Distribution Manager

Position Summary

The Distribution Manager is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and operation of the warehouse and distribution center. This role oversees both salaried and hourly team members while ensuring excellence in safety, inventory accuracy, on-time and in-full customer service, quality, and budget performance. The ideal candidate is a hands-on  supply chain leader with proven ability to deliver results in a fast-paced, high-volume distribution environment focused on meeting demanding customer expectations. Success in this role also requires strong change management skills to lead organizational improvements, strengthen team performance, and drive continuous optimization of distribution operations.

Essential Functions

Operational Management

• Direct daily distribution operations in a fast-paced, high-volume, high-SKU environment to consistently achieve customer fulfillment and service objectives.
• Optimize warehouse labor utilization, storage capacity, workflow, and full-case and broken-case picking operations to maximize efficiency and productivity.
• Evaluate and implement process improvements related to warehouse layout, picking methodologies, staffing models, inventory management, and operational workflows.
• Monitor and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to identify trends, resolve operational challenges, and drive continuous performance improvement.  
• Oversee warehouse equipment, preventative maintenance programs, and facility operations to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient performance.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, coach, and develop the distribution team to achieve performance goals in safety, quality, productivity, customer service, on-time shipments, and inventory accuracy.
• Build and lead a high-performing operations team by recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent, ensuring appropriate staffing levels.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and operational excellence through employee engagement, performance management, and professional development.

Continuous Improvement & Organizational Collaboration

• Champion continuous improvement initiatives by implementing best practices in warehouse operations, inventory control, systems integration, and distribution technologies.
• Lead capital improvement and facility optimization projects that increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and support business growth.

• Partner with customer service, Sales, Supply Chain, Purchasing, and Production teams to align distribution activities with customer requirements and business objectives.
• Develop solutions to address service challenges and improve order fulfillment, delivery performance, and customer satisfaction, and overall service levels.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure compliance with all applicable federal, state, local, and company health, safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Promote a strong safety-first culture by driving employee engagement, training, and adherence to established safety policies and procedures.
• Safeguard company assets by ensuring compliance with information security standards, asset management practices, and company policy.

Budget & Cost Management

• Manage the distribution center operating budget, including labor, equipment, supplies, maintenance, and third-party service providers.
• Monitor expenses, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement strategies that improve operational efficiency and financial performance while meeting budget objectives.

Systems & Technology Management

• Lead inventory control activities, including policy development, cycle count programs, transaction accuracy, discrepancy investigation, root cause analysis, and corrective actions to maintain inventory integrity.
• Oversee the effective utilization and continuous improvement of Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), ERP systems, and other distribution technologies.
• Ensure accurate inventory transactions and leverage technology to improve inventory visibility, productivity, order accuracy, and fulfillment performance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced computer proficiency, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound business decisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to develop strategic and operational plans, identify potential obstacles, and implement effective solutions to achieve business objectives.
• Proven experience driving continuous improvement initiatives, optimizing processes, and developing and implementing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ability to build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with internal teams, customers, suppliers, and external business partners.
• Strong leadership skills with a proven ability to recruit, develop, coach, mentor, and engage high-performing teams while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate across all levels of the organization.
• Exceptional interpersonal, collaboration, and relationship-building skills with the ability to influence and work effectively in a cross-functional environment.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Operations Management, Business Administration or related field preferred.
• Five (5) to seven (7) years of progressive leadership experience in distribution, warehouse, or logistics operation, including experience managing site operations required.
• Experience working with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems required; SAP and Extended Warehouse Management experience preferred.
• Prior experience working in a unionized environment is a plus.

Working Conditions

• The employee may experience variable working conditions in the work environment. Examples include, but are not limited to, temperature variations, dust, noise, and exposure to moving mechanical parts.

Safety

• Observe all safety issues, practice safe working habits and report any unsafe situations to a supervisor.
• Be adequately trained in lock out/tag out and all other safety related programs required by the company.
• Adhere to all environmental health and safety policies.
• Apply lean manufacturing principles to eliminate waste in production (such as participating in Safety Blitzes)

Note: The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the employee and are not be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, abilities and skills required of personnel so classified.