a high school diploma or equivalency or bachelor's degree in business.
- Respond to and coordinate all service calls required by customer.
- Assist in the finishing, assembly and packaging of products.
- Responsible for proper staging, loading and unloading of items.
- Perform duties related to the shipping and receiving of materials.
- Resolve customer service issues, deal with customer concerns, and prepare responses to customer issues and problems.
- Route materials, supplies and equipment to inspection or stock areas.
- Review data, identify and implement necessary actions as required.
- Coordinate resources to align with overall company strategies.
- Take action to learn all product and service offerings, alternative solutions, and industry trends.
- Stock and maintain inventory items in designated warehouse storage areas.
- Perform/coordinate pre-installation of new equipment to meet order dates.
- Work with distribution management team to improve work environment.
- Evaluate employee performance and provide disciplinary action as required.
- Bachelor's or Graduate's Degree in business, engineering or engineering technology or equivalent experience.
- Experience with GIS, Six Sigma training, enterprise resource planning, and MSX.
- Skilled in adult learning principles, Agile, and Cloud protocols, software and systems.
- Demonstrated business acumen and decision making skills.
- Comfortable collaborating with teams and clients to solve problems.
- Will strive for continuous improvement.
- Sound leadership and attention to details.
- Comfortable making decisions and adapting as needed.
Distribution Manager Salaries near Canada
Average Base Pay
Distribution Manager Career Path
Learn how to become a Distribution Manager, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Distribution Manager Insights
Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited“I have worked at Coke Canada for 7 years and it is a great place to grow your career.”
Rural King“The work is good and it’s a nice place to work and learn new positions along the way.”
Addison Group“Not much care for overall performance if bottom line metrics aren't hit (i.e.”
Groupe CAT“Employee handbook stated sick pay after probation but then we were told no sick pay.”
Walmart Canada“Good job and pay is good”
Fred Meyer“So much work and as a garden associate I had to work at the garden center in any condition.”
Zulily“pays good people are cool”
AstraZeneca“Best place to work and develop”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Distribution Manager
- Logistics Manager
- Fleet Manager
- Transportation Manager
- Logistics Coordinator
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I was promoted a few months ago and was just informed that my annual performance review is canceled and no annual raise will be awarded since I received a promotion this year. Is this normal?