Distribution Manager job description

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Description - Skills - Education - Trends

Description

Distribution Managers handle the daily activities involved with the collection, receipt, and distribution of goods and materials. They use tracking and information systems to document, track and locate these products. Understanding these systems help managers resolve many problems or glitches that may occur during the shipping process; also they are able to locate missing customer materials when reported.
They receive good remunerations for their jobs and maintain a flexible schedule due to the industry in which they work. Their industry operates twenty four hours. The prospects for job advancement are very good, hence those professionals who pursue Masters or Doctoral Degrees have limitless job possibilities.
A Distribution Manager usually performs many of the following tasks:
• Re-ordering goods
• Monitoring stock levels
• Arranging the purchasing and supply of equipment
• Overseeing the ordering process
• Forecasting stock levels
• Troubleshooting problems
• Reviewing supply networks
• Evaluating quotations
• Preparing contracts

Skills

• Stress management
• Leadership and people management
• Administration and organisation
• Time management and planning
• Motivation and professionalism
• Being innovative, analytical and thorough
• Information technology
• Communication, presentation and training
• Negotiation, networking and project management
• Managing teams and human resource responsibilities
• Being positive and amicable
• Being flexible and commercially aware

Education

Employers require their Distribution Managers to be educated, informed and competent. They expect that they will pursue the relevant educational studies that will provide them with the expertise necessary to do their jobs. Having the following qualifications is also very helpful:
•    GCSE/S grades (A-C/1-3)
•    HNC/HND
•    BTEC national certificate/diploma
•    A levels
•    NVQ/SVQ
•    Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
Some managers often get their professional certification through agencies like the Department of Transport, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS), Institute of Operations Management (IOM) or the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM).
Studying the following courses or programmes will give you the needed skills for the Distribution Manager position. The programmes include International Transport, Distribution, Logistics, Warehousing, Supply Chain Management, Science, Economics, Languages, Transport Management, Information Systems, Storage Operations, or Geography. Having advanced qualifications such as a Masters Degree in Transport Management, a Masters Degree in Purchasing and Supply Chain Management, and a Masters Degree in Logistics can lead to continued job advancement.

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