Chris has a deep-rooted knowledge of the inner workings of the warehouse, but also of the business overall. These extra skills are part of what makes a good warehouse manager, according to the owner Sarah Baldwin. Sarah insists he knows the assortment as well as she does. This is a hard quality to measure for in the hiring process, so ask a candidate detailed questions about the company they currently work for.
The more they know, the more likely they are to be invested in your business. When Sarah remembers how her warehouse was first laid out, it would probably make any warehouse supervisor cringe. Being a process-oriented person is probably the biggest thing a warehouse manager must have. You want someone that is always looking to improve upon how things can run more efficiently, not just someone comfortable with being a cog in the wheel.
There have been moments when the warehouse has felt too small. Even now, Chris thinks they will outgrow the space sooner rather than later. In the early days of Bella Luna, they used all kinds of tricks to accommodate their growing inventory. In fact, Chris will rearrange things seasonally. Ask a candidate about a current issue in your warehouse and find out if they have any warehouse improvement techniques to offer.
You want to bring in someone that will be able to think on their feet, and not be too stunned to react when things get hectic. On a Monday morning when most people are clocking into the office and pouring a cup of coffee, Chris has already gotten a jump start on the orders that came in over the weekend.
Instead, they push him to want to be even more productive. I immediately set that as our performance goal! Distribution managers working for large companies with multiple warehouse locations will usually spend more time in offices collaborating with production managers or purchasing managers. At smaller firms, distribution managers may divide their time between the office and one or more warehouses or work exclusively in the warehouse.
Like a lot of functions related to supply chain operations, distribution management and procurement management overlap. Distribution managers and purchasing managers are both involved in inventory control and warehousing, albeit at different stages.
Purchasing managers source products and deal with inbound inventory. Distribution managers oversee outbound inventory and transport products to wholesalers and retailers. Distribution managers work closely with purchasing managers to find the best re-order levels and just-in-time inventory control systems for different products—a complicated task when a company works with multiple suppliers, receiving facilities, warehouses, and channel partners.
Supply chains depend on purchasing managers, distribution managers, inventory specialists, and logistics managers to work together smoothly. The answer to this question depends on a lot of factors, not the least of which being where you look. Then there's Salary. There's no way to know for sure which site has the most accurate information because all of them rely on user-reported data.
As you'll see below, there is a lot of variation in how much distribution managers are actually paid. The frustratingly vague answer is sometimes. That's higher than the average salaries for procurement managers, production managers, and transportation managers.
That said, distribution managers who end up in fields like retail and real estate management tend to earn less, which may be why salary aggregator sites like PayScale, Indeed, and Glassdoor report such different average salaries. The minimum education necessary to become a distribution manager is a bachelor's degree plus on-the-job training. Distribution managers need to have basic skills related to management, economics, and operations, so it's not unusual for people in this role to possess degrees in business, accounting, economics, or logistics and supply chain management.
A master's degree can open up doors in distribution that a bachelor's degree can't, and while an MBA or a master's degree in business operations can launch a career in distribution management, a Master of Science in Supply Chain Management or an MBA in Supply Chain Management is probably the best choice.
Not all supply chain master's programs cover the same ground, however. Distribution is addressed, but only in one course. Others allow students to create de facto distribution specializations via electives covering topics like:. Distribution managers do more than just get products where they need to go. This job can involve both management of personnel and inter-departmental collaboration. Strong communication skills are vital. Distribution management has become increasingly technical, which means that distribution managers need to be comfortable interacting with various IT systems that do things like managing inventory flow, monitoring stock levels, and tracking costs.
Distribution managers have to be patient problem solvers and have well-developed analytical thinking skills because they are responsible for identifying and solving logistical issues.
Patience under pressure is also a must-have skill. Finally, distribution managers need to have a broad understanding of the transportation industry and the kinds of external factors that can affect transportation timelines.
A relatively new certification for distribution managers might offer bigger returns: the Master of Distribution Management MDM credential, which is granted following the completion of an intensive multi-phase training program. Those aren't the only certifications that can help someone in this field land better distribution manager jobs.
Some distribution professionals who have their eyes on senior management positions or want to transition into other roles in supply chain management also pursue related certifications, like the Certified Supply Chain Professional CSCP credential. Having a single certification can increase a distribution manager's salary by 18 percent , and having additional certifications can lead to an even bigger income boost.
Distribution management is an interdisciplinary field that involves transportation, warehousing, stock control, procurement, and supply chain management.
Understanding the whole supply chain is important so that you can coordinate it effectively and liaise with suppliers of raw materials, manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Some companies pay bonuses, which are often arranged to take into account individual, departmental and group performance.
Extras such as company cars, stocks and shares, health insurance and pension schemes may also be available, depending on the employer and the job role. Hours of work may vary but you'll generally work around 60 hours per week. Companies that offer a hour service may operate a shift system, which may involve weekend and evening work. Part-time work may be available and freelance work and self-employment on a consultancy basis is sometimes possible, once experience has been gained.
Logistics and distribution manager jobs are open to all graduates, but a degree, HND or foundation degree in the following subject areas may help:. Only a small number of first degree and HND courses are devoted specifically to logistics and transport. However, a range of other subjects, such as business studies, economics, geography and planning, often incorporate relevant modules.
Some employers prefer graduates, while others will consider experience and personal qualities in addition to qualifications. Entry without a degree or HND has until now been fairly common, but higher education qualifications may be increasingly sought after by employers as the sector develops.
It may be possible to complete an apprenticeship in logistics and distribution. A pre-entry postgraduate qualification is not essential, but there are a growing number of Masters degrees in logistics and supply chain management.
Check employer recruitment literature to see whether a postgraduate degree will improve your chances of entry and progression.
Search for postgraduate courses in logistics and supply chain management. Related work experience, such as warehousing, storage, retail or administration, could be an advantage and is relatively easy to obtain. Many large logistics companies run graduate recruitment schemes, though competition for entry onto these schemes can be high. An alternative route is to move into logistics after beginning in another area of the supply chain, such as retail management or purchasing.
Logistics consultancies are unlikely to take on new graduates and normally require several years' experience within the industry or in strategic business planning. If you're a final-year student wishing to apply to larger companies, you'll need to check with your careers service from late October onwards for vacancy details.
Smaller companies tend to advertise throughout the year to suit their recruitment needs. Find out more about the different kinds of work experience and internships that are available. Logistics and distribution managers are employed within many different sectors, from private companies to the government. For example, you could work in retail companies, aviation organisations, rail providers or engineering firms.
A graduate training scheme allows you to experience a range of roles within logistics. Such schemes, typically lasting around 18 months to two years, may require relocation to different parts of the country or overseas.
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