Skills & Competencies for Distribution Manager

Distribution Manager job profile

JOB SUMMARY for Distribution Manager

Manages and deploys the operational strategy, business processes, and systems for overall distribution operations, including order fulfillment, warehousing, inventory management, and transportation.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES for Distribution Manager

Communicates and monitors production measurement metrics and sets performance targets at the team and individual level for all distribution-related functions that align with company objectives and are within regulatory guidelines. Utilizes data-driven analytical tools and systems to continuously monitor operations, identify inefficiencies, and develop optimization strategies. Troubleshoots and resolves escalated operational issues. Ensures all operations adhere to industry safety protocols and comply with OSHA, DOT, or other governmental regulations.

Distribution Manager SALARY RANGE

BASE 50%
$105,568
TOTAL 50%
$114,964
Job Level
M02
Job Code
MM18000013
Education/Degree
Bachelor's Degree
Reports To
Head of a Unit/Department

Distribution Manager Skills and Competencies List

Proficiency Levels and Behavioural Indicators
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Distribution Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.

12 general skills or competencies (Job family competencies) for Distribution Manager

1 Job Family Competencies – Operations Management
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Planning, controlling, organizing, and directing different operations within a business to achieve the highest level of efficiency.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains basic management and budgeting principles and techniques.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Enters daily activities into the database and operations management information systems.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Monitors expenses and budgeting to help our organization optimize costs and benefits.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees the operations departments to align with our organization's strategic goals.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops policies and best practices in supervising production processes and service delivery.
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2 Job Family Competencies – Safety Management
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Applying safety principles, framework, processes, and measures to prevent accidents, injuries, and other adverse consequences.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses different types of hazards and risks in a work environment.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows safety protocols to ensure work complies with regulatory guidelines and requirements.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs hazard assessments to identify and prevent harm at the workplace and to employees.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Integrates safety practices in our business operations to minimize workplace injuries and accidents.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Generates innovative strategies and techniques to streamline our current hazard identification processes.
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3 Distribution Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Distribution Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Distribution Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

12 soft skills or competencies (core competencies) for Distribution Manager

1 Core Competencies – Key Performance Indicators (KPI)
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Knowledge of and ability to apply a set of quantifiable measurements to determine how effectively an individual, team or organization is achieving a business objective.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the concepts and purposes of Key Performance Indicators (KPI).
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers internal and external benchmarks for KPI development.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Defines KPIs in terms of Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely (SMART) goal criteria.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Develops and delivers training programs on KPI practices to employees and managers.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes organizational Key Performance Indicators (KPI) frameworks and management processes.
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2 Core Competencies – Business Process Improvement
Proficiency Level -3
Skill definition-Proactively defining, analyzing, and streamlining existing business processes within an organization to meet new quotas or standards of quality.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains common symptoms of inefficient processes that call for business process improvement.
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Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Collects feedback directly from staff involved in the new process mapping.
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Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Manages process improvements to ensure that the entire system works efficiently.
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Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Expedites processes by switching from sequential tasks to simultaneous tasks.
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Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Leads the reorganization of the workforce based on the agreed and desired outcomes.
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3 Distribution Manager - Skill and Competency
Proficiency Level - 3
4 Skill and Competency - Distribution Manager
Proficiency Level - 4
5 Competency for - Distribution Manager
Proficiency Level - 5

Summary of Distribution Manager skills and competencies

There are 0 hard skills for Distribution Manager.
12 general skills for Distribution Manager, Operations Management, Safety Management, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), etc.
12 soft skills for Distribution Manager, Key Performance Indicators (KPI), Business Process Improvement, Budgeting, etc.
While the list totals 24 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Distribution Manager, he or she needs to be skilled in Key Performance Indicators (KPI), be skilled in Business Process Improvement, and be proficient in Budgeting.

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