OVERVIEW
What is a Distribution Manager?
Whether it’s a favorite brand of cereal or a specific line of personal care items you can’t live without, you probably have at least one preferred product you regularly purchase online or at a local retailer. For the ease and convenience with which you shop for goods like these, you can thank the efforts of distribution managers. If you have strong leadership skills, enjoy finding creative solutions to practical problems, and work well as part of a team, then you’ll want to check out what distribution management is all about.
Distribution management professionals serve an important role within a business environment. Their many responsibilities include organizing and coordinating the supply, storage, and distribution of a company’s goods or products, and also serve as the point of contact between departments, customers, and suppliers. They record purchases, monitor stock levels, facilitate the storage and distribution of goods, and handle invoices and budgeting.
Professionals in this field generally work for centers that stock and ship products from many different manufacturers, but they can also use their skills and knowledge to advertise to retailers, putting together catalogs and magazines that outline products, prices, and deals. If a career in distribution management sounds interesting to you, continue reading to learn the vital role these professionals play in business and discover how you can apply your skills and knowledge to make an impact in this dynamic and exciting role.
RESPONSIBILITIES
What Does a Distribution Manager Do?
A distribution manager is responsible for a wide variety of duties, from analyzing stock levels of products and goods to establishing order schedules for a company or business. Some of the common day-to-day duties of a distribution manager may include:
- Organizing shipments.
- Coordinating drivers, vehicles, loads, and journeys.
- Operating IT systems to manage timings, costs, and stock levels.
- Analyzing data to assess performance of distribution methods, discover logistical problems, and devise plans for improvements.
- Negotiating contracts.
- Planning for and troubleshooting technical difficulties.
- Preparing paperwork for regulatory bodies.
- Liaising with and managing staff and shifts.
- Monitoring stock and managing waste.
- Ensuring that health and safety standards are met.
Where Does a Distribution Manager Work?
Professionals in this role are employed by a range of business organizations, including manufacturing companies, wholesale distributors, and retail chains. Distribution managers can work within a variety of sectors, from private companies to the government in industries such as retail, aviation, engineering, transportation, and more.
If an exciting career in distribution management sounds appealing to you, find out more about gaining the skills and knowledge you need by earning a B.S. in Supply Chain and Operations Management (BSSCOM) from WGU.
Offering accredited coursework in areas such as supply chain analytics, business analytics, and operations management, WGU’s entirely online supply chain and operations management degree program gives you a solid foundation based on the sought-after skills employers look for within today’s rapidly growing and competitive market.
EDUCATION & BEST DEGREES
How Do I Become a Distribution Manager?
Distribution managers have at least a high-school diploma, however, professionals in the field will typically require earning a bachelor’s degree in business or management. Significant experience in warehourse management, or an understanding of current shipping technology is also a requirement for many of today’s jobs in distribution management. To get started in this field, follow these steps:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree, preferably in supply chain and operations management, logistics, or economics.
- Choose a specialty in your field.
- Get on the job training or an entry-level position as a distribution manager.
- Advance in your career by earning a master’s degree and potentially earning certifications such as Certified Distribution Management Professional (CDMP), Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), or APICS Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD-APICS) certificate.
Best Degrees for a Distribution Manager
Business
Supply Chain and Operations Management - B.S.
This online supply chain and operations management program will prepare...
This online supply chain and operations management program will prepare you for real-world experiences in business.
- Time: 61% of graduates finish similar programs within 19 months.
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term.
- Courses: 36 courses in this program.
Skills for your résumé that you will learn in this program:
- Project Management
- Strategic Planning
- Detail Oriented
- Management
- Leadership
- Operations:
Business
Finance – B.S.
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant...
This online finance program is career-focused so you will gain relevant industry skills.
- Time: 62% of graduates finish similar programs within 24 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 41 courses in this program
Some careers and jobs this business degree will prepare you for:
- Management
- Accounting
- Finance
- Spreadsheets
- Financial Analysis
- Problem Solving
The competency-based model at WGU allows you to move as quickly as you can master the material, and do your coursework on your schedule. Flexibility is key with the B.S. in finance at WGU.
Business
Business Management – B.S. Business Administration
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:...
Hone your business acumen and garner added respect:
- Time: 61% of graduates finish within 19 months
- Tuition: $3,755 per 6-month term
- Courses: 40 total courses in this program
Skills for your résumé this program will teach you include:
- Business communication
- Product development
- Decision making models
- Project management strategies
- Budgeting for business
This online degree program is an excellent choice for kick-starting your organizational management career.
Business
Leadership Certificate – School of Business
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the...
Enhance your résumé and take a step in your educational journey with the help of a leadership certificate from the School of Business.
- Time: 4 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $2,250 for the certificate.
- Courses: 3 courses total in this program.
This program is for emerging leaders, however this program does not require a bachelor’s degree, and provides transferable credit towards a WGU degree program.
Whether you aspire to work for a Fortune 500 organization, a government agency, a non-profit organization, or a fast-paced start-up, this certificate can give you the keys to success in a variety of industries, including:
- Finance and Banking
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Consulting
- Nonprofit
- Government
Business
Supply Chain Certificate – School of Business
Boost your résumé and gain valuable experience with a supply chain...
Boost your résumé and gain valuable experience with a supply chain certificate from the School of Business.
- Time: 6 months from start to finish.
- Cost: $2,500 for the certificate.
- Courses: 4 courses total in this program.
This program is designed for individuals who are ready to take their supply chain experience to the next level and become a front-line leader in their organization.
Whether you want to advance your career in this field, or you're just getting started, a supply chain certificate can help you be ready for your next career step. You'll be prepared to work in a variety of industries including:
- Startups
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- IT
- Retail
- E-Commerce
How Much Does a Distribution Manager Make?
$79,417
According to 2023 Glassdoor estimates, distribution managers with at one to three years of relevant work experience earn an average salary of $79,417 per year in the U.S. Professionals on the lower end of the salary spectrum earn an average of $71,650 a year, while the top 10% of earners make approximately $103,000 annually.
What Is the Projected Job Growth?
50%
Professionals in this role can expect a bright career outlook. Distribution manager job vacancies have increased by 50% in the U.S., or an average growth rate of 3% per year.
Distribution managers also have opportunities to explore similar professions that they may move into, either within or outside their industry, such as:
- Warehouse manager
- Logistics manager
- Transportation manager
- Distribution center manager
- Fleet manager
- Logistics operations manager
However, as companies continue to put emphasis on getting products to their markets on time and at a low cost in the competitive retail field, the demand for distribution managers will continue to rise, with an expected 12,090 new jobs created by 2032
SKILLS
What Skills Does a Distribution Manager Need?
There’s more to distribution management beyond simply being responsible for getting products into the hands of consumers. These professionals are product experts who understand logistics and always double-check that the columns on a balance sheet add up.
To be successful in this role, professionals should also have a combination of hard and soft skills that emphasize their leadership and organizational abilities. Some of these may include:
- Interpersonal skills
- Logical reasoning
- Data analysis
- Creative problem-solving
- Time-management and the ability to prioritize tasks
- Planning and the agility to handle unexpected changes
- Expert understanding of the supply chain process
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