A Distribution Center Supervisor is a professional who plays a critical role in overseeing and managing the operations of a distribution center. They are responsible for coordinating and supervising various activities to ensure the efficient and effective movement of goods within the facility. In this blog post, we will delve into the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Distribution Center Supervisors.

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Main Responsibilities of a Distribution Center Supervisor

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Distribution Center Supervisor:

Achieve

• Achieve continual process improvement.

• Achieve Key Performance Indicators.

Adhere to

Adhere to proper work methods and safety & union standards.

Administer

• Administer corrective action to team members when appropriate.

• Administer vendor bidding, purchase requisition, purchase order submission and follow-up.

Analyze

• Analyze and investigate operational procedures.

• Analyze data and generate reports to support decision-making processes.

Assign

• Assign and audit the work of warehouse staff.

• Assign tasks as required to the warehouse associates.

Assist in

Assist in the annual budget planning process and regularly monitors expenditures.

Authorize

Authorize and shepherds credits to dealer accounts.

Close out

Close out the shipping systems.

Collaborate with

Collaborate with other departments to streamline processes and improve overall performance.

Communicate

• Communicate any special circumstances that are pertinent to the business.

• Communicate monthly reports to key stakeholders.

• Communicate relevant issues internally, externally and with cross functional customers.

• Communicate shortages to facilitate the closing and shipping of orders.

• Communicate the status of backorders.

Conduct

• Conduct inventory cycle count periodically.

• Conduct performance appraisals and monitors progress of associates.

• Conduct performance evaluations and provide feedback to team members.

• Conduct periodic or special inventory audits and reconciles physical counts.

• Conduct regular career development and performance conversations.

• Conduct regularly scheduled team meetings.

Control

Control transportation costs while providing optimal service to internal and external customers.

Coordinate

• Coordinate all international shipments.

• Coordinate dealer return program.

• Coordinate international inbound shipments.

• Coordinate off-site parts and accessories storage.

• Coordinate staffing levels to support workload fluctuations.

• Coordinate stock checks and reporting, including inventory transactions and adjustments.

• Coordinate with transportation providers to ensure timely delivery of goods.

Create

• Create and maintain schedules and job assignments.

• Create, track and trend KPIs.

Develop

• Develop and implement operational strategies to optimize productivity and efficiency.

• Develop and implement process improvements to reduce shipping damage and improve efficiency.

• Develop and implement training programs to enhance employee skills and knowledge.

• Develop and maintain relationships with suppliers and vendors.

• Develop and motivate employees to achieve goals.

• Develop daily and weekly workplans and workflow.

• Develop new effective work methods.

Discover

Discover Different also means that we embrace each other's differences and unique perspectives.

Document

Document notable items, both positive and negative, and places in personnel file.

Drive

Drive positive change in the world while working with the best and brightest.

Eliminate

Eliminate non-value-added activities and inefficiencies.

Enforce

Enforce proper procedures for logging, storing, loading, or unloading of incoming inventory.

Ensure

• Ensure accuracy and completeness of inventory records and conduct regular audits.

• Ensure adherence to proper operational and safety procedures.

• Ensure all associates on the shift work in an organized, efficient, productive, and safe manner.

• Ensure all Health and safety guidelines are enforced and concerns resolved.

• Ensure all safety rules are followed.

• Ensure Canadian shipments have correct paperwork and NAFTA's are up to date.

• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements related to distribution operations.

• Ensure constant improvement by reviewing practices, methods and processes.

• Ensure DC provides timely pre-note tenders to carriers.

• Ensure exceptions are responded to as per escalation procedure.

• Ensure facility is safe, clean, and secure at all times.

• Ensure good management of stock destruction and non-stock items.

• Ensure housekeeping standards and equipment maintenance.

• Ensure on-time deliveries of subcontractor requests and inter-site transfers.

• Ensure pick / packers are following proper procedures and other acceptable best practices.

• Ensure that all cycle count activity is executed on schedule.

• Ensure that all Hazmat materials are in stock and available for international shipments.

• Ensure that area meets all requirements for Safety and Housekeeping.

• Ensure that department and warehouse procedures add value for customers and reduce unnecessary costs.

• Ensure that primary carriers are used as per routing guides and monitor freight spend.

• Ensure that proper equipment, manuals, and accessories are shipped with correct order.

• Ensure that quality and service are at a high level.

• Ensure that staff members are following work procedures correctly, and performing at a high level.

• Ensure the accuracy of the inventory (internal and external) , cyclical counts and returns.

• Ensure the day's priority shipments are completed and loaded on the UPS trailer.

• Ensure the implementation of the requirements related to the operational and corporate rules.

• Ensure the proper functioning of all equipment.

• Ensure they are shipped as soon as possible.

• Ensure work areas are safe, and employees are following proper work procedures and protocols.

Establish

Establish targets and motivate Associates to achieve the FC goals.

Facilitate

Facilitate cross-functional communications with all key stakeholders.

Follow-up

Follow-up with purchasing to resolve any damaged freight issues.

Foster

• Foster and reinforce a positive, collaborative environment that respects and values diversity.

• Foster a positive work culture that promotes teamwork and employee engagement.

Hire

Hire staff and obtain required approvals.

Identify

• Identify and resolve operational bottlenecks and constraints.

• Identify areas for process improvement and implement solutions.

• Identify critical distribution issues and reports them to the appropriate business partners.

• Identify, documents, and implement opportunities for continuous improvement.

Implement

• Implement and maintain appropriate inventory control systems.

• Implement measures to minimize waste and optimize resource utilization.

• Implement quality control measures to maintain product integrity.

Improve

Improve performance verses prior year and plan objectives.

Inspect

Inspect loading and unloading operations to ensure compliance with shipping specifications.

Investigate

• Investigate and resolve discrepancies.

• Investigate problems, finds root causes and helps develop solutions.

Lead

Lead and participate in continuous improvement initiatives.

Maintain

• Maintain a clean and organized distribution center environment.

• Maintain a commitment to excellence and high standards.

• Maintain a safe and clean working environment for all associates and visitors.

• Maintain a working knowledge of all operating systems pertaining to the work area.

• Maintain data base of all pricing.

• Maintain good working relationships with other departments in different sites.

• Maintain harmony among workers and resolve grievances.

• Maintain lines of communication between associates and management.

• Maintain safety and housekeeping standards in shipping area.

• Maintain space, equipment, and supplies.

• Maintain time and attendance data within the company time keeping system.

Make

• Make recommendations on any opportunities to improve.

• Make recommendations to leadership regarding carrier performance.

• Make sure all priorities and other orders are processed for the day.

Manage

• Manage all outbound shipments where PDI pays freight to ensure lowest possible cost.

• Manage and coordinate daily distribution center operations.

• Manage and direct Pick / Pack Team t.

• Manage carriers to ensure optimal operational execution.

• Manage daily operations to maximize productivity and meet daily operational goals.

• Manage day to day activity within department, including planning, flow, and resource allocation.

• Manage inventory, transfers, and product rotation.

• Manage outbound shipments where PDI pays freight.

• Manage staff performance (attendance and punctuality) including disciplinary management.

• Manage Transportation / Distribution Coordinator.

Meet

• Meet budget objectives and recommend appropriate actions.

• Meet or exceed volume and department productivity goals.

Monitor

• Monitor and enforce compliance with safety regulations and procedures.

• Monitor and manage distribution center expenses and budget.

• Monitor and report key performance indicators (KPIs) to management.

• Monitor and track labor productivity and key performance indicators.

• Monitor operational carrier performance.

• Monitor performance of replenishment team with regard to established processes.

Motivate

• Motivate and manage a team of employees.

• Motivate staff and encourage growth of our team members.

• Motivate team to get the job done with teamwork and cooperation.

Obtain

Obtain rate quotes and makes arrangements for expediting shipments.

Operate

Operate and demonstrate proper use scanner guns to detect errors in inbound shipments.

Oversee

• Oversee and implement company guidelines to create and maintain a safe working environment.

• Oversee the receiving, storing, and shipping of products to meet customer demands.

Participate in

• Participate in audits as a distribution expert.

• Participate in the hiring and onboarding process for distribution center staff.

Perform

• Perform end of shift building shut down procedures.

• Perform shift meetings daily providing essential business requirements to the shift.

Plan

• Plan and allocate resources effectively to meet production goals.

• Plan the work organization to ensure the smooth running of the team.

Prepare

• Prepare and deliver packaging, manufacturing and QC requests.

• Prepare and provide all required reporting.

Process

Process orders with requested ship date as the priority.

Promote

• Promote safety leadership by protecting the health and welfare of the Company's associates.

• Promote teamwork and works effectively within diversified teams.

Provide

• Provide and document team safety topic training when required.

• Provide direction to the pick / packers as needed.

• Provide end of shift report.

• Provide training, coaching, and corrective action as needed.

Reach

Reach with hands and arms.

Receive

Receive and accurately note all discrepancies on inbound freight.

Recommend

Recommend, implements, and administers methods and procedures to enhance operation.

Resolve

Resolve any issues or conflicts that arise during operations.

Seek out

Seek out feedback from other stakeholders to improve their operations and drives value.

Stay updated with

• Stay informed about market demands and adjust operations accordingly.

• Stay updated with industry trends and advancements in distribution center operations.

Study

Study and standardize procedures to improve the efficiency of subordinates.

Supervise

• Supervise accounting processing, bill submission and follow-up, record storage and retention.

• Supervise and assists with all receiving transactions and paperwork.

• Supervise and assists with the inspections of all incoming freight for damage.

• Supervise and assists with the preparation of shipping and receiving documentation.

• Supervise and assists with the scheduling of daily transportation.

• Supervise and manage daily work of department teammates.

• Supervise and train distribution center staff on proper procedures and best practices.

• Supervise and assist with maintaining material inventory levels.

• Supervise and assist with responses to requests for tracing of missing shipments.

• Supervise and Audit shipments prior to packing to ensure that goods match order.

• Supervise and audit shipments prior to packing to ensure that goods match order.

• Supervise clerical and administrative functions.

• Supervise daily floor performance and create a positive and engaged team environment.

• Supervise operations to ensure orders are picked up properly.

• Supervise the performance of daily cycle counts.

• Supervise the scheduling of daily transportation.

• Supervise the work of his team.

• Supervise the work of warehouse employees.

• Supervise up to 50 associates.

Support

• Support and promote the Fullscript Core Values.

• Support the Distribution Excellence Manager to ensure that daily targets and objectives are met.

• Support your employees in problem solving.

Take

Take active role in the new-hire / onboarding / training process.

Track

Track access to networks in your area.

Train

• Train, motivate, monitor and coach team members to succeed.

• Train warehouse personnel regarding proper procedures to complete bills of lading.

Update

Update US Customs Liquidation Notices spread sheet.

Utilize

• Utilize recognition and performance management to reinforce and affect behavior.

• Utilize WCS to eliminate non-value-added activities and inefficiencies.

Validate

Validate time data entries in the payroll software.

Verify

• Verify customer orders are packaged neatly and consistently by all pick / packers.

• Verify orders are shipped with correct products and quantities, including all tinting.

Work with

• Work cohesively with other department Leadership members to ensure all objectives are met.

• Work with the DC Manager to maintain appropriate staffing levels.

• Work with the FCM to make improvements where appropriate and execute the changes.

Write

Write and administer annual Associate performance evaluations.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Distribution Center Supervisor:

1. Inventory management

2. Supply chain management

3. Warehouse operations

4. Quality control and assurance

5. Logistics and transportation management

6. Data analysis and reporting

7. Safety and compliance regulations

8. Process improvement methodologies (e.g., Lean, Six Sigma)

9. Enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems

10. Technical proficiency in warehouse management software

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Distribution Center Supervisor:

1. Leadership and team management

2. Communication and interpersonal skills

3. Problem-solving and decision-making abilities

4. Adaptability and flexibility

5. Time management and organizational skills

6. Conflict resolution and negotiation

7. Attention to detail and accuracy

8. Analytical thinking and problem-solving

9. Customer service orientation

10. Collaboration and teamwork

Conclusion

The role of a Distribution Center Supervisor encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from managing operations and resources to ensuring compliance and driving efficiency. Successful Distribution Center Supervisors possess a combination of hard skills related to inventory management, logistics, and data analysis, along with essential soft skills such as leadership, communication, and problem-solving. By excelling in these responsibilities and possessing the necessary skills, Distribution Center Supervisors can contribute to the smooth functioning of distribution centers, optimize productivity, and meet customer demands effectively.