Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Distribution Supervisor
A Distribution Supervisor is responsible for managing all aspects of inventory control. They plan, organize and oversee operational logistics and recommend inventory adjustments. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Distribution Supervisors.
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Main Responsibilities of Distribution Supervisor
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Distribution Supervisor:
Act
Act in accordance with the organization's operational expectations.
Adhere to
Adhere to moral and ethical principles.
Administer
Administer corrective / disciplinary actions as appropriate.
Advise
Advise employees on care and preservation of items received, stored, and shipped.
Analyze
Analyze and explain the costs associated with routes under your responsibility.
Analyze data and recommend remedial actions for reported non-usable, slow moving, and excess stock.
Analyze key processes, metrics and identify and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
Arrange
Arrange for maintenance and repair work.
Arrange training for staff.
Assess
Assess and create development plans for training to increase team capability.
Assess skills, identify training needs, and conduct employee training.
Assign
Assign and train special project tasks to staff as required.
Assign duties and examines work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
Assist in
Assist employees in the creation of development plans.
Assist in the preparation of the financial plan.
Assist Manager in development and management of warehouse budget.
Assist staff in their career development.
Assure
Assure active cross training of staff is ongoing and complete.
Assure the Distribution Center is starting and closing safely and productively for daily business.
Coach
Coach and develop associates to meet organizational and personal goals.
Coach and motivates team members to optimize team effectiveness.
Coach directs and counsel s drivers on overall performance via driver surveys & customer surveys.
Collect
Collect, record and interpret statistical information for reporting purposes.
Communicate
Communicate about changes to ensure buy-in to the change.
Communicate work center / department objectives and results.
Complete
Complete disciplinary actions as required for staff.
Complete paperwork such as route manifests, invoices, special customer notifications, and maps.
Complete payroll tasks as required.
Conduct
Conduct and / or participate in cycle counting and inventory events.
Conduct individual discussions with employees.
Conduct monthly safety training / meetings are conducted, per SGWS Safety Policy.
Conduct periodic or special inventory audits and reconciles physical counts.
Confirm
Confirm equipment condition and readiness via the Transportation shop.
Confirm the most efficient and economical routing and mode of transportation.
Contribute to
Contribute to and encourage an open exchange of ideas and opinions.
Coordinate
Coordinate activities with other work units or departments.
Coordinate and Integrate efforts across operational departments to enhance inventory accuracy.
Coordinate, assign and review work.
Coordinate clearance of import / export shipments with customs brokers in China.
Create
Create a climate of trust and respect within the group.
Create a culture around safety and actively identifies best practices.
Create and maintain schedules and job assignments.
Create and make presentations.
Create, update and train to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as required.
Delegate
Delegate authority as appropriate.
Deliver
Deliver rewards and sanctions.
Determine
Determine method of shipment, utilizing knowledge of shipping procedures, routes, and rates.
Develop
Develop an alternative courses of action within decision-making guidelines.
Develop and enable continuous improvement among team members.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships across the company.
Develop packaging that meets UN recommendations and testing requirements.
Develop relationships built on trust and open communication.
Direct
Direct both salary and hourly personnel.
Direct daily activities of staff to ensure accurate and timely order picking and shipping.
Direct liaison between the department manager and all other department staff.
Direct or indirect labor staff.
Drive
Drive action to ensure inventory accuracy.
Drive employee engagement and resolve grievances.
Enhance
Enhance awareness of conditions affecting the safety of self and others.
Ensure
Ensure adherence to delivery standards, efficiencies and regulatory requirements.
Ensure adherence to proper operational and safety procedures.
Ensure all client Dump Log Reporting from the previous days' production is sent to client.
Ensure all corporate policies, procedures and guidelines are applied fairly and consistently.
Ensure all drives have all required DOT / CMV certifications.
Ensure all forklift safety best practices are followed and enforced.
Ensure all previous day's open inbound and outbound orders in Pack Manager are closed.
Ensure all proof of activity is provided to clients for all previous day's inbound activity.
Ensure applicable SOP of Abbott executed.
Ensure assigned staff complies with FDA, OSHA, Corporate and warehouse policies.
Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, housekeeping and rosters.
Ensure direction and execution on distribution initiatives.
Ensure direct reports receive the appropriate Health and Safety training.
Ensure effective and efficient flow of products and distributions activities.
Ensure employee access to necessary tools, and the routine inspection and care of tools.
Ensure established volumes of production are met or surpassed daily.
Ensure every team member is following safe work practices and adhering to proper procedures.
Ensure safety and housekeeping duties are followed in assigned areas.
Ensure shipping operators properly complete forms and notifications for incidents.
Ensure that all distribution activity is executed in a safe, compliant and timely manner.
Ensure that all Quality Control and Industrial Safety Standards are communicated to all employees.
Ensure that department and warehouse procedures add value for customers and reduce unnecessary costs.
Ensure that staff is properly trained and that sufficient backup is in place for all critical tasks.
Ensure that the fleet is maintained properly, including all maintenance and safety-related issues.
Ensure that work areas are neat, orderly and present a professional image.
Ensure that work is processed in a timely and accurate manner.
Ensure the accuracy of inventory and shipments.
Ensure your work force is trained to meet the work demands of the distribution center.
Establish
Establish and maintain positive customer relationships, resolving customer issues.
Establish the motivational climate for the group.
Establish work schedules and procedures.
Evaluate
Evaluate and plan for staffing needs.
Evaluate, develop, and implement processes and procedures.
Execute
Execute changes effectively, following clear plans and processes.
Execute on plans to drive business outcomes.
Explain
Explain the reasons for change and communicates the change plan.
Facilitate
Facilitate off day and emergency order requests.
Facilitate problem solving and mediates conflict to arrive at timely resolutions or solutions.
Facilitate weekly / monthly meetings, KBP, AOS etc..
Fill
Fill routes based on Driver availability.
Follow
Follow all prescribed safety regulations.
Foster
Foster a culture around safety.
Foster Collaboration and Teamwork.
Gather
Gather financial and other data to support the plan.
Hire
Hire and retain a diverse, highly qualified staff and provides ongoing performance feedback.
Hire and train staff as required.
Identify
Identify and act to address performance gaps and to reward contributions.
Identify appropriate meeting participants and uses meetings effectively.
Identify and document safety issues and enforce policies.
Insure
Insure that plans are implemented, and milestones are achieved.
Interact with
Interact with peers in operations and within other cross-functional groups.
Lead
Lead and coach a team of warehouse operators, making sure to conduct regular crew meetings.
Lead and inspires his / her team of associates to ensure daily tasks are executed effectively.
Lead in the training of employees.
Lead shift meetings 1-2 times per month, will require working on other shifts as needed.
Lead the inventory accuracy initiative for this facility.
Lead with Integrity and Respect.
Log
Log receipt of items on system, processes freight bills, packing sheets, and other documents.
Maintain
Maintain accurate operational and inventory reports as required / requested by the management team.
Maintain a culture of inclusion so everyone can succeed.
Maintain a degree of separation to remain objective and impartial in performance reviews.
Maintain and audit weekly payroll entries for warehouse workers.
Maintain appropriate levels of warehouse supplies.
Maintain a safe and professional work environment.
Maintain harmony among workers and resolves grievances.
Maintain Kronos system and point system for employee occurrences per the union contract.
Maintain positive contact with customers.
Maintain positive contact with vendors, contractors, transportation suppliers and etc.
Maintain PTO schedule for staff assuring coverage in all areas.
Maintain space, equipment, and supplies.
Maintain statistical information on employees, productivity, attendance, and accuracy.
Make
Make adjustments to inventory depending on findings.
Manage
Manage all aspects of inventory control.
Manage and lead a large group of employees.
Manage assigned projects.
Manage drivers' delivery schedule and hours worked.
Manage emergency distribution needs personally or through staff.
Manage people, processes, and resources to meet the strategic priorities.
Manage, lead, and coordinates warehouse associates to deliver extraordinary results.
Manage the relationships between different departments and stakeholders.
Manage within labor and OPEX budget.
Manage workflows efficiently.
Monitor
Monitor 3PL Service level and in compliance with QMS and Abbott SOP.
Monitor the results of delegated tasks and projects.
Motivate
Motivate and encourage participation, growth, and learning from all team members.
Participate in
Participate in developing business cases for new initiatives in the Capital Planning process.
Participate in the development of SAP, and provide training, supervision, and control of the system.
Participate in the recruitment and hiring of all drivers.
Participate in the weekly Saturday rotation for all distribution activity in Ontario.
Participate in training, inspection, investigation and continuous improvement programs.
Perform
Perform a combination of manual and clerical shipping and receiving duties.
Perform other related functions and responsibilities assigned by supervisor.
Perform performance tracking / reporting / analysis (KPI, cost control, analysis of discrepancy).
Plan
Plan assignments to team members and allocate resources.
Plan efficient delivery routes.
Plan layout of stockroom, warehouse, and other storage areas, considering turnover, size, and weight.
Plan, organize and oversee operational logistics of the company.
Prepare
Prepare and track work orders.
Promote
Promote safety in the workplace and ensures team members contribute to a safe work environment.
Provide
Provide clear, consistent, timely, respectful communications.
Provide direct supervision to professional.
Provide input to Managers regarding Driver performance.
Provide leadership and coaching within the distribution department.
Provide leadership, coaching and ongoing progress improvement to all associates.
Provide ongoing feedback and coaching.
Provide overall direction and coordination of shipping activities of the Distribution Center.
Provide superior service levels while maintaining required order quality.
Provide technical expertise and guidance.
Provide trainings to team members to enhance quality of work.
Recommend
Recommend merit increases and promotions.
Reduce
Reduce costs; and maintain operations.
Report
Report findings and presents recommendations for improvement.
Report materials shipped and bills of lading.
Resolve
Resolve all system and procedural issues relative to stock-outs, shortages & missed orders.
Resolve work related problems.
Schedule
Schedule distribution of goods.
Seek
Seek assistance of others in determining courses of action.
Seek opportunities for and delivers continuous improvement.
Seek to understand the changing needs of the industry.
Set
Set goals and objectives for staff and work through them by delegation.
Set challenging goals to continuously elevate performance.
Set standards and monitors staff performance.
Setup
Setup daily tractor trailer assignments for Drivers.
Setup necessary processes to full local regulations including local labelling and IFU.
Supervise
Supervise and provide daily work instruction as needed to staff of direct reports.
Supervise the accurate shipping / receiving / reconciling of finished product inventories.
Support
Support third party carriers with billing concerns and route quantities analysis.
Support shift leads in their DDS meetings to help create / drive culture and performance.
Take
Take necessary action to assure repairs are made.
Train
Train all transportation employees on SGWS policies.
Train and coach new team members to help build a high performance work culture.
Train staff in the use of third party software system.
Train team members on safe and efficient job duties.
Train workers in duties and policies.
Train workers in job duties, safety procedures and company policies.
Understand
Understand detailed area operations (function specific).
Understand finances to ensure limited resources are used wisely.
Understand housekeeping and environmental needs.
Use
Use computer system for tracking, logging, verifying and reporting.
Utilize
Utilize quality and performance metrics to ensure regulatory compliance.
Verify
Verify and recommend inventory adjustments as required.
Verify finished product receipts for accuracy and advise QA if dates need to be adjusted.
Work
Work closely in supporting other supervisors and overall delivery operations.
Work cross functionally as required.
Work cross functionally to identify changes and necessary resources.
Work in any other department when required.
Work on a flexible schedule - 7 day operations where days off might not be on the weekend.
Work with employees to meet their development needs.
Write
Write and conduct appraisals for employees.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Distribution Supervisor:
Distribution Environment
Leadership / Management
MS Office Applications
Numerical Sense
Relevant H&S Legislation
Retail Environment
MS Outlook
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Distribution Supervisor:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Leadership
Analytical ability
Positive
Team based environment
Think quickly and fluidly with numbers
Organizational capacity
Attention to detail
Mentor
Sense of urgency
Team building
