Main Responsibilities and Required Skills for Distribution Manager
A Distribution Manager is a professional responsible for managing the distribution of goods or products from a company to customers or stores. They plan and execute delivery schedules, manage warehouses and transportation, and oversee distribution operations. In this blog post we describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Distribution Managers.
Get market insights and compare skills for other jobs here.
Main Responsibilities of Distribution Manager
The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Distribution Manager:
Achieve
Achieve DOH target as planned and keep the inventory to its optimum level.
Achieve plant goals for inventory accuracy and position tracking.
Adhere to
Adhere to moral and ethical principles.
Advise
Advise customers of issues and provide solutions.
Analyze
Analyze key delivery metrics and continuously strive to meet KPI's.
Anticipate
Anticipate staffing needs.
Apply
Apply creative approaches to addressing needs to achieve win-win solutions.
Arrange
Arrange training for staff.
Assign
Assign duties and examine work for exactness, neatness, and conformance to policies and procedures.
Assign the proper equipment for the jurisdiction and the job requirements.
Assist in
Assist in conducting physical inventories and cycle counts as required.
Assist in the development of related policy and procedures.
Build
Build and deliver budgets agreed in collaboration with Finance, including outside storage.
Carry out
Carry out responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws.
Challenge
Challenge and improve processes as appropriate.
Coach
Coach and develop associates to meet organizational and personal goals.
Collaborate with
Collaborate with business unit and marketing team on campaign development and management.
Collaborate with co-workers to achieve work group and company goals.
Communicate
Communicate and provide detailed reports / explanations to the VP Distribution.
Communicate effectively across all departments to ensure operations flow smoothly.
Communicate with other management concerning departmental and plant issues.
Complete
Complete annual program evaluations.
Complete any investigations as necessary.
Complete required documentation.
Conduct
Conduct investigations of shipments, claims, inventory discrepancies, and product set-up issues.
Conduct performance reviews.
Contribute
Contribute to Strategic Plans and AOP submissions and Division leadership initiatives.
Control
Control inventory levels by conducting cycle counts.
Cooperate
Cooperate with local management for all initiatives implementation in the country.
Coordinate
Coordinate the disposal and destruction of expired or rejected materials.
Coordinate the marketing and communication materials for the program, as required.
Coordinate with ADD and Corporate Finance on financial reporting required.
Create
Create and communicate achievable benchmarks for efficiency, accuracy and productivity.
Create and implemen a donor satisfaction check.
Create and maintains departmental reports and track Key KPI as required.
Create and manage an optimal distribution network to meet new strategic demands of the business.
Create and monitor compliance to operating standards.
Define
Define and execute all Pathway Programs, Communication and Measurement - cross all Business Units.
Define team KPIs and how to meet them.
Determine
Determine and execute capital expenditure needs.
Determine and execute Capital Expenditure needs.
Determine facility scheduling, staffing, and capital requirements.
Determine strategic planning related to new product lines.
Determine work procedures, prepares work schedules, and expedites workflow.
Develop
Develop a local supplier / vendor base to ensure flexibility in service offerings.
Develop and enhance training materials related to GDP as needed.
Develop and monitor metrics to ensure distributors meet contractual obligations.
Develop a simple and clear attribution model and KPI framework for lead generation.
Develop cost reduction initiatives while maintaining productivity and quality.
Develop distribution budgets and manage expenses within the budgets.
Develop optimal scheduling and routing systems for distribution drivers.
Develop procedures to ensure the efficient operation and utilization of office equipment.
Develop strategic relationships with key distributors at the upper and regional manager level.
Direct
Direct operations assuring the expedient flow of product in / out of the distribution center.
Enhance
Enhance brand distinctiveness by managing online portfolio, activity and campaign.
Ensure
Ensure adequate pricing lists (e.g., PPFI).
Ensure all employees have proper safety equipment and training to perform their job duties safely.
Ensure all orders are dispatched to customers in a timely manner in adherence to delivery schedules.
Ensure any spills, contaminations or damages are quickly resolved to the customer's satisfaction.
Ensure applicable SOP of Abbott executed.
Ensure associates have the tools and training necessary to do the job.
Ensure collaboration between the different ecosystem players.
Ensure compliance of all health and safety regulations and policies.
Ensure compliance to all customer and regulatory programs, procedures and requirements.
Ensure delivery of customer service targets in line with business strategy.
Ensure driver is qualified and trained to perform duties.
Ensure equipment maintenance is performed according to schedule.
Ensure good work attitudes, atmosphere and communication to maximize productivity.
Ensure Health & Safety, Food Safety is a key focus, while promoting Saputo's Culture and values.
Ensure ongoing Reporting & Transparency.
Ensure storage and inventory control are performed in an efficient manner.
Ensure that company transport vehicles are maintained in good working conditions.
Ensure that customer orders, return goods and incoming goods are processed prior to BPCS closing.
Ensure the Company meets all customer requirements in terms of trucks and drivers.
Ensure the drivers have the proper training and equipment to perform their duties safely.
Ensure the look of the equipment is consistent with Irving Values and image.
Establish
Establish and monitor inventory and warehouse performance measures.
Evaluate
Evaluate employee performance.
Evaluate management tools and search for, organize, or develop new tools.
Evaluate the supervisor's performance.
Follow
Follow and enforce company policies and procedures.
Follow up
Follow up with customer / customer service.
Generate
Generate and post reports as requested.
Grow
Grow distribution network through new partnerships you initiate.
Identify
Identify additional retail opportunities.
Identify, investigate, and resolve issues that may arise between distribution partners.
Identify resources, perform workload assignments and provide assistances when required.
Implement
Implement new processes and methods to increase productivity.
Implement training programs for new and existing drivers.
Implement vendor agreements with third party distribution centers as per OPS policy.
Inbound
Inbound and / or Outbound, Receiving and / or Shipping, inventory, pick-pack, ship, line-haul, LTL.
Initiate
Initiate continuous improvement projects and identify warehouse enabler opportunities.
Initiate proactive actions in support of the broader assigned BU strategy.
Input
Input into our validation process providing a perspective on platform support and sales potential.
Keep
Keep the studio updated on the latest industry trends, platform sales, data and insights.
Lead
Lead a group or team of support, craft, or lower level professional associates.
Lead and assist with Logistics related continuous improvement projects.
Lead and support the development of Logistics strategy.
Leverage
Leverage relationships in opportunity identification and transaction execution.
Liaise with
Liaise with the Business and Development departments to achieve mutual goals.
Locate
Locate product to the appropriate areas according to procedure.
Maintain
Maintain adequate shipping and packaging supplies, placing orders as needed.
Maintain all driver records as well as records regarding vehicle servicing and inspection.
Maintain and manage product inventory.
Maintain current inventory for all products received, stored, and distributed.
Maintain good and regular commercial relationship with customer.
Maintain record-keeping systems for all incoming and outgoing food donations.
Maintain warehouse staff job results by coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees.
Make
Make recommendations for improvement or updates as required.
Make recommendations to senior management to improve distribution operations.
Make 5 sales calls per week to potential Distribution Services clients and record them into CRM.
Manage
Manage 3rd Party contract partnerships.
Manage all warehouse and distribution contracts with focus on contingencies, risk and mitigation.
Manage and maintain a productive, high performing team.
Manage and maintain compliance for distribution of our products.
Manage current distribution partners.
Manage customer annual plan and forecasts, to ensure overall business target delivery.
Manage distribution expenses and implement efficiencies to reduce overall spend.
Manage distribution product for the branch.
Manage distributor accountability.
Manage employee performance and provides feedback.
Manage incidents through site safe.
Manage Ministry of Transportation audits and maintain a state of readiness.
Manage the implementation and on-boarding of new business and vendors.
Manage the physical aspects of the DCs as well as the assets and inventory.
Measure
Measure actual performance against goals on regular basis and present results to senior management.
Measure these benchmarks against established objectives and internal KPI's.
Monitor
Monitor daily department productivity targets.
Monitor deal performance and track efficacy relative to expectations post-close.
Monitor labor, repair parts and supply costs so as to meet budgets.
Monitor team performances and provide feedback for improvements.
Negotiate
Negotiate with suppliers to manage regular equipment and facilities maintenance costs.
Optimize
Optimize routes, rates, and smooth loading schedule.
Order
Order designs for print-work and labels for new boxes and restocks.
Oversee
Oversee daily orders and improve plans to ensure timely deliveries.
Oversee Distribution Centre's day-to-day activities and operations.
Oversee international shipments.
Oversee operations of 3rd Party warehouse and transportation and conduct monthly.
Oversee pricing of freight, leases, shipping materials and supplies.
Oversee the development and execution of and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures.
Own
Own customer POs and follow through to delivery.
Participate
Participate in teams, committees, events and training which improves the organization.
Perform
Perform cost negotiations with vendors and provide appropriate solutions for bulk distributions.
Plan
Plan and organize shipment schedules.
Plan and schedule deliveries to meet customer needs.
Prepare
Prepare a written contingency plan for any event of catastrophic failure.
Prepare, direct, and coordinate reports and information.
Prepare for Audits, Compliances & SOX, etc.
Present
Present product and attract potential customer attention.
Process
Process monthly chargeback requests through DHQ / RAC.
Promote
Promote and manage change and improvement.
Promote, support and adhere to all safety, environmental and quality related policies and procedures.
Provide
Provide cover when the Commercial Info Exec is on annual leave.
Provide daily supervision of assigned drivers to ensure consistent performance of duties.
Provide emergency support as needed after hours.
Provide leadership, coaching and ongoing progress improvement to all associates?.
Provide leadership to Operations Managers, Customer Service and Loan Set Operations team.
Provide monthly visibility of cost drivers to the department, as well as opportunities.
Provide ongoing training, feedback and coaching.
Provide regular coaching and feedback to team members.
Provide regular, simple producer specific updates for internal stakeholders.
Publish
Publish and communicate operational and financial reports.
Purchase
Purchase option of company stocks.
Recruit
Recruit, onboard, maintain the driver team to meet organizational objectives.
Recruit, organize, train and manage staff.
Recruit, train and manage the performance of all drivers in region.
Represent
Represent Distribution Center for internal and external audits.
Resolve
Resolve any customer delivery issues that are related to the delivery itself.
Resolve conflict, problems, and issues that develop in the departments.
Resolve problems, provide ongoing support and be proactive with services.
Resolve Shipping / Carrier issues.
Review
Review and make recommendations during the annual preparation of the company budget.
Review monthly ministry unit participation in the Program to assess chargeback rates.
Review records / reports for accuracy of information and compliance with established procedures.
Run
Run reports, routes, take care of store transfers & manager building manifests?.
Set
Set continuous improvement goals.
Set goals and objectives to meet corporate strategic goals.
Stay abreast of
Stay abreast of inventory positions and communicate shifts.
Support
Support audits of contractors executed according to Alexion external audit program.
Support cultivation of a sales culture throughout business unit.
Support key initiatives across business functions to drive improvements and mitigate risk.
Take
Take appropriate actions to address issues as and when they arise.
Take is conducted based on existing local procedures with minimal inventory variances.
Take timely action to improve performance.
Track
Track all incidents and accidents and complete appropriate paperwork as required.
Track, measure and drive marketing ROI.
Travel
Travel to meet potential partners as needed, attend trade shows and events.
Use
Use the EDMS system at full and be able to demonstrate Expo.
Utilize
Utilize and manage traffic boards to be aware of location or rental equipment at centers and dealers.
Work with
Work on department budget and accounting.
Work together with Product and Finance to forecasts performance for new and legacy titles.
Work with all levels of management, peers, subordinates, carriers, vendors, and sales.
Work with internal cross-functional and cross-region stakeholders to deliver against target.
Work with Sales in preparing RFP's and designing customer solutions.
Work with the Light Shipping & Receiving Supervisor to forecast and arrange incoming food.
Work with the marketing department to understand and communicate marketing messages to the field.
Work with VP Distribution and accounting on operating budgets and standards.
Work with warehouse and transportation staffs to ensure timely and accurate deliveries.
Most In-demand Hard Skills
The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Distribution Manager:
Distribution
Business
Management
MS Outlook
Most In-demand Soft Skills
The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Distribution Manager:
Written and oral communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Organizational capacity
Problem-solving attitude
Analytical ability
Leadership
Flexible
Planning
Team player
Adaptable to changes
Multi-task
Time-management
Attention to detail
Organized
